What Are They Up To?

AutoInc. Profiles Past Chairmen of ASA

Don Seyfer, AAM
ASA Chairman: May 1996 - March 1997

Q: What are you doing currently?
A: I still work at Seyfer Automotive in Wheat Ridge, Colo., assisting my two very able managers: son Donny Seyfer, and Justin Neal. I also do some community service with several local groups and market the automotive repair business. My wife, Margie, and I take an ample amount of time during the year to travel and enjoy life. We continue to live in Wheat Ridge, Colo., and enjoy the company of our family and five grandchildren (with one more due this month).

Q: What advice would you give to ASA members aspiring to serve on the board?
A: Any member of ASA should explore the opportunities of leadership. A leadership position - whether it's in ASA, your church or a civic organization - may not be for everyone. If your aspirations are toward some level of leadership, then consider involvement with ASA. I am very grateful for my opportunity to serve on the ASA board of directors for 12 years. I met some remarkable people who helped my development as a business owner and citizen. The people, corporations and government functions are an educational experience that can't be obtained anywhere other than being involved. To this very day, I use my contacts and experiences that I gained while chairman.

Q: What are your best memories and accomplishments as chairman?
A: Memories are many - including places visited, lessons learned, people helped and exposure to other lifestyles. Best of all are the friendships!

ASA-Washington Announces Outstanding Member of the Year

Aboard the beautiful Carnival Pride during the Annual Winter Retreat and Management Cruise held Jan. 21-28, Kelly Wright, ASA-Washington's chairman of the board, presented the affiliate's highest honor - its "Outstanding Member of the Year" award - to Brian Johnson, AAM, Motoring Services, Kennewick, Wash.

Johnson, a 25-year veteran of the automotive industry, started his involvement in ASA after seeking ways to help his business become more successful. Johnson began to turn his business around by implementing the knowledge he gained through local unit meetings, state retreats, networking with fellow ASA members and seminars that ASA offered.

In 1989, Johnson became president of the Tri-City ASA chapter and was influential in getting other automotive businesses involved with ASA by encouraging them to get ASE certified. The chapter was growing and so did Motoring Services. It quadrupled in size by 1992 and Johnson began plans for a new building to continue the growth of the business. In 1993, Motoring Services moved into a new facility with much more capacity. Johnson's employees have been involved with ASA both on the local and state level. Johnson continues to seek out training through ASA, R.L. O'Connor, quality organizations, chambers of commerce, local colleges, community education and other venues.

Motoring Services has won several awards, including 1998 Northwest Automotive Shop of the Year, 1999 Silver Mid-Columbia Business of the Year, 2001 Washington state Small Business Person of the Year, 2001 Washington state Quality Award, and 2002 ASA National Advertising Commercial of the Year.

Congratulations to Brian Johnson on being ASA-Washington's 2006 Outstanding Member of the Year!

NATIONAL NEWS

• Joan Lambert, member services administrator, traveled to Champions Gate, Fla., to participate in the PPG Platinum Distributor Tradeshow Feb. 16. Focusing on key discussions from the PPG Refinish marketing, sales and training teams, the trade show was attended by industry suppliers. Workshop discussions covered topics such as PPG Refinish programs and services, a 2007 product technology review, and a color technology update.
• Denise Caspersen, ASA Collision Division manager, and B.J. Johnson, ASA director of membership and affiliate relations, recently visited Vale National in Arlington, Texas, to view the paintless dent repair certification process and see a demonstration of dent depth measurement equipment. The National Alliance of Paintless Dent Repair Technicians is an associate member of ASA and plans to work with the association on mutual industry issues.
• ASA's Keep Educating Yourself and Staff (KEYS) event held in Phoenix April 13-15 was a big success. To learn more about KEYS or to request an event in your area, visit www.ASAshop/keys.