Around ASA
ASA-New Jersey holds inspection seminars
More than 200 automotive repair professionals attended the first two of six scheduled inspection seminars sponsored by ASA-New Jersey. The seminars were held in April to inform industry members of the upcoming changes in the New Jersey state inspection program. Changes in the state inspection program took effect July 1.
The affiliate worked with the Department of Motor Vehicles to conduct the informative seminars. The department had a representative attend each of the seminars. ASA-New Jersey is pleased with the turnout for the seminars and plans to continue working with government agencies to further educate the automotive service industry.
ASA-Missouri hires new executive director
Roy Whinery, current ASA-Missouri executive director, has worked for the affiliate for 18 years and will retire at the end of this year. When Whinery began his career with ASA-Missouri, the affiliate had 35 members. Today, the affiliate has more than 460 regular members.
Ron Reiling will replace Whinery as the affiliate executive director and began working in the affiliate office on July 1. He will work closely with Whinery for the remainder of the year and assume full director responsibilities on Jan. 1, 1999.
Ron Reiling, ASA-Missouri's future executive director.
ASA-Washington member honored
Barb Saling, of Ray's Truck Service in Spokane, Wash., has been named 1997 Volunteer of the Year by Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest.
In presenting the award to Saling, Bobbi Johnson, Goodwill's president and CEO, described Saling's outstanding performance as chair of the Hospitality Room during the Goodwill Industries International Annual Delegate Assembly. Johnson also cited Saling's tireless efforts during the meeting, as well as the warm and welcoming atmosphere she provided.
Saling, along with her husband, Jerry, regularly attends most ASA local, affiliate and national functions.
Oregon member participates in NFIB conference
Shirley Benson-Bernard, AAM, owner of Automatic Transmission Specialties in Salem, Ore., served as a National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) delegate to a congressional small-business conference. Benson-Bernard was appointed to the conference by Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.).
The conference, held June 17-20 in Washington, D.C., provided small-business owners the opportunity to express their concerns regarding legislation on topics including tax codes, regulatory reform and affordable health insurance. Carl Miller, AAM, ASA chairman, also attended the conference as the association's delegate.
Member to participate in test preparation
Jerry Kezhaya, president of The Auto Shop in Plano, Texas, will participate in the revision of the Automobile Engine Performance (A8) Certification Test for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Kezhaya, an ASE master-certified technician, will meet with other industry professionals in Herndon, Va., to discuss and prepare questions for the revised test. Kezhaya has been an ASA member since 1987.
Reminder of the Month
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has available a table-top display for affiliate and chapter use. Groups may use the display free of charge. The display can be used by ASA groups for tradeshows, career days or other events.
If your affiliate is interested in reserving the display for upcoming events, please call the affiliate liaison toll-free at (800) 272-7467, ext. 213. The display is reserved on a first-come basis.
Denny Mandeville, owner of Canyon Automotive in Sedona, Ariz., is the grand prize winner of the Import Service tech tip contest. Mandeville was selected the winner for the technical tips he submitted in 1997. He received $2,500.
Mandeville has been an ASA member since 1990 and has held numerous chapter and affiliate positions, including ASA-Arizona chairman.
National News
The International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) will be held Dec. 3-6 in Dallas. To better serve industry members, NACE established a Web site. The site provides information on courses offered, as well as the expo. The site can be accessed at http://www.NACE-98.com. Online attendee registration will be available in August. The Early Bird Housing Form is currently online.
Regular members interested in being considered for the ASA national board of directors should contact the national office and request a Consideration Form; contact JoAnn Abramuk at (800) 272-7467, ext. 211. Forms must be returned by July 31, 1998.
Members of the 1999 ASA Nominating Committee are Chairman Robert D. Anderson, AAM, Anderson's Automotive Service, Sheffield Village, Ohio; Stanley Elmore, AAM, Stan's Tire & Auto Service, Lafayette, Colo.; Bob Moore, Autobody USA Inc., Springfield, Mo.; Tom Smith, AAM, Tom's Automotive Service Inc., Seattle, Wash.; and Kevin Caldwell, AAM, Autobody by Caldwell Inc., Laguna Hills, Calif.
ASA continues working to improve the consumer's perception of the automotive repair industry through its electronic Image-Network. The Image-Network is an electronic mailing list used to counter negative publicity of the automotive service industry. It is also used to distribute positive research and news about the automotive service industry to a varied audience.
A good news story recently broadcast on the Image-Network highlighted the work that Jeff Keeler, of Karma Kanic in Concord, Calif., is doing for youth who are participating in Little League Baseball.
Keeler is sponsoring two Little League Baseball teams for the fourth year. Additionally, he provides the parents of the players a discount coupon for repair service. If the parents return the coupon to Keeler's shop when they receive repair work, the ASA member contributes five percent of his labor cost to a league fund. This money is used to sponsor kids whose parents may not be able to afford gloves, fees and other expenses that come with playing Little League Baseball.
By reporting Keeler's story on its Image-Network, ASA was able to provide ideas to other automotive professionals about how they can enhance their own shop's image and the image of the industry through participation in worthwhile projects such as the Little League fund.
AutoInc.'s Eighth Annual Shop Management Software Guide || Insurer-Owned Collision Repair Shops || Managing Inventory || Electronic Claims Processing || So You Want to Train Your Employees? || 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. XLVI, July 1998 (http://www.asashop.org)