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ASA Members Recognized for Service, SkillsPosted 5/15/2003
ASA's Annual Convention provides an opportunity not only for making plans and taking care of association business, but also for recognizing the hard work and extraordinary accomplishments of members. The awards presentations this year featured many long-time members who have made lasting impacts on their industry and their community. This year, the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) bestowed its Annual Recognition Award on former AMI Chairman Ed Cushman, AAM, owner of C & H Foreign Auto Repair in Spokane, Wash. Since 1998, Cushman has held numerous positions on the AMI board of trustees, including chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer. He recently stepped down as chairman to devote more time to his family and growing business. Cushman was also one of three winners of the 2003 Chairman's Award of Excellence. The other two were Dale Bright, AAM, owner of Dale Bright's Auto Service in Chino, Calif., and Yumi Vaught, AAM, owner of Apex Auto Body & Paint in Huntington Beach, Calif. This award provides the opportunity to publicly recognize and thank individuals for their outstanding contributions to ASA and the automotive repair industry. Bright has served on the ASA board of directors for four years, and he chaired the ASA affiliate assembly in 2002. It is in that role as the affiliate assembly chairman where his many leadership talents and skills shined the brightest. Frohlich characterized Vaught as "a David who's willing to take on Goliath." "On behalf of collision repair professionals in her home state of California, this person took on the Goliath known as insurance companies. She fought the good fight opposing insurance company ownership of shops," Frohlich said. Though the first attempt in California to pass legislation prohibiting insurer-owned shops fell a few votes short in the legislature, Frohlich noted that future attempts will be easier thanks to the groundwork laid and lessons learned through Vaught's efforts. The mechanical and collision divisions also presented awards at the convention. Charlie Elder, AAM, owner of Ray Gordon Brake Service in Tallahassee, Fla., was the recipient of the Mechanical Division 2003 Alpha Award. Elder has been in the automotive service industry for more than 25 years, and has been active in improving the automotive repair industry at the local, state and national levels. He has served on the ASA Mechanical Division Operations Committee since his appointment to the committee in 2000 and is currently an affiliate director on ASA's board of directors. The Collision Division presented its Phoenix Award this year to Geralynn Kottschade, AAM, co-owner of Jerry's Body Shop in Mankato. Kottschade's dedication is evidenced by the far reach of her industry involvement. Among the organizations she is involved in are the Collision Industry Conference and the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association, where she has served as an officer. She is also a member of the Collision Industry Hall of Eagles. Within ASA, Kottschade is a former member of the Collision Division Operations Committee and is currently serving as the chairwoman elect of ASA's board of directors. John Scully, ASA's vice president of member services and operations, presented the 2003 Benefit Provider of the Year. This year's award was presented to CINTAS. This member benefit provider provides ASA national members discounts on uniform services and just recently introduced an ASA promotional products catalog. "Many factors enter into our decision, perhaps the most significant being the length of the relationship coupled with the price, quality and professional service provided to ASA members," Scully said. "ASA is fortunate to have a relationship of this nature with CINTAS and we are proud to honor them with our award of merit." The top recruiter for 2002 was Paul Furtado. Not only did Furtado recruit the most shops individually, he was also the driving factor in the establishment of the ASA-Rhode Island affiliate. This year, ASA presented two humanitarian awards. Harry Frady, owner of Aamerco Transmissions in Greenwood, S.C., and Howard Lewis, AAM, owner of L&B Auto Repair in Snohomish, Wash., were both recognized for their outstanding service to their fellow men. A former competitor in shooting contests, Frady holds a law enforcement commission with his local sheriff's department. His firearm skills and his law enforcement training have led to his being part of a sheriff's department team that conducts drug raids. He teaches firearm skills to law enforcement officers and also coaches young people in firearms competition. Frady also established a college scholarship program for the children of his shop employees. Any employee who has worked in his shop for two years is eligible for the program. If the employee has a son or daughter graduating from high school, the shop provides that child a $12,000 scholarship allocated over four years. This scholarship program helps make their higher education goals attainable and their futures brighter. Lewis has served on the ASA board of directors for a number of years. Prior to that, he served on the board of his ASA affiliate. "He has tirelessly dedicated many years to ASA, shaping the association, without ever seeking any personal accolades," said Frohlich. "But, he deserves the accolades. Not only has he made ASA better, he has also made the lives of families in the poorest areas of Mexico City better." Through his church, Lewis was part of a team that went to Mexico in 2002 and rebuilt an area of Mexico City ravaged by poverty. The 2003 ASA Legislative Award was presented to Dale Feste, AAM, owner of Dale Feste Automotive in Hopkins, Minn. Feste represented every repair professional by being the voice from the service bays speaking before the U.S. Senate. Thanks in large part to the compelling testimony of this shop owner, the future of independent service has been protected. Three shops were recognized with ASA's Golden Quill Award. This award recognizes the excellent work of individual ASA members for their Web sites and television commercials. This year's entries were judged by Amy Rae Mullins, a business-to-business marketing and design professional in Fort Worth, Texas. There was a first-place tie for best member Web site this year. The winners were Acme Body & Paint Co. in Jamaica Plain, Mass., owned by Chuck Sulkala, and Pennsylvania Body and Frame, owned by Matt Herzing in Saint Marys, Pa. The outstanding features of Acme Body & Paint's Web site included easy navigation, prominent placement of contact information, the shop tour section, an online survey for customers, and a frequently asked questions page that takes the reader step by step through the repair process. Overall, the judge said the site was clearly developed with the customer in mind. Technical jargon is avoided and someone who spends any time on this site will be better informed about collision repair. Mullins said Pennsylvania Body and Frame's site provides a substantial amount of information to assist individuals who have been in an accident. The table of contents and the quick find feature speeds visitors to the information they're seeking. Features such as vehicle status updates, online appointment scheduling, things to know before having your car repaired, and information about the employees and their training serve to establish a high level of customer confidence. The winner of the 2003 Golden Quill Award for best television commercial is Mahneke Motors in Goleta, Calif., owned by Mike Mahneke. The commercial is a 30-second spot advertising a mechanical repair shop. Mullins noted the commercial quickly establishes credibility with the viewer by stressing the shop owner's experience. Then, it builds on that credibility by communicating several things: 1) The shop employs certified technicians, 2) The breadth of services and makes of vehicles serviced, and 3) The use of state-of-the-art equipment. The closing tag line in the commercial leaves one final positive impression with the viewer, said Mullins.
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