Around ASA

By B.J. Johnson

ASA Challenges Affiliates

Each year during the ASA Annual Convention, ASA recognizes the largest affiliate delegation attending. This year will be no exception. ASA affiliate with the largest delegation attending will receive a hosted reception in their honor in the Chairman's suite.

The 2001 ASA Annual Convention will be held April 23-28 at the Westin Hotel in Maui, Hawaii. Affiliates are encouraged to begin promoting the award to its members. The ASA-Illinois Mechanical Division affiliate won the award at the 2000 ASA Annual Convention in Point Clear, Ala.

Convention registration and housing information was mailed to all ASA members in November. The 2001 convention marks ASA's 50th anniversary and special activities have been planned to celebrate this milestone.

ASA-North Carolina Goes Online

ASA-North Carolina recently launched its newly developed Web site: http://www.asanc.org. The site offers information on upcoming events, affiliate news and member benefits. In addition, the site offers an employment section where members may post open positions. Visitors to the site may also view a list of current ASA-North Carolina members.

ASA-Oregon Gears Up for Annual Convention

The 2001 ASA-Oregon Annual Convention will be held Feb. 22-25 at the Westin Salishan Resort in Gleneden Beach, Ore. ASA-Oregon's goal for this year's convention is to provide attendees with real-life ideas to help meet the ever-changing demands of today's economy.

The four-day event will offer attendees two Automotive Management Institute (AMI) seminars, an industry information panel, an awards ceremony and much more. ASA-Oregon will also install officers and provide mechanical and collision division roundtable discussions.

The convention will also offer an exhibition of the latest equipment and products for the automotive industry. Attendees will have several opportunities throughout the convention to meet and talk with exhibitors.

For more information, contact ASA-Oregon at (503) 682-8630.

Member Wins Trip to Maui

Lev Frank, Hilton Auto Collision Center in Pasadena, Calif., was a big winner at the 2000 International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE).

Frank, who joined ASA during the show, was the lucky person whose key opened a treasure chest that contained a trip to the ASA Annual Convention in Maui. He will receive round-trip airfare, two nights lodging at the Westin Hotel and a complimentary registration to the convention.

ASA sponsored the prize and will celebrate its 50th anniversary during the convention. The convention will be held April 23-28 in Maui. NACE was held Dec. 7-10 in Orlando, Fla.

ASA-Illionois Mechanical Division Plans Training Event

The ASA-Illinois Mechanical Division will hold a training program and tradeshow Feb. 17 at the Technology Center of DuPage in Addison, Ill. The one-day event will offer emission control technical information, as well as business management programs.

In addition to the education program, attendees will also have the opportunity to view the latest in mechanical products and services during the tradeshow.

For more information, contact ASA-Illinois at (708) 389-3149.

ASA Member Names NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year

Gregory P. Falkner, owner of Falkner's Auto Service Inc. in West Seneca, N.Y., received the NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year award for 2001.

NAPA Auto Parts issues the award each year to an automotive technician who demonstrates superior technical skills and business practices, shows a commitment to customer service and training, and supports the community in which his business operates and demonstrates outstanding service to the automotive repair and maintenance industry. A panel of former winners, automotive press editors and the president of ASE judge nominees.

Falkner's Auto Service Inc. has been an ASA member since 1988.

NATIONAL NEWS

ASA released crash parts and direct repair state analyses at the recently held NACE 2000 in Orlando, Fla. These reports are designed to assist repairers, policymakers and the media in determining what state laws and regulations are in place around the country.

Russell Wilson, Lou's Autobody CARSTAR in Milwaukee, and Paul Spohrleder of Reliable Auto Service, also in Milwaukee, were honored recently as the highest-scoring ASA members on National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification tests.

During ASE's Industry Awards Ceremony, Robert Anderson, AAM, former ASA board chairman, presented the ASA/ASE Master Collision Repair/Refinish Technician of the Year Award to Wilson.

Donald Seyfer, AAM, also a former ASA board chairman, presented Spohrleder his ASA/ASE Master Automobile Technician of Year Award.

ASA filed comments recently with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in response to proposed amendments to vehicle inspection and maintenance program requirements. ASA raised concerns about the conflict of interest with OBD manufacturers being affiliated with franchised car dealers operating inspection and maintenance programs. Approximately 20 environmental, consumer and public health organizations raised the same concerns.

Reminder of the Month

Voting for the ASA national board of directors opened Jan. 14, 2001, and closes Feb. 28, 2001. To vote, call (800) 868-3272.

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