By Jim Keller, AAM
This month my year as the Automotive Service Association chairman comes to an end. What an incredible year this has been. I've always heard that the measure you receive is determined by the measure you give. This has proven to be true with my ASA experience.
At the beginning of my tenure, I believed this was a selfless, noble undertaking. I was motivated by a desire to actively participate in advancing ASA and the industry. Twelve months later, that same desire still motivates me. But, what I know now that I didn't know then is that I have received many personal rewards. I've traveled the nation on ASA business and met hundreds of individuals who share the same selfless motivation to elevate our industry.
Summarizing a hectic, exciting and energizing year in the space of this column isn't difficult. All I really need are two words: thank you.
Foremost, I want to thank you, my fellow ASA member stakeholders, for allowing me this opportunity to serve you and this association. ASA isn't mortar and bricks. Rather, ASA is more than 12,000 individuals in 50 states and 14 countries who go to work every morning serving their customers and repairing vehicles. Thank you ASA affiliates and chapters who provide important opportunities for training, networking, trade shows and even some fun on local and regional levels.
Thank you, ASA board members - 12 shop owners willing to sacrifice their time studying a multitude of issues, association budgets, legislative initiatives and more. Twelve individuals who put aside personal opinions to look at the bigger picture and consider the perspective of 12,000 fellow ASA members. Twelve advocates for independent aftermarket automotive professionals.
Thank you, attendees and exhibitors, who ensure ASA's Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) and the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) are unequaled venues for providing education, camaraderie and new technologies.
Thank you to the ASA member stakeholders who voluntarily serve on the mechanical and collision operations committees. These individuals are the first-team offense advancing the industry for everyone's benefit.
Thank you, information providers, insurers and paint company representatives, for attending ASA collision meetings and listening to the concerns of the repairers. Thanks, also, to those organizations that hosted ASA mechanical or collision division meetings.
Thank you, ASA staff. Working with the national and affiliate staffs, I can attest to their professionalism and their commitment to our industry. Figuratively speaking, their knuckles bear the scars.
Thank you, Automotive Management Institute and instructors, for answering the need for management education tailored to our industry.
In advance, I want to thank tomorrow's leaders. I hope this includes you. For your sake and for ASA's sake, be one of those willing to stay involved. Come to CARS. Come to NACE. Come to the ASA Annual Convention. Serve on one of the operations committees. Serve on the board of directors. Learn. Grow. Give. Receive.
Our industry needs your leadership.
Thank you.
