Around ASA

By B.J. Johnson

ASA-Washington Bestows Its Highest Honor

Rick McCabe, owner of McCabe's Automotive Specialists in Tacoma, Wash., was named ASA-Washington's 2001 “Outstanding Member of the Year.” McCabe was presented his award by Elaine Mills, AAM, affiliate president, during ASA-Washington's Semiannual Retreat held Jan. 24-27 in Leavenworth, Wash.

McCabe joins 32 other prestigious leaders who have been honored by the affiliate since 1967. The annual award is presented to the person who has contributed the most during the previous year to benefit and assist not only ASA members, but also the automotive service industry as a whole.

NATA To Hold Golf Tournament

Northwest Automotive Trades Association (NATA), an ASA affiliate, will hold its first Spring Golf Tournament at the Salem Golf Club in Salem, Ore., May 18. The course is one of Oregon's first golf courses and one of the most beautiful. Following the golf tournament will be a barbecue dinner.

Monies raised through registration and sponsorships will support NATA's Government Relations Education Fund. The fund was established as NATA's political action committee designed to promote the automotive industry before Oregon's legislature and state regulatory agencies.

ASA-South Carolina Plans Quarterly Meeting

John Scully

John Scully, ASA vice president of membership, will be the guest speaker at the next ASA-South Carolina quarterly membership meeting. He will present a seminar on member recruitment and retention. The meeting will be held May 17-19 at the Holiday Inn Resort Hotel in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

In addition to the membership seminar, the affiliate will hold a welcome reception and executive board meeting. The affiliate also has planned two entertaining evenings at the Louise Mandrell Theater. For more information and to register, contact Shirley Gordon, ASA-South Carolina executive director, at (803) 736-1489.

ASA-Ohio Holds “Bet Your Business on ASA”

Management education, technical training and a trade show were all on the agenda for ASA-Ohio's “Bet Your Business on ASA” event. The two-day program was held Feb. 8-9 at the Cincinnati Marriott North Hotel, Union Centre in Cincinnati.

Two Automotive Management Institute seminars presented by John Peake offered insight into running the business side of an automotive repair facility and profitability in the computer age. In addition, Jim Linder presented the technical course, “Ignition Systems Service,” that included information on the new 42-volt systems.

Attendees had the opportunity to view the latest in automotive products and services from more than 55 exhibitors. In addition, 14 mini-product seminars were presented.

ASA Announces 2002 Board

Dan Frohlich

Dan Frohlich, AAM, owner of A.R.S. Automotive in Pittsburgh, has been named chairman of ASA's board of directors for 2002-03. Frohlich assumed the chairman's post at the conclusion of the association's annual convention, held April 8-13 in Washington, D.C.

Frohlich succeeds Jim Keller, AAM, owner of Motorcar Collision in Milwaukee. Keller moves to the past chairman's seat on the board for one year.

In a ceremony held as part of the convention's Chairman's Banquet to mark the leadership succession, Keller said, “Dan Frohlich has been an ASA member 15 years. During that time, he has served in just about every position there is.

“He's been active at the local, state and national levels. Having the distinct honor of working closely with Dan for a number of years, I know just how much he cares about ASA and its future. His commitment has inspired me and will most certainly continue to inspire others this year while serving as our chairman,” Keller said.

In addition to Frohlich and Keller, other members of the 2002-03 ASA board are Kevin Caldwell, AAM, chairman-elect, Autobody by Caldwell Inc., Laguna Hills, Calif.; and Geralynn Kottschade, AAM, secretary/ treasurer, Jerry's Body Shop Inc., Mankato, Minn.

Serving as general directors are Earl Dohner, AAM, E&E's Garage, Brookville, Ohio; Aaron Clements, AAM, C&C Automotive, Augusta, Ga.; and Rick Bigham, AAM, Bigham Automotive Service Center, Lubbock, Texas.

Serving as affiliate directors are Dale Bright, AAM, Dale Bright's Auto Service, Chino, Calif.; Denny Kahler, AAM, Kahler's Werkstatt, Dublin, Calif.; and Charles Elder, AAM, Ray Gordon Brake Service, Tallahassee, Fla.

The final two board positions are held by the Collision and Mechanical Division directors: Chris Dameron, AAM, True2Form Collision Repair Centers Inc., Raleigh, N.C.; and William (Bill) Filley, AAM, Prairie Road Automotive, Eugene, Ore.

Walter Trapp, ASA president and chief staff executive, also serves on the board in an ex officio capacity. Members of the 2002-03 ASA Executive Committee are Frohlich, Keller, Caldwell, Kottschade and Kahler.

NATIONAL NEWS

The ASA Membership Department has a new national membership ID card system in place. The new card is a thin Teflon-type card and is provided on a carrier sheet with additional ASA information. In addition to the ID card, national members receive a “Member in Good Standing” certificate suitable for framing and displaying in their customer waiting areas.

Each week, summaries of state legislative and regulatory issues for mechanical and collision repair are updated in the Members' Only area of the ASA Web site (www.asashop.org). Content for the summary is provided by ASA Washington, D.C., staff members, who monitor state and federal legislative issues and regulations on behalf of ASA members and the industry.

The online legislative sections provide information on bills being considered by the various state legislatures that affect the automotive industry. In addition, the regulatory sections include information about current state regulatory hearings and proposed regulations that have a direct impact on automotive service businesses. This provides ASA members a better opportunity to comment and participate in their state's regulatory proceedings.

To access the Members' Only area, type your six-digit ASA member number (found on the AutoInc. mail label) into both the name and password fields when prompted.

The 2002 International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) will take place Dec. 5-8 at the Dallas Convention Center. This year marks the 20th anniversary for the event.

In addition, NACE 2002 has been selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Commerce's Overseas Buyer Initiative Program. NACE was chosen because of its high export potential, stature and international interest. As part of the program, NACE will be marketed worldwide by the International Trade Administration's Office of Automotive Affairs and its global network of offices.

“This year's 20th annual event gives us the opportunity to celebrate the history of NACE and the role it has played in elevating and strengthening the global collision repair industry,” said Dana Bellantone, NACE show director. “We're also very proud and honored to be part of the Overseas Buyer Initiative Program and expect to see a strong international presence at NACE 2002,” added Bellantone. Details about NACE 2002 will be added to the NACE Web site, www.NACEexpo.com, as they become available.

Reminder of the Month

ASA will distribute the 2002 ASA Membership Directory in June. All ASA members will be printed in the directory regardless of their level of membership. ASA uses the physical address, if it is on file, for the listing.

A new feature in this year's directory is a listing of ASA staff members' e-mail addresses. This addition provides members another avenue to promote ongoing communications with the association. Member e-mail addresses are not published to ensure the privacy of ASA member-businesses.

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