Around ASA
ASA-Oregon convention exceeds expectations
"What a way to mark the new millennium," said Rick Allison, ASA-Oregon vice president and convention chairman, following the ASA-Oregon annual convention. The convention, held Feb. 10-13 at the Westin Salishan's Resort in Gleneden Beach, Ore., greatly exceeded the affiliate's expectations.
The convention began with a Thursday night reception for the convention sponsors and exhibitors. On Friday, attendees participated in seminars on topics such as understanding the Internet and parenting skills. In addition, the convention offered an AMI seminar on how to make money in the automotive repair industry. This course earned attendees eight credits toward the institute's Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation.
On Saturday, Michael Hartman, group manager of SAIF Corp., introduced John Mitchell, US BankCorp., as the convention keynote speaker. "He had everyone in the palm of his hand with economic information that was anything but boring," said Denis Renaud, ASA-Oregon president-elect. Following the keynote was a networking luncheon that offered participants the opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise with other attendees.
The convention concluded with ASA-Oregon's first Membership Celebration Night. Cris Kuhnhausen and John Kimpton, owners of A Street Automotive and Collision in Springfield, Ore., were awarded the first annual Art Morse Shop of the Year Award by ASA-Oregon. In addition to this award, more than 30 ASA-Oregon members were also recognized. Following the awards presentation, Johnny Mock, AAM, ASA chairman, conducted the installation ceremony of incoming ASA-Oregon officers.
AMI announces second annual All-Star Seminars
Many members in the Phoenix area are gearing up for a management education opportunity in May. The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) will hold its second annual All-Star Seminars, a lineup of 13 business management classes designed specifically for automotive service professionals. The seminars will be taught by nine of AMI's leading faculty and will be held May 18-21 at the Embassy Suites - Airport in Phoenix, Ariz.
The seminars are part of AMI's accredited curriculum and will earn students credits toward the institute's Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. Students may opt to take seminars on all four days of the event, earning 40 credits, or on only two days to earn 18 credits.
To register for the All-Star Seminars, call AMI toll free at (800) 272-7467, ext. 239 or see the ad on page 29 for more information.
ASA-Washington holds successful retreat and management conference
More than 200 ASA members and guests attended the ASA-Washington Semi-Annual Retreat and Management Conference held Jan. 20-23 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle, Wash.
The four-day event opened with the annual hospitality suite on Jan. 20. The Friday morning program began with roundtable discussions for the collision, mechanical and transmission members. Johnny Mock, AAM, ASA chairman, presented an update on activities at the national level and spoke on the meaning of ASA to him. John Scully, ASA membership vice president, gave an informative presentation on membership activity and member benefits.
Saturday's events started with Tom Smith, AAM, ASA-Washington president, conducting the business meeting. Following the meeting, attendees were taught "How to Unlock the Laughter" by Judy Fountain. One of the highlights of this presentation was a marshmallow fight. "Never before have I witnessed so many men and women go to battle with such vigor," said Pete Hunt, ASA-Washington executive director. "Judy did remind us that laughter is the best medicine, which seems to be easily forgotten in our busy lives." Attendees were also made aware of their learning styles in the class, "Getting Your Message Across," taught by Cynthia Tobias of Apple Street Learning Styles.
The retreat ended with the appreciation banquet held Saturday evening. Smith presided over the banquet where the outgoing affiliate officers were honored and several special presentations were made. Mock installed the incoming ASA-Washington board of directors: Elaine Mills, AAM, Mills Automotive in Bellingham, president; Rick McCabe, McCabe's Foreign Auto in Tacoma, president-elect; Chip Keen, Hansville Repair in Hansville, treasurer; Kelly Wright, Preedy Brothers Tire Inc. in Spokane, secretary; Tom Smith, AAM, Tom's Automotive Service Inc. in Seattle, immediate past president; John Austin, A&M Body Shop in Chelan, collision division chairman; Joel Baxter, B&B Auto Repair Inc. in Bremerton, mechanical division chairman; and Neil DeBoer, Lloyd's Transmission in Olympia, transmission division chairman.
ASA-Washington saved its most prestigious award until the end of the evening. The "1999 Outstanding Member of the Year" award went to Joel Baxter, B&B Auto Repair in Bremerton. ASA-Washington's next retreat will be held June 22-25 at the Eagle Crest Resort in Oregon.
Pete Hunt named "Man of the Millennium"
During the ASA-Washington Semi-Annual Retreat and Management Conference, Jan. 20-23 in Seattle, Wash., Tom Smith, AAM, affiliate president, presented the one-time "Man of the Millennium" award to Pete Hunt, AAM, ASA-Washington executive director. "This person has been an association member for over 30 years. This person is always there to lend a helping hand or take abuse from fellow members about his stature. This person works unselfishly for the association and all its members. I'm sure everyone involved with ASA-Washington will agree with my decision to honor this very special person," said Smith during the presentation of the award.
The award was designed to recognize Hunt's relentless efforts to enhance the professionalism of ASA and its members.
Haas Named Mechanical
Division Manager
Bill Haas, AAM, has been named as the new Mechanical Division manager for the Automotive Service Association (ASA). Haas began his new position March 30.
Haas comes to ASA from Appleton, Wis. He graduated from high school in Appleton after completing a two-year automotive mechanics co-op program. Since then, Haas has always been involved in the automotive industry, whether working as a technician, shop manager, shop owner, parts counterman or instructor. He earned his Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation from Automotive Management Institute (AMI) in 1996, and has been ASE-certified since 1976.
As the Mechanical Division manager, Haas will work with original equipment and aftermarket manufacturers to develop training, technical and educational material.
Haas has been active with ASA since 1987, and has served at many levels of leadership in the organization. At the state level, he was board director of ASA-Wisconsin in 1992 and president from 1993 to 1996. From 1994 to 1996, he served as a member of the ASA Mechanical Division Operations Committee, and in 1997, Haas was appointed to the ASA board of directors as Mechanical Division director.
Outside ASA, Haas has served as chairman of the automotive technology advisory committee at Fox Valley Technical College, chairman of the Fox Cities Alliance for Education Automotive Technology Youth Apprenticeship Program, and has participated in an ASE test-writing workshop for manual transmission and drive axles. He has also been active in Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA).
Reminder of the MonthFor many people, the month of April brings anxiety and worry. April 15, of course, is the deadline for federal income tax filing. The U.S. Government has a Web site that provides good tax information.The web site can be accessed at http://www.irs.ustreas.gov. |
AutoInc. Magazine ® Vol.XLVIII, April 2000 E-mail: asainfo@asashop.org, Web Site: http://www.asashop.org Copyright © 2000 Automotive Service Association (ASA). All rights reserved.