General Director
Danny H. Meyers, AAM (Incumbent) — Earl R. Dohner, AAM

Danny H. Meyer, AAM, owns and operates Kay Parks/Dan Meyer Auto Rebuild Inc., in Tacoma, Wash., and has been an ASA member since 1985. Meyer has been in the collision repair industry for more than 32 years and his business is an Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) Gold Class facility.

He has served as president of the ASA-Pierce County chapter (1987-1988); ASA-Washington affiliate collision division chairman (1987-1988); affiliate treasurer (1989-1992); and affiliate president (1993-1994). Meyer was the recipient of the ASA-Washington Outstanding Member of the Year award in 1988 and the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) Emil Stanley Memorial Scholarship Award in 1994. He has attended the ASA-Washington annual convention every year since 1985. On the national level, Meyer has attended every International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) since 1988 and he has attended the ASA Annual Convention for the past 10 years.

He has a two-year associates degree from Tacoma Community College in Tacoma, Wash., and attended a four-year autobody apprenticeship program at Bates Vocational Technical School in Tacoma. Meyer earned his Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation in 1995 from AMI. He taught at the Clover Park Vocational Technical School in Tacoma for nine years, served on the Tacoma Environmental Commission for eight years, and has served as a board member of the Tacoma Seafarers for nine years. In addition, Meyer serves as chairman for the joint apprenticeship program for the Bates and Clover Park Technical Colleges.

Meyer's non-industry affiliations include memberships in the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, the Washington State Historical Society, the Independent Business Association, the Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival and Corporate Council for the Arts.

When asked why he wanted to continue serving on the ASA board of directors, Meyer said, “I would like to become more aware of the industry issues on a national level and to give back to an industry that has given so much to us.” He can be reached at (253) 272-0512.

Earl R. Dohner, AAM, owns and operates E & E Garage in Brookville, Ohio, and has been an ASA member since 1986. The business' staff is 100 percent certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) with 25 percent master-certified. He has served on the ASA Mechanical Division Operations Committee since 1998 and received his Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation from the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) in 1994.

Dohner has held the positions of chapter president for four years and ASA-Ohio mechanical division chairman for six years. He currently holds the position of ASA-Ohio president. As affiliate president, Dohner serves as the ASA Affiliate Assembly delegate at the national convention.

He has attended every Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) since 1992, as well as every ASA Annual Convention since 1991. On the affiliate level, Dohner has attended ASA-Ohio's Annual Convention every year since 1984.

In 1997, he was the recipient of the NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year Award, Cincinnati Division.

Dohner is a member of the Car Care Council, the Council of Advanced Automotive Trainers (CAAT), the Ford Motor Co. Settlement Board, and the Brookville Rotary. He is also a master trainer for the ATTP. Dohner is involved with the Ohio E Check program, the EPA Alternative Fuel Vehicle Training program, and the West Virginia University. In addition, he is a retired major of the U.S. Army National Guard.

“ASA's training and association with the membership has made my business one of the leaders in this area. It has also made me what I am in the auto repair industry today. I would like the opportunity to give something back,” said Dohner when asked why he wanted to serve on the ASA board of directors. Dohner can be reached at (937) 833-4214.

General Director
Geralynn R. Kottschade, AAM (Incumbent) — Rick G. Bigham, AAM

Geralynn R. Kottschade, AAM, a 19-year veteran of the collision repair industry, is general manager of Jerry's Body Shop Inc., in Mankato, Minn., and has been an ASA member since 1971. The business is an 18,100 square foot facility with 27 employees, of which 75 percent are Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) trained.

She has served on the Collision Division Operations Committee since 1998. As a member of the Operations Committee, she currently serves on the Automated Estimate and Insurance Subcommittees.

Kottschade received her Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation from the Automotive Management Institute in 1996. She has attended all International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) meetings since 1984, and has participated as a panelist at NACE. She also regularly attends the ASA Annual Convention and Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS).

Kottschade is a member of the local I-CAR and the MACS School System. She is also Solicitation Chair for local school system fundraisers and is a Youth Center role model. Kottschade has obtained specialized training from AKZO, ADP and CCC.

Her non-industry affiliations include membership in the Better Business Bureau and she served in the United States National Guard from 1977-1982. Jerry's Body Shop Inc. has received the Minnesota Quality Service Award and the Mankato Area Quality Award.

When asked why she would like to continue serving on the ASA board of directors, Kottschade said, “Being part of ASA for almost 20 years I have seen a lot of changes in our industry. Over the 20 years I have had a great deal of opportunities to see things and be a part of them. I would like to continue with this and help ASA and its members into the new century.”

Kottschade can be reached at (507) 388-4895 or via e-mail at jerrysi@ic.mankato.mn.us.

Rick G. Bigham, AAM, Bigham Automotive & Electric Co. Inc., in Lubbock, Texas, is the third generation owner of the business that opened in 1956 (his son, who is active in the business, represents the fourth generation). Bigham Automotive has been an ASA member since 1960.

Bigham's staff is 100 percent certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) with 75 percent of those master-certified. In addition, the staff is 100 percent trained by the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR), making it an I-CAR Gold Class shop.

Bigham has held numerous positions at the local and state levels including president, treasurer and regional director. In addition, he was appointed to the ASA Mechanical Division Operations Committee in 2000. As a member of the Operations Committee, Bigham chairs the School-To-Work subcommittee.

He regularly attends the state's annual convention, the ASA Annual Convention, and the Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS), as well as the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE).

Bigham has attended Texas Tech University and South Plains Junior College in Lubbock. He received his Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation from the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) in 1997.

He is a member of the Car Care Council, the AAMCO Dealers Association and the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association. Bigham is a speaker for the Car Care Council's Women's Board and he regularly sponsors PPG training classes.

Bigham's non-industry affiliations include memberships in the Lubbock Lion's Club, the Caprock Classic Car Club, the Sales Executive Association, the Lubbock Soccer Association, and the Southwest Little League. He is also a Better Business Bureau arbitrator.

When asked why he wanted to serve on the ASA board of directors, Bigham said, “To help regulate member businesses to ensure the negative historical stereotypes of the automotive repair industry fade, and the new educated technicians advance through the millennium.” Bigham can be reached at (806) 763-8291 or via e-mail at rbigham@hub.of.the.net.