Around ASA

By B.J. Johnson

ASA-Washington Retreat Set in Bavarian-type Village

Pictured are members of ASA-Washington board of directors

ASA-Washington held its semiannual retreat and management conference Jan. 25-28 in Leavenworth, Wash., which has a Bavarian-type village setting.

The conference offered the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) seminar, “Dispute Resolution Processes,” taught by attorney Tom Tilton and Judge Robert Donfeld. The affiliate also conducted its general business meeting, division roundtable discussions and the annual awards banquet.

Attendees enjoyed a Hawaiian luau where they were entertained by authentic Polynesian ceremonial dancers. A “loud Hawaiian shirt” contest was held during the event and was won by Cherylin Dreon for the women and David Emmons for the men.

During the Awards Banquet, several ASA-Washington members were recognized and honored for their continued commitment to the association and industry. Vern Allen, Interstate Batteries of Seattle, was presented with “The Outstanding Member of the Year” award for 2000. Allen is only the third allied member to receive this award since its inception in 1968. Special awards were given to Mary Lewis and Gini Steffy for their contributions to the ASA-Washington publication, “Washington Dateline.” Also honored was the ASA-Washington Ascettes board of directors, which includes Tonica Mitchell, president; Cindy Cushman, vice president; Esther Rehwalt, treasurer; and Lorene Hill, secretary.

Howard Lewis, ASA chairman, and wife, Mary
Howard Lewis, ASA chairman, presented special awards to his wife, Mary, and his office manager, Marie Guderjohn, for their support as he served as national chairman. Also during the banquet, the 2001 ASA-Washington board was installed. Officers for the upcoming year are Elaine Mills, president; Rick McCabe, president-elect; Chip Keen, treasurer; Kelly Wright, secretary; Tom Smith, immediate past president; John Austin, collision division chairman; Alan Mitchell, collision division vice chairman; Joel Baxter, mechanical division chairman; Brian Johnson, mechanical division vice chairman; Vern Allen, allied member division chairman; Neil DeBoer, transmission division chairman; Tonica Mitchell, Ascettes president; Luther Taylor, historian and parliamentarian; Ed Cushman, insurance committee chairman; and Scott Tveten, environmental committee chairman.

To close the retreat, ASA-Washington held a pajama party for attendees. Participants were encouraged to wear their most creative nighttime apparel. The pajama party was a first for the affiliate and, based on the response, will likely become a tradition.

The retreat was an overwhelming success with more than 150 attendees. ASA-Washington and its members surely know how to have a great time.

New Member Benefit Available

ASA is pleased to announce a new member benefit provided by AutoRocket.com. Through the AutoRocket.com Web-based services, ASA national member shops will have the opportunity to increase the visibility and marketability to both existing and prospective customers.

AutoRocket.com is a Web browser subscription-based service that doesn't require shops to invest in software installation, data storage capacity, or expensive hardware. AutoRocket.com provides participating shops an eight-page Web site along with programs such as site builders, automated service reminders, and management tools.

Every ASA national member is eligible for the AutoRocket.com benefit program. Those who participate will receive a 50 percent discount on the one-time setup fee and also save 30 percent on monthly maintenance fees. For more information on this benefit, contact ASA's membership department at (800) 272-7467, ext. 295, or visit the “Membership Benefits” section of the ASA Web site (www.asashop.org).

ASA-Arizona to Hold “Christmas in July”

ASA-Arizona has announced that its Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference will be held July 21-22 at the Prescott Resort in Prescott, Ariz. The two-day event, named “Christmas in July,” will feature an awards banquet, two technical classes, and an Automotive Management Institute (AMI) seminar taught by Judge Robert Donfeld and Thomas Tilton. In addition, Bill Haas, AAM, ASA Mechanical Division manager, will be the guest speaker at the event.

For more information, contact ASA-Arizona at (602) 679-2474.

NATIONAL NEWS

ASA supported a bill (Arkansas House Bill 1285) that was introduced by Arkansas state Rep. Jim Bob Duggar, R-Springdale. The bill addresses the priority of liens and ensures that repair shop owners have some protection when a vehicle has been left in their possession.

The Arkansas Senate in 1999 passed a bill, which later became law, that allowed banks and financial institutions to repossess vehicles in the repair, body shop and towing service possession without payment for the work performed. This left many shop owners without recourse to receive payment for services rendered.

House Bill 1285 seeks to change the lien process. The bill allows repair, body and towing shops to retain the vehicle until payment is made for services and storage. It protects banks and financial institutions by requiring a notice to be sent to the owner and lienholder that the vehicle has been abandoned. If the debt is not paid in 45 days, the vehicle can be considered abandoned and may be sold to the public for payment to the repair, body shop or towing service.

ASA is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2001. A special celebration marking this milestone will be held during the ASA Annual Convention April 23-28 at the Westin Maui Hotel in Maui, Hawaii.

For convention registration information, contact the ASA meetings department at (800) 272-7467, ext. 241 or ext. 235.

ASA has expanded its member listings on the "Find Nearest ASA Shop" section of the Web site. The section now allows consumers to locate all ASA members, regardless of their level of membership. For example, all “chapter only” members that ASA has on file can be found. The ASA Web site can be accessed at www.asashop.org.

Rate This Article:

ASA Main Page || AutoInc. Main Page || GAO Reviews Replacement Crash Parts || ASA, EPA Offer New Greenshops Program || Collision Division Operations Committee Tackles Issues || OSHA: Inspecting Your Shop for Safety Hazards || Violence in the Workplace || The Growing Importance of Vehicle Safety Inspection Programs || 50th Anniversary Column || Guest Editorial || Tech to Tech || Tech Tips || News Briefs || Taking the Hill || Around ASA || Net Worth || Stat Corner || Shop Profile || Chairman's Message