FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., March 30, 2026 – DG Technologies is proud to announce that its president and founder, Mark Zachos, has received one of the trucking industry’s most distinguished honors for his contributions in the areas of network communications and vehicle cybersecurity. Zachos was one of four people last week to be presented the prestigious Silver Spark Plug award in Nashville, Tenn., at TMC’s 2026 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition, the spring meeting of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC). The Silver Spark Plug is TMC’s highest distinction, bestowed annually on individuals who demonstrate professional excellence in commercial vehicle maintenance and improved equipment and components that result in increased efficiency and safety for commercial highway transportation. “Our winners represent the highest level of expertise and ability in our industry,” said TMC Executive Director Robert Braswell. In Nashville for the annual meeting and to help the DG Technologies sales team promote the company’s new DGDiagnostics software, its newest DPA XL PRO vehicle diagnostic device and its Truck-Connect online suite of engineering and diagnostic software, Zachos said he was surprised and thrilled to hear his named called. Scott Bartlein of Truck Fleet Management, Taki Darakos of PITT OHIO and Jack Legler of TMC/ATA were also awarded the honor. Zachos is considered an industry expert in vehicle communication and cybersecurity. His company, DG Technologies, which he founded as The Dearborn Group in 1987 outside of Detroit, specializes in engineering and manufacturing diagnostic tools used by engineers and technicians throughout the auto, truck and bus industries and the U.S. military. In 2019, the company acquired Synercon Technologies, taking over its manufacturing of crash data recovery tools used by law enforcement agencies throughout the country. A member of TMC since 2009, Zachos’s work with the organization helps create standards that are followed by the entire industry. He currently chairs the Cybersecurity Task Force as part of TMC’s S.5 Fleet Maintenance Management Study Group and is also part of the S.12 Onboard Vehicle Electronics Study Group. Zachos has also been active in the council’s Technology & Educator and Future Truck committees and has worked on the Health Ready Component Standards, Root Cause Analysis, Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS) Codes, Device Security, Open Wireless and RP 1210 Update task forces. He chairs, and works with his team from DG Technologies to run the Cybersecurity Station every fall at TMCSuperTech and he is a regular guest on TMC’s satellite and internet radio segment “Tech Talk with TMC” with Braswell and Dave Nemo. In presenting the award, TMC 2025-2026 General Chairman Radu Mihai said of Zachos, “He has served TMC for more than two decades, providing leadership and training in cybersecurity and network communications, and he has helped develop the council’s thought leadership in these areas.” To qualify for the Silver Spark Plug award, a TMC member must demonstrate clear industry leadership, at least five years of active service in support of TMC leadership or activities and contributions of new ideas, practices or innovations that have contributed materially to improvement of management and maintenance of commercial motor vehicles. “TMC’s members keep our industry moving and these four individuals represent the highest level of the professional excellence the council strives for,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “More than half of the 8.4 million people employed by the trucking industry do something other than drive a truck, and without them, our nation’s good would not be delivered to our stores, hospitals and factories,” Spear said. “These individuals are examples to all of us in this industry and we are proud to honor them with this award.” Upon receiving the award, Zachos was thrilled to send word back to his Michigan office. “This honor truly belongs to our entire DG team and it was made possible by your dedication to serving our customers,” he said. “I am proud to act on behalf of all of you at TMC.” For further information: Dearborn Group, Inc. General Contact: John McNelis Visit our website: www.dgtech.com Follow us! 
DG Technologies’ Mark Zachos Receives Top Trucking Industry Award
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