Around ASA
AMI All-Star program a success
From April 29-May 2, 150 shop owners and managers from around the country gathered in Palm Desert, Calif., to attend the first-ever Automotive Management Institute (AMI) All-Star Spring Seminars.
The event featured 10 of AMI's All-Star instructors and 18 business management seminars on topics including image, sales, electronic marketing, hiring, telephone skills and IRS guidelines.
The seminars, designed specifically for automotive service professionals, were part of AMI's accredited curriculum and students earned credits toward the institute's Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation.
"Based on the input from Palm Desert as well as survey responses, the All-Star Seminar not only met, but exceeded, expectations," said AMI President Charles D. Groves, AAM. He added, "When the seminar is viewed in the strict context of a business action, it encompasses all of the goals contained in the institute's Strategic Long-range Plan. We will continue to review this year's seminar with the intent to schedule a similar event next year."
ASA-Florida employs new executive director
"ASA-Florida has hired a veteran association manager as its new executive director," said Don Stone, ASA-Florida affiliate president.
Chuck Cook assumed the duties effective May 15, 1999. He replaces Don Toomey, who resigned to pursue new ventures.
Cook served in association management positions for 26 years in both Florida and New Jersey. He was executive director of the Florida Association of School Administrators in Tallahassee when he took early retirement to manage his own business. He is experienced in all facets of association management, and is a skilled conference planner.
He worked for Florida and New Jersey teacher organizations for 12 years as media director, communications director and conference planner. Cook worked 14 years with school administrators in a variety of positions, and served the final 16 months as the association's CEO.
Prior to his affiliation with associations, Cook served with newspaper and television stations in Georgia and Florida. He holds a journalism degree from the University of Georgia and served as news reporter, editorial page writer, columnist and managing editor with newspapers.
"Cook will begin immediately producing a bi-monthly newsletter, handling the association's database and membership records, financial accounting and dues billing, and preparations for the affiliate's annual meeting and several regional workshops for members," said Stone.
ASA-Washington adds prepaid legal services as member benefit
ASA-Washington has added prepaid legal services to its list of affiliate member benefits. Prepaid legal services provide member-businesses with affordable access to the legal system.
This plan places emphasis on preventative law, taking care of potential legal problems before they reach crisis proportions financially and emotionally.
The program provides ASA members with access to a nationwide network of major law firms that provide services including unlimited toll-free consultations, legal document review, writing letters or making phone calls on the member's behalf.
The benefit is available to affiliate members at a special ASA rate of $11.50 per month. Memberships are month-to-month and can be canceled by the member at any time.
ASA-Colorado announces apprenticeship programa
ASA-Colorado has implemented a four-year, 8,000-hour Apprenticeship Program for Automotive Technicians. The design and development phase has resulted in a program that has 10 apprentices attending classes at Front Range Community College (FRCC) in Westminster, Colo.
The program offers four years of hands-on training with three years of technical training at FRCC. ASA-Colorado apprentices work full time in the shop and attend classes one day per week, from noon to 9:30 p.m. each Wednesday.
This schedule allows the apprentice to apply the knowledge they obtain in the classroom to real-life experiences in the shop. During the first three years of classroom training, the apprentices have the opportunity to obtain certification in the eight basic ASE skills areas. After completing each semester, the apprentices are prepared to obtain the corresponding ASE certification.
The affiliate program, which is approved by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Apprenticeship, provides a portable, nationally recognized, credential for apprentices. When combined with an Associate of Applied Science degree from the FRCC and the completion of the eight ASE certifications, the Department of Labor certificate becomes a permanent credential.
When this knowledge is integrated with four years of full-time hands-on shop experience, the apprentices become competent journeyman technicians with credentials recognized throughout the automotive service industry.
AMI and ASA-Illinois mechanical division offer management education
The Automotive Management Institute and the ASA-Illinois mechanical division affiliate offered nine business management education classes June 18-19, at the Holiday Inn - O'Hare in Rosemont, Ill. The seminars were designed specifically for automotive service professionals.
Participants earned credits toward the Institute's Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. Students could take seminars on both days earning 18 credits, or on only one day to earn 12 credits.
The two-day event attracted 74 attendees from five states.
Reminder of the month
The Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) will be held Nov. 4-7, at the Flamingo Hilton in Las Vegas. The program will include business management seminars offered by the Automotive Management Institute (AMI), which will earn attendees credit toward the Institute's Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. In addition to management education, CARS will offers seven technical courses.
CARS will follow the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) trade show, which will be held Nov. 2-5 at the Sands and Las Vegas Convention Centers in Las Vegas.
NATIONAL NEWS
The Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina (IGONC) has joined ASA as its newest affiliate group. "For many years ASA has worked hand in hand with IGONC. Both organizations share the same mission of promoting and enhancing the independent automotive service industry," said ASA Chairman Johnny Mock, AAM. "We are happy to welcome them as an affiliate."
ASA has an existing affiliate in North Carolina, ASA-N.C. The terms of the IGONC affiliation call for it and ASA-North Carolina to collaborate on projects and meetings for two years. Then the groups will likely merge.
The NACE Early Housing Form has been added to the NACE Web site ( http://www.NACE-99.com). The cut-off for reservations is Nov. 5, 1999. The form may be submitted electronically or printed and returned by fax or mail. NACE will be held Dec. 2-5, in Atlanta, Ga.
Keith Kumler
Friends, family, partners and acquaintances are mourning the loss of Keith A. Kumler, 59, of Lancaster, Ohio, and owner of Kumler Collision Inc. Keith died Sunday, July 4, as a result of injuries from a boating accident on Buckeye Lake near Newark, Ohio.
Kumler was an ASE certified technician. He served on the ASA national Collision Division Operations Committee, was the Collision Division chairman of ASA-Ohio, and he was a board member of the Ohio Board of Motor Vehicle Collision Repair Registration. Kumler also was the past president of the ASA-Central Ohio chapter, and he was past chairman of the Ohio Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).
Dean DeRolph, Kumler's partner since 1985, said Kumler's love for his business and community was superseded only by his love for his family. "He loved the business, Kumler Collision, he had taken over from his father. He did a great job with it after he took over. He was incredibly honest. The thing I remember is that he was always upbeat. He used to tell anyone who asked him how he was, 'I'm phenomenal,' and you'd believe it. He was just always upbeat and happy," said DeRolph. Keith will be greatly missed.
Services were held July 8 at Maple Grove Cemetery in Lancaster, Ohio.
Kumler is survived by Barbara Kumler, wife; Kimberly and Shay Devitt, daughter and son-in-law; Kellie Kumler, daughter; Keith A. and Catherine Kumler, son and daughter-in-law; Kurt Kumler, son; and three grandchildren.
A scholarship fund in Kumler's memory has been established. Contributions may be sent to: Keith Kumler Scholarship Fund, Fairfield County Foundation, 109 N. Broad St., Lancaster, Ohio 43130.
According to those who knew him best, Kumler knew how to live life to the fullest. Every person he touched left the room with a smile, a chuckle, or a full blown belly-laugh from one of his jokes or pearls of wisdom.
USA Today Misses Clean Air Mark || Fleeting Thoughts || Refinishing Nightmares || Designing Your Own Tech || Guest Editorial || Tech to Tech || Tech Tips || News Briefs || Taking the Hill || Around ASA || Net Worth || Stat Corner || Shop Profile || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ® Vol.XIVII, August 1999
E-mail: asainfo@asashop.org, Web Site: http://www.asashop.org
Copyright © 2000 Automotive Service Association (ASA). All rights reserved.