Prominent ASA Leader Passes Away

Allen C. Richey, former ASA chief executive officer, passed away April 21, 2004. He was 80. Allen was born and grew up in East Texas and later graduated from SMU with a degree in journalism after fulfilling his military obligation as a member of the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Richey began his association career as editor of a monthly magazine published by the 11-member Independent Garagemen's Association (IGA) of Texas. As his responsibilities with IGA grew, he worked to provide training and education to association members. His vision for offering training and education to the automotive repair and service industry was realized in the formation of the Automotive Management Institute (AMI).

As a result of his life-long devotion and commitment to the industry, Richey was instrumental in the successful merger of two renowned automotive associations, the Automotive Service Councils and the Independent Automotive Service Association, to form what is now ASA.

He served as the executive director of the Independent Garagemen's Association, the Independent Automotive Service Association and, until his retirement in 1989, the chief executive officer of ASA.

Richey received the Distinguished Service Citation from the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1990. The citation recognizes an individual who has significantly improved the industry or their respective organization. Richey will long be remembered for his contributions to ASA and the automotive industry.

Richey is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jean; son, Michael; and daughter-in-law, Georgia.

ASA-Texas to Hold Automotive Show

The ASA-Texas affiliate will hold its annual Southwest Regional Automotive Show (SRAS) Sept. 24-26 at the Marriott Houston Westchase Hotel in Houston. The event will offer technical courses and Automotive Management Institute (AMI) seminars. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to view the latest automotive products and services during the event's trade show.

For more information, contact Charles Parker, ASA-Texas executive director, at (800) 606-2728.

Maryland Member Named Business Person of the Year

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced that Brian England, AAM, of British American Auto Care Inc., an Automotive Service Association (ASA) member, has been selected as the 2004 Maryland Small Business Person of the Year.

The selection for this award was based on several criteria including staying power, a significant history as an established business, growth in the number of employees, increase in sales and or unit volume, innovation of product or service offered, response to adversity and contributions by the nominee to aid in community-oriented projects.

"It is a tremendous honor to receive this award from the Maryland Small Business Administration - not only for me, but for the industry as a whole. I would not be where I am today without support from ASA, its management courses and the community," said England.

England has been a longtime ASA member and earned his Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation in 1996 from the Automotive Management Institute (AMI).

Around ASA in September 2000 reported England's winning the national 2000 Energy Star for Small Business Award. England's shop was featured in the Shop Profile section of the February 2002 AutoInc. and in the January 2002 issue of AutoInc., his shop was cited for having one of the Top 10 Automotive Repair Web Sites.

ASA-Texas Chapter to Offer Education Event

The ASA-Ft.Worth/Tarrant County, Texas, chapter will hold a two-day technical and management education event June 12-13 at the Shannon Learning Center in Haltom City, Texas. The event will offer two, eight-hour technical courses and one management seminar. In addition to the seminars, attendees will be treated to a complete Texas barbecue lunch.

Classes offered for the event are:

• "OBD II - Genysis Scan Tool," Instructor: James Jackson
• "Power Stroke Diesel," Instructor: Fred Franks
• "OBD II - Avoiding the Pitfalls and Comebacks of OBD II," Instructors: Betty Jo and Glenn Young, AAM

Registration fees for the technical courses are $50 each for ASA members and $100 each for nonmembers. The management seminar fee is $25.

For more information and to register, contact Jenny Westbrook, TDJ Events, at (713) 725-1895, or John Firm, ASA-Ft. Worth/Tarrant County chapter president, at (817) 834-1300.

NATIONAL NEWS

In elections held earlier this year, Automotive Service Association members elected Earl Dohner, AAM, of Brookville, Ohio, as mechanical division director. Dohner serves on ASA's board of directors and chairs the 2004 ASA mechanical division operations committee.

The remaining members of the operations committee were named by ASA's board and include Rolf Werner, AAM, Aurora, Colo., who is serving as assistant division director.

In addition to Dohner and Werner, returning committee members are Robert Ayers, Santa Barbara, Calif.; Aaron Clements, AAM, Augusta, Ga.; Bill Moss, Manassas, Va.; and Joe Torchiana, West Chester, Pa. New to the committee are Mike Koebke, San Antonio; Terry Steenholdt, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Don Vidoli, Fairfield, Conn.; Dave Walter, Carol Stream, Ill.; and Bob Wills, Battle Creek, Mich.

The 11 members of the ASA mechanical division operations committee represent shops of varying sizes from across the United States. The committee works on behalf of all ASA mechanical members to advance and promote the automotive service and repair industry.

In 2004, ASA members also elected Michael Anderson, Alexandria, Va., as collision division director. Anderson will serve on ASA's board of directors and chair the 2004 ASA collision division operations committee.

The remaining members of the operations committee were named by ASA's board and include Darrell Amberson, AAM, Bloomington, Minn., who is serving as assistant division director.

In addition to Anderson and Amberson, returning committee members are Chuck Sulkala, AAM, Boston; Jerry Burns, AAM, Rio Rancho, N.M.; Myron Hazen, AAM, East Moline, Ill.; Carroll Proctor, Augusta, Ga.; and Harry Moppert, Morton, Pa. New to the committee are Russ Verona, AAM, Rockford, Ill.; Ron Nagy, AAM, Doylestown, Ohio; Steve McDonnel, Phoenix; and Dan Bailey, Overland Park, Kan.

The 11 members of the ASA collision division operations committee represent shops of varying sizes from across the United States. The committee works on behalf of all ASA collision members to advance and promote the collision repair industry.