ASA-Arizona Announces New Executive Director

Effective Jan. 1, 2005, Luz Rubio took over the reins for ASA-Arizona as executive director. Rubio has been in association management for more than 17 years and earned her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation last year. She began as a clerical assistant for the Central Arizona Regional Epilepsy Society and moved up the ranks to program director.

Venturing out to explore other challenges, she was hired as the administrative assistant for the Service Station Dealers of Arizona where she was introduced to government affairs and lobbying. Rubio then served as the executive director for the Arizona Society of Association Executives for eight years. While there, she worked with volunteers to implement aggressive strategic plans to increase opportunities for volunteer involvement and membership growth.

She was then recruited to overhaul the communications system at the Arizona Motor Transport Association. Afterward, Rubio was asked to fill a vacancy at the Arizona Automotive Trade Organization (AzAuTO) that later changed its name to the Southwest Automotive Trades Alliance (SATA). Through an aggressive strategic plan, SATA went through a complete reorganization. SATA merged with the ASA-Phoenix Chapter last year, increasing the membership base and uniting the efforts of two organizations that serve the automotive industry.

Rubio replaces Bill Mason as ASA-Arizona's executive director. For 14 years, Mason served as executive director and worked diligently to increase member benefits and grow the organization's membership base. He was instrumental in establishing the affiliate's Sunrise Annual Convention and Leadership Conference held each summer. In 2005, the event will celebrate its 10-year anniversary. Mason will continue to work for ASA-Arizona through chapter visitations and membership support.

BodyShop Business Honors ASA Member as Top Executive

Jeanne Silver of Butterfield Body Works Carstar in Mundelein, Ill., received the BodyShop Business annual Collision Repair Executive of the Year Award during the 2004 International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE).

The award recognizes those who continually strive to do their best. The annual award is not intended to honor the person who has the biggest shop or the highest sales volume. The intention is to recognize individuals who have made, and continue to make, a difference in the collision repair industry.

NACE was held Nov. 3-6 in Las Vegas. The 2005 event will be held Nov. 2-5 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

ASA-Denton Chapter Holds Fourth Annual Tech Challenge

The ASA-Denton, Texas, chapter held its fourth annual Denton Area Technicians' Challenge competition Oct. 14, 2004 at the Denton Auto Mall. The event was hosted by an ASA member-business, Pro-Tech Automotive. The event included dinner, followed by the competition.

The first competition was the driveability diagnostic challenge. Three teams of two techs were each given a vehicle with three separate problems to diagnose and repair. This year's teams really knew their stuff, as the vehicles were diagnosed and repaired in record time. O'Reillys Auto Parts of Denton furnished all of the vehicles.

The next event was the Lady Tech competition, which consisted of a "pit stop" type of tire changing. The ladies were up to the challenge, did a great job and had fun.

The final event was a new addition to the competition - a creeper race. Contestants were encouraged to customize their entries. The addition of custom paint, flames and decals were encouraged with the offer of special considerations for the most colorful and creative entries.

After the creeper races, participants were presented with trophies, prizes, awards and T-shirts. Alan Calvert, ASA-Denton chapter president, and Rod Burtch, ASA-Texas president-elect, presided over the awards. Although the trophies, plaques and prizes were different, all the entries were winners.

Organizers congratulated each team on its initiative, enthusiasm and pride in its profession and organization. The annual tech competition is - and has been - the No. 1 family oriented social event of the local chapter and affords members, their families and their employees the chance to get together, socialize, network and have a good time.

ASA Names Addison Mechanical Division Manager

Robbie Addison, longtime administrator for the Automotive Service Association (ASA) Mechanical Division, has been named division manager.

The division manager works directly with the elected division director and is responsible for the communication and activities of the operations committee. Addison coordinates various projects as directed by the committee, and also maintains relationships with other industry groups in an effort to strengthen the association and better the industry.

Additionally, Addison is committed to the growth and success of the annual Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS). "I was privileged to be involved with the first CARS Exhibitor Showcase in 1998," she said. "Watching this show grow every year has been exciting. The enthusiasm of the exhibitors and attendees is extremely rewarding."

Addison began her career at ASA in 1995 as an administrative assistant in the Membership Department. She moved to the Mechanical Division in 1997 and her responsibilities have grown steadily since then. In that time, she has been dedicated to meeting the needs of ASA members and working with the Mechanical Division Operations Committee in an effort to achieve goals that benefit the entire industry.

Addison can be reached at ASA's national headquarters in Bedford, Texas. Call (800) 272-7467, ext. 224, or reach her via e-mail at robbiea@asashop.org.

CARS 2005 will be held Nov. 3-5 in Las Vegas. For the latest details, visit the CARS Web site at www.CARSonline.org.

NATIONAL NEWS

• The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) has released two studies on automotive replacement headlamps and their compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108.

  The FMVSS 108 provides standards for the performance of automotive exterior lamps and reflective devices and is required for both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the aftermarket replacement companies.

  According to CAPA's study, 87 percent of the independently manufactured replacement headlamps tested in two studies failed to conform to FMVSS 108 photometric requirements and 10 percent of the OEM replacement headlamps failed.

  At least five major insurance companies have issued notices to their direct repair program participants restricting estimates as far as the use of aftermarket headlamps and reflective devices.

  "The Automotive Service Association appreciates CAPA's efforts in its formal review of specific crash parts," said Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C., representative. "It's unfortunate the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not taken the initiative reviewing replacement crash parts being required in the repair of American automobiles. CAPA is to be commended for taking the initiative with these reports." These reports can be reviewed on CAPA's Web site, www.capacertified.org.
  

• Through the generous contributions of ASA members and industry representatives, ASA raised $2,500 for the Victory Junction Gang. As a not-for-profit organization, the Victory Junction Gang Camp was created to enrich the lives of children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses by creating camping experiences that are memorable, exciting, fun, empowering, physically safe and medically sound.

  Founded by actor Paul Newman and Kyle and Pattie Petty, the camp is provided to children ages 7-15 and their families free of charge. Victory Junction relies on the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations to meet its operating needs.