News Briefs
Member Elected To Dallas City Council
An Automotive Service Association (ASA) member is involved in leading city government in the eighth largest city in the United States. Alan Walne, chairman of several Herb’s Paint and Body shops in Texas, was elected to the Dallas City Council in May. Walne’s father, the late Herb Walne, started the business in 1956.Walne, who holds a B.B.A. degree in finance from Texas Tech University, said his experience in the automotive industry primarily allows him to bring a business approach to problem solving in his new position.
"There are many needs that local government is being asked to solve. These have to be prioritized by need and cost, and the possible methods of funding must be discovered," said Walne. "In our business it is vital that you listen to your customer so that you understand their concerns and problems so that you’re working on the right thing to satisfy them. I think we all believe if government did more listening we would get a lot more done with a lot less expense."
In addition to his involvement in the automotive service industry, Walne has a long list of community and organization affiliations. Walne is filling an unexpired term of one year and will be up for re-election in May 1997.
Klompus Announces Retirement
Gene Klompus, Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) Education Foundation executive director, is retiring effective Sept. 30. With the foundation since April 1991, Klompus was instrumental in obtaining sponsorship funds for the ADVANCE-TECH curriculum and the creation of the Smart Jobs/Smart People campaign. I-CAR Education Foundation’s board of trustees has formed a search committee to find candidates to replace Klompus, and plans to fill the position by Sept. 1.Texas Students Win Ford/AAA Skills Challenge
Combining speed and accuracy to repair a deliberately "bugged" vehicle, a two-student team from Texas won the 1996 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Quality Care Challenge, a showdown of the nation’s top high school auto technicians. Joshua Garrison, 18, and Josh Lamb, 19, from Paris, Texas, competed against teams from each of the other 49 states. They will share $41,000 in scholarships and prizes. Approximately 6,000 students competed in the contest at the state level.Missouri Study To Target Entry-level Tech Issue
A test study targeting Missouri is being developed to introduce more youth to the auto body repair industry. The goal of the "Missouri Blitz" is to improve the quantity and quality of entry-level applicants for employment. In a cooperative effort of several industry groups, including the Automotive Service Association (ASA) and the Automotive Service Association Management Institute (ASAMI), an educational consultant has been hired to conduct the study.Ohio Member Featured In Inc. Magazine
Three-C Body Shop, an ASA member shop in Columbus, Ohio, was profiled in the June issue of Inc. magazine. The article follows Three-C’s ranking of 458th on the 1995 Inc. 500, an annual list of America’s fastest-growing private companies.Car Care Check Lanes Reveal Untapped Market
Nearly nine of 10 cars failed last year’s Car Care Month inspections (89 percent), according to Donna Wagner, Car Care Council’s director of operations. Common inspection failures included poor belts and hoses (30 percent), low or dirty motor oil (32 percent), emissions problems (35 percent), and topping the list was low tire pressure and/or tread wear (59 percent). With evidence of a large untapped market, the council is urging service retailers to start planning now for successful public awareness programs in October, National Car Care Month. For an event planner or more information about car care programs, contact the Car Care Council at (800) 466-5343.Moog Acquires Wynn’s Climate Systems
Frostemp Climate Systems, formerly know as Wynn’s Climate Systems, was recently acquired by Moog Automotive. Don Casey, director of marketing for Moog Temperature Control Division, said the acquisition will enable the company to be a basic manufacturer of more air conditioning parts and components.ASA Main Page || AutoInc. Main Page
TechTips || Stat Corner || News Briefs || Directions
News Briefs Extra || Taking The Hill || More Info About AutoInc.
Chairman's Message || Tech To Tech
Guest Editorial || Diversifying Your Collision Shop || National VOC Rule Sparks Congressional Interest
AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLIV No. 8, August 1996