Around ASA
ASA-Pennsylvania Hires New Training Director
The ASA-Pennsylvania affiliate has hired a full-time training director, Pam Thomas. Her office is located within the ASA-Pennsylvania office in Harrisburg, Pa.
As ASA-Pennsylvania training director, Thomas is responsible for establishing trainers, and promoting and scheduling classes throughout the state. She will also keep members informed of various training programs offered by other organizations.
"Pam's first high-priority responsibility will be to put together a program which offers all the training available and necessary for the enhanced emission program," said Jerry Schantz, ASA-Pennsylvania executive director.
In addition to hiring a new training director, ASA-Pennsylvania has opened a Web site. The site can be accessed at http://www.asa-pa.org.
Ascettes honors members, president
The ASA Ascettes held its annual meeting during the ASA Annual Convention, March 11-15, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Each year the group presents two awards. The first award honored the largest affiliate delegation attending the convention, which went to ASA-Washington with 29 members registered by Feb. 2. The second award was given to the member(s) who traveled the farthest distance to attend the convention. This award was given to Elaine and Joe Mills, Mills Automotive, Bellingham, Wash.
In addition to these awards, the Ascettes also honored G.W. "Bud" Merwin III, ASA president, who is retiring at the end of the 1998. Gini Steffy, Ascettes president, presented Merwin with a plaque of appreciation and extended heartfelt thanks to him for his continued support of the Ascettes program. The group also wished him the very best in his retirement.
Pictured: Gini Steffy presenting plaque to G.W. "Bud" Merwin III.
ASA-Enid, Oklahoma
The ASA-Enid, Okla., chapter held its annual board-of-directors election Feb. 24. The chapter's 1998 board consists of Todd McCollough, The Auto Shop, Enid, president; J.D. Irons, J.D. Irons Automotive, Enid, vice president; Jeff Mills, APR Inc., Enid, secretary; Bruce Roberts, Roberts Body Shop, Enid, treasurer; and Dale Adkins, APR Inc., Enid, membership recruiter and immediate past president.
ASA-Washington presents award
ASA-Washington's highest honor of "Outstanding Member of the Year" was presented to Jerry Saling, owner of Ray's Truck Service, Spokane, Wash.
The affiliate bestows this award upon a member who has contributed the most during the preceding year to benefit and assist ASA and the industry.
Saling joins his father, Ray, as the first father and son recipients of this prestigious award. Ray was presented with the award in 1978. Saling has held numerous positions on both the chapter and affiliate levels. Along with his wife, Barb, he attends most ASA local, affiliate and national functions.
Pictured: ASA-Washington President Ed Cushman (left) presents the "Outstanding Member of the Year" award to Jerry Saling.
ASA-New Jersey holds successful tradeshow
ASA-New Jersey held its annual NORTHEST '98 trade show March 27-29 at the Rockland Community College Field House Arena, in Suffern, N.Y. For the first time in the show's 21-year history, the show floor was sold out. The more than 8,000 attendees had the opportunity to see the latest in automotive and autobody repair technology. The affiliate was pleased with the record attendance and is looking forward to next year's event. NORTHEAST '99 will be held March 26-28.
Correction
In the April issue of AutoInc., the following officers were omitted from the listing of ASA-Minnesota's board of directors: Ed Stiele, Hopkins Auto Body, in Hopkins, holds a collision seat; Pat Andersen, Anoka Auto Care, Anoka, holds a mechanical seat; and Eric Meyer, Lynbrook Collision Center, Waite Park, also holds a
collision seat.
Reminder of the Month
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) updates several areas of the Web site regularly to keep the membership informed of current activities. To take advantage of this time-sensitive information, visit the ASA Web Site.
Interested in becoming a national board member?
Any regular member interested in being considered for the ASA national board of directors, should contact the national office and request a Consideration Form; contact JoAnn Abramuk toll-free at (800) 272-7467, ext. 211. Consideration Forms must be completed and returned by July 31, 1998.
Members of the 1999 ASA Nominating Committee are Chairman Robert D. Anderson, AAM, Anderson's Automotive Service, Sheffield, Ohio; Stanley Elmore, AAM, Stan's Tire & Auto Service, Lafayette, Colo.; Bob Moore, Autobody USA Inc., Springfield, Mo.; and Tom Smith, AAM, Tom's Automotive Service Inc., Seattle, Wash. As of press time, one seat on the committee is unfilled.
ASA-Minnesota member featured in local paper
In March, the Mankato Free Press, a local newspaper in Mankato, Minn., published an article on the changing technology of the collision repair industry. The paper's writer interviewed Geri and Jerry Kottschade, Jerry's Body Shop, for the article. The Kottschades explained how repairing damaged vehicles takes precision and high-tech equipment.
The Kottschades educated consumers on the collision-repair process, including the amount of paperwork and the environmental regulations involved in repairing vehicles. The article also explained the training and education needed for technicians to properly perform repairs, as well as the equipment used in the process.
NATIONAL NEWS
G.W. "Bud" Merwin III, ASA president and chief staff executive, will become the second distinguished individual in Brookhaven College's 20-year history to receive an honorary degree. The honorary degree will be conferred at Brookhaven College's commencement ceremonies on May 7, 1998. The announcement of Merwin's selection for the honor came during ASA's Annual Convention held March 11-15 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Marilyn Kolesar Lynch, dean of Brookhaven College's Automotive Technology and Tech Prep Division in Farmer's Branch, Texas, told convention attendees that Merwin was selected for the honor by the school's faculty council along with the college president's cabinet.
Jim Busch, owner of Busch Collision in Issaquah, Wash., received the ASA Collision Division Phoenix Award for his commitment and dedication to the collision repair industry. Busch received the award during the ASA Annual Convention. "Jim has over 30 years in the collision repair industry, operating his own shop for more than 20 years," said Johnny Mock, AAM, 1997 ASA Collision Division director.
Stan Hathcock, owner of Webster Garage and Body Shop in Atlanta, Ga., was the recipient of the first annual ASA Humanitarian Award. The award was presented during the opening general session of the ASA Annual Convention. "Stan's dedication to helping others is astonishing. In the past several years he has joined with others in the Atlanta community where his business is located to rid the area of neglect and drug dealers," said Bob Anderson, AAM, ASA immediate past chairman.
Denny Kahler, AAM, owner of Kahler's Werkstatt in Dublin, Calif., recruited 42 new ASA members in 1997, earning him the association's top volunteer recruiter award for that year. Kahler was presented with the award during the ASA Annual Convention.
Reggie Denney, AAM, owner of Reggie Denney Auto Repair in Eden, N.C., received the Automotive Service Association (ASA) Mechanical Division Alpha Award. Additionally, he was elected to the ASA national board of directors as the representative of the association's local and state affiliate chapters. Both the award presentation and board of directors election took place during the ASA Annual Convention. Annually, ASA presents its national Alpha Award to recognize one individual for his or her significant contributions to the automotive repair industry.
Consumer Education Could Impact Insurer Steering || New Product Technology || Insuring Your Business || Guest Editorial || Tech to Tech || Tech Tips || News Briefs || Taking the Hill || Around ASA || Net Worth || Stat Corner || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLVI, May 1998 (http://www.asashop.org)