It is an honor to assume the position of ASA chairman. It's especially exciting to do so on the association's 50th Anniversary.

The fact that ASA has existed for half a century stands as a testimony to the many great leaders who have gone before us, carrying the ideas and ideals of professionalism among the rank of automotive service providers.

To those who chartered the association May 31, 1951, and to all ASA leaders since, I would like to extend a special thanks for their dedication and commitment to shaping the future of ASA. They were leaders, pioneers who had the vision and wisdom required to chart a course never before taken. Convincing an industry of individualists to join a new association was, undoubtedly, a challenging task.

In 1954 a shop owner from Tulsa, Okla., Ralph James, knew it would take a dedicated effort to firmly establish a strong national association. He took it upon himself to make that effort, closing his shop and traveling the country promoting the association. When meeting with shop owners, he focused on one thing, the need for representation in Washington, D.C. Mr. James was right. Prior to that time, our industry was not represented in Congress. Today, such representation remains one of the most important functions of ASA.

ASA is much more than government representation, however.The association's literature tells us there are more than 30 money-saving member benefits. There's CARS, NACE and the Annual Convention. There are regional and local affiliates and chapters. There's management training and new online technical training. And, of course, the important work the collision and mechanicaldivisions do to improve our industry.

ASA is all these things. Most importantly, and by no means is this a cliche, ASA is people. ASA is you and me and 12,000 other shop owners who care deeply about our industry, who want to see our industrysurvive in a fair and competitive marketplace. It's individuals whocome together at meetings and conventions to share ideas, and stories of failures and successes. It's people who want to elevate the professionalism of this industry. It's people who value honesty, integrity and ASA's professional code of ethics.

Looking beyond today, it is my sincere desire to have the same vision ASA's founders had in 1951. ASA needs more members to step forward and take on the responsibilities of leadership. In our Golden Anniversary year, I see golden opportunities for leadership, golden opportunities for affecting positive change, and golden opportunities for carrying on the dreams of our founders.

I encourage ASA's members to discover the rewarding ASA leadership opportunities that are available with their local, state affiliate or national associations. One thing I've learned is that a profound way to look at anything is to look at where it's been, where it is and where it's going. We know where ASA has been and where it is. Now it's our time to determine where it's going.

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