A Tribute to
G.W. "Bud" Merwin III
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After nearly 50 years of industry and association service, G.W. "Bud" Merwin III will retire from the Automotive Service Association (ASA) in December 1998. His accomplishments during those years demonstrate Merwin's strong commitment and dedication to improve the industry through education and professionalism. Merwin's successor will be Walter F. Trapp, ASA's executive vice president and chief operating officer. Trapp will assume the position as ASA president in January 1999. |
As president and owner of a full-service mechanical, towing and collision repair business from 1951 to 1973, G.W. "Bud" Merwin III knew what it took to run the family-owned business located in Emporia, Kan. Since the young age of 15, he had been everything from a floor sweeper and window washer, to a bodyman, painter, and vice president and CEO in the business started by his father, G.W. "Bud" Merwin II.
Later, Merwin III left the shop environment to become part of the association world, and today, he heads the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind serving the automotive service industry. After more than 45 years of service, leadership and dedication to the industry, Merwin has announced he will retire from ASA in December 1998.
Merwin was a founding officer of the Automotive Service Councils (ASC) in 1973, and took his first position as director of technical services, advancing to president and chief staff officer of the association in 1974. At the time, ASC was located in Chicago, Ill. In 1986, Merwin was part of a team that merged ASC with the Independent Automotive Service Association (IASA) to form ASA. From 1986 until 1989, he served as executive vice president of ASA. In 1989, he became president and chief staff executive of the association.
During his industry service, Merwin was involved with the first national voluntary automotive technician program in 1971, the National Automotive Technicians Certification Board (NATCB). This program later merged with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) to form a uniform national testing program. Merwin was a member of the charter class of ASE, and at the time, was certified as a master technician and in auto body and refinish.
Merwin also was a founding board member of the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), established in 1974. Today, NATEF evaluates automotive education programs at the secondary and post-secondary levels. There are 1,133 automotive education programs that meet NATEF's recommended curriculum, and, therefore, have received ASE-certification.
From 1976 to 1980, Merwin was the chief administrator and organizational sponsor of the U.S. Department of Labor's $5 million grant for the establishment of the first national automotive apprenticeship program. At the same time, he was appointed by U.S. Secretary of Labor Ray Marshall to a two-year term on the Federal Committee on Apprenticeship, an advisory group to the secretary concerned with apprenticeship matters.
In 1983, he was a co-founder and director of the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE), which today has become the world's largest collision repair event. In 1997, more than 41,000 people from 81 countries attended NACE for the latest collision repair education and product displays.
Six years later, he helped develop the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) and its accredited curriculum. As a national public foundation, AMI provides management education to the automotive service industry. After 120 credits are achieved, students earn the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. In 1995, AMI awarded Merwin an honorary AAM designation to recognize his dedication to management education.
"Bud always led by example. He is a man of great integrity; a very fair-minded person and very professional," said Bob Sigel, executive director of the Heavy Duty Distribution Association and Bud's former colleague.
Today, Merwin leads a 32-member staff at ASA headquarters in Bedford, Texas. Membership in the association topped 12,100 in 1997, and ASA now provides its members with more than 25 benefit programs.
"Bud is the best thing to ever happen to the association," said Bill Donahue, owner of Donahue's Auto Service, Columbia, S.C. "We go way back. I knew him when he worked at the shop," he said. " Bud has done a great job at taking the association from its beginnings to where it is today."
"Bud's personal tenacity and personal sacrifices saved the association back in difficult times," said Ron Weiner, president of ASE. "Without his tenacity, we wouldn't be where we are today."
As for the future of the association, Merwin simply expects that his successor Walter F. Trapp will implement programs to achieve ASA's long-term goals as outlined in its Strategic Plan, and to position the association for continued growth to ensure continued success on behalf of its members.
"Bud Merwin is the glue that has held this association together over the past 25 years and under his leadership, we've evolved into the professional organization we are today. He has most assuredly given his all to the position he's held and we're definitely going to miss him when he steps down as president of ASA. Thank you, Bud, for your unending guidance and dedication to the association and the industry," said Marlene Compton, ASA-Ohio executive director.
Trapp Named Merwin Successor
At ASA's September 1997 board of directors meeting, Walter F. Trapp was named to the position of ASA president and chief staff executive, effective Jan. 1, 1999. Trapp succeeds Merwin, who will retire from ASA at the end of 1998 after more than 50 years of industry and association service.
Trapp joined ASA in 1994 as executive vice president and chief operating officer.
In this position, his responsibilities have included staff administration, budget preparations and assuming presidential duties in the absence of the president. He also provides legal counsel to the association.
During his four years at ASA, Trapp has helped develop many association programs and benefits. He has represented ASA at several industry meetings, including those with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and vehicle manufacturers, and has been a keynote speaker at many of ASA's affiliate events. He also was a member of ASA's Strategic Planning Committee as the association developed its long-term goals in 1996. In 1997, he facilitated the development of the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) Strategic Plan.
Trapp has a law degree from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, and is a member of the Texas and Kansas Bar Associations. He has a bachelor of science degree from Kansas University with a double major in business administration and economics. He also studied at the University of London School of Economics.
Trapp brought to ASA 18 years of diversified legal, financial and general management experience. Prior to joining ASA, he was vice president and treasurer for Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc. His previous positions with Mary Kay included legal director, assistant to the president and vice president of corporate development.
Prior to that, Trapp was division legal counsel for The Boeing Company and corporate attorney for Bank Four.
In his new position, Trapp plans to execute the policies of the ASA board of directors, further develop the long-term goals outlined in ASA's Strategic Plan and continue to serve the individual member's needs.
The Business of Insurance || A/C Contamination and Blends || Air Bags: On or Off? || Associations Advance America || A Tribute to G.W. "Bud" Merwin III || Guest Editorial: "Association" is key to growth. || 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, March 1998