Around ASA
ASA-Ohio holds successful convention
The 42nd Annual ASA-Ohio Convention was held Nov. 6-9, 1997, in Findlay, Ohio. The convention offered two Automotive Management Institute (AMI) seminars, a board of directors meeting, several spouses programs, area tours and the annual awards breakfast. This year's convention was hosted by the ASA-Blanchard Valley chapter.
Announcement of the affiliate's new board was made during the board of directors meeting. The following members will serve on the ASA-Ohio board: President, Dan Billman, AAM, J & J Trucking & Salvage in Elyria; President-elected, Earl Dohner, AAM, E&E's Garage in Brookville; Secretary, Jeff Bach, CRT Auto Electronics in Batavia; Treasurer, Dale Wingate, AAM, Wingate Body Shop, Inc. in Findlay; and Assistant Treasurer, Fred Michaels, AAM, Guthrie & Michaels in Willard, Ohio.
Pictured (l to r) are the ASA-Ohio board of directors: Bach, Dohner, Billman, Wingate and Michaels.
ASA-New Jersey plans legislative action
ASA-New Jersey is urging its members and other members of the New Jersey automotive industry to support two bills awaiting consideration by the state's Senate Commerce Committee. The bills regulate the use of aftermarket parts for auto body repairs.
Under the measure, auto body repair facilities must "use parts sufficient to maintain the manufacturer's warranty for fit, finish, structural integrity, corrosion resistance, dent resistance and crash performance," for any vehicle four years old or less. The legislation would still allow the use of aftermarket parts if the car owner desires them, but would protect against the insurance companies making the decision for them. Any repair shop that plans to use replacement parts must inform the car owner in bold type attached to the estimate. Repair shops must inform the customer of the manufacturer of the part being used, and whether or not it is certified by the original car manufacturer.
For more information, contact ASA-New Jersey at (908) 526-8722.
NACE attendees win at ASA booth
The International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) was held Dec. 4-7, in Las Vegas. This year, AutoInc., the official publication of ASA, asked visitors to the ASA booth to vote on their favorite AutoInc. cover. A drawing was held of those who participated and John R. Gatesman, Gatesman Auto Body CARSTAR in Lucinda, Pa., won a poster-size, laminated AutoInc. cover. Gatesman has been an ASA member since 1995.
In addition, the ASA membership department gave away a KODAK DC-120 digital camera donated by Mitchell International. By joining ASA during NACE, Dave Levinthal, Dave's Auto Body & Service in Westchester, Calif., was the lucky winner of the camera.
Member receives Green Star award
Minnesota Gov. Arne H. Carlson recognized 98th Street Auto Service in Bloomington, Minn., as a recipient of a "Green Star" by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The shop was selected for completing environmental audits in several areas of its operations. The Green Star awards signify successful participation in the MPCA's innovative Environmental Auditing Program. "The Green Star awards are important because they identify businesses that have taken the initiative to make sure that they are in compliance with environmental laws," said Carlson.
John Elling, MPCA's Air Quality Division inspector, presented the award to Eric Caple, owner of 98th Street Auto Service and Corie Curtis, 98th Street's service advisor, on Nov. 13. This marks the first time an automotive repair facility has won the prestigious award.
ASA-Kansas City program fights drugs in the workplace
ASA-Kansas City and the local Chamber of Commerce are working together to provide affiliate members with the Drugs Don't Work Program. This new affiliate benefit will assist members in developing and implementing a drug-free workplace policy and program for their businesses. The program consists of five components: substance abuse, supervisor training, assistance program, employee assistance program and drug testing.
All affiliate members are eligible to participate in this program. There is no cost for the substance abuse policy, up to five hours of legal assistance or the discounted drug testing. The employee assistance program is available for $18.95 per employee.
ASA-Oregon holds annual membership drive
To share the benefits of ASA with area automotive repair shops, ASA-Oregon annually holds two membership drives - one in the spring and one in the fall. The fall drive, held in September, paired association members with Tommy Boliver, ASA membership coordinator, for recruitment purposes. The September drive increased ASA-Oregon's membership by 17 initially. Six additional businesses joined after the drive as a direct result of volunteer contact. The affiliate is pleased with the results and is grateful to all who volunteered their time for the association.
The ASA membership department recruiting staff is available to assist ASA chapters and affiliates with recruiting. For more information, contact Cate Brennan-Lisak, vice president, membership, toll-free at (800) 272-7467.
Condolences
Our condolences go to the family and friends of Gerald E. Shouse, who passed away Nov. 17, 1997. Shouse was owner and president of Shouse Collision Repair, Inc., in Shreveport, La., and had been an association member for more than 20 years.
Reminder of the Month
Voting for the Automotive Service Association (ASA) national board of directors opened Jan. 5, 1998, and closes Feb. 22, 1998. To vote, call (800) 868-3272. See a list of candidates in this issue of AutoInc.
National News
- The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced that Randy Pickering, AAM, has been appointed Mechanical Division Director, a vacancy created by the departure of Bill Haas.
- ASA announced plans to pursue legislation at both the state and national levels to regulate the use of replacement crash parts. The initiative was announced at a Dec. 6 press conference of representatives from ASA and the vehicle manufacturers at the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE).
- Members of the Texas Blitz education campaign met Dec. 17, 1997, in Austin, Texas. The meeting brought together ASA and industry representatives, as well as Dr. J.R. Cummings, assistant commissioner for Federal Public Policy of the Texas Education Agency; Ann Dorsey, Texas Skill Standards Board; Ron Curry, program director for Workforce Education; and Ann Pennington, supervisor, Texas Education Agency. ASA and industry representatives requested areas of assistance from the educators. The requests were: to require all vocational/technical education training programs for automotive and collision repair be ASE certified by July 1, 2000; the State Superintendent of Public Instruction encourage youth and parents to consider the opportunities in the 80 percent of the occupations that do not require a baccalaureate degree; and a state level individual be identified to work with industry representatives to achieve these goals.
The purpose of the Texas Blitz campaign is to improve the quality of existing training programs for both automotive and collision repair entry-level technicians at both the secondary and post-secondary levels through ASE certification of the programs. The campaign is also designed to encourage qualified youth to enroll in such training programs.
- ASA met with Florida officials to discuss replacement crash parts legislation. This is part of ASA's initiative announced at NACE to pursue legislation that would require authorization and consent from vehicle owners prior to the installation of replacement crash parts.
U.S. Congress Set to Debate Kyoto Agreement || Paint Manufacturer and Body Shop: An Evolving Relationship || Scoring a Hat Trick with Alternative Fuels || Attracting Students to the Automotive Service Industry || Guest Editorial: Getting back in the game || Tech to Tech || Tech Tips || News Briefs || Taking the Hill || Around ASA || Shop Profile || Net Worth || Stat Corner || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLVI, February 1998