Around ASA
ASA-Texas announces technicians of the year
ASA-Texas announced the winners of the affiliate's annual "Technician of the Year" awards. The purpose of the awards is to recognize the amount of education and dedication it takes to become a skilled craftsman in the collision and mechanical repair industry. The mechanical technician of the year was awarded to Craig Stanzel, who has been employed by Bear Creek Automotive in Houston for three years.
Omar Giardino was presented with the collision technician award. Giardino has worked for Spring Branch Honda, also in Houston, since 1994.
Recipients were honored during the ASA-Texas convention held June 6-8 in Houston. Johnny Dickerson, 1996 ASA-Texas president, presented the awards.
Above: Johnny Dickerson (left) presents award to Craig Stanzel.
Left: Omar Giardino with plaque he received as collision technician of the year.
ASA-Minnesota performs double-duty for local community
The ASA-Minnesota affiliate is planning its third annual "Lights on for Safety" campaign to be held Oct. 4.
The campaign is held in conjunction with National Car Care Month. ASA members, technicians and students of automotive technical classes conduct free inspection and replacement of exterior vehicle light bulbs and headlamps.
This year's event has been expanded to a statewide effort due to the results of the 1996 campaign, during which more than 700 bulbs were installed in more than 300 vehicles.
Along with providing this free service to motorists, the affiliate also supports the Minnesota Food Bank Network. Vehicle owners are encouraged to bring a cash or non-perishable food donation for the food bank.
Last year's efforts collected more than 1,500 pounds of food and $1,100 in cash donations
Member honored
Tim Yarbrough, owner of Tim's German Auto in Fort Worth, Texas, was referred to as a "Hometown Hero," by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Staff writer Beverly Bundy, praised Yarbrough's shop for the outstanding service the business had shown her for the past 11 years.
The article mentioned all the employees of Tim's German Auto and thanked them for their honesty and professionalism. The article went on to say, "In these days of banks phasing out tellers, restaurants refusing to train their servers and department stores neglecting to man their departments, it's pretty heroic for service folks to be as kind and respectful to their customers as they are to one another."
Tim's German Auto has been an ASA member since 1995.
ASA-Ohio offers recruitment incentives
ASA-Ohio has launched a recruiting program to increase membership. The program, "Two Times Two," began in June and will run through September. Any ASA-Ohio member who recruits a new regular member will received a $25 credit toward any affiliate-sponsored educational program, as well as a $35 credit for the quarterly affiliate meeting registration.
To help the recruiting efforts, ASA-Ohio has provided members with a brochure detailing the benefits of ASA.
Another incentive for members to continue recruiting is that any member who signs up more than three new members receives a complete ASA-Ohio Convention package that covers registration and housing costs.
National News
The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) now offers two new powerful management self-study courses. Designed for the busy lifestyle of today's automotive professional, both courses may be completed at the student's pace and convenience.
The courses, "Hiring the Superstars," and "Managing Your Business for Profit," are structured exclusively for the automotive service industry. Both offer credit toward the institute's Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. For more information on these two new courses, contact AMI toll-free at (800) 272-7467, ext. 239.
Universal Underwriters offers insurance seminar
Universal Underwriters Group, an ASA associate member, is offering a management seminar on purchasing business insurance for an automotive repair facility. The seminar, "How to Purchase Business Insurance," covers everything a shop owner needs to know when purchasing insurance, including risk management, what coverages are available, and how to select the right type of coverage. Another added benefit of the seminar is that it will earn attendees credit toward an Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation offered by the Automotive Management Institute (AMI).
"As a business owner, you should have the knowledge to make informed decisions when it comes to protecting your business," said Gerry Cecil, senior director of market development for Universal Underwriters Group's Automotive Specialty Division. For more information on the seminar call Cecil toll-free at (800) 840-8842, ext. 1618.
Reminder of the Month
As a service, ASA provides technical information through technical bulletin mailings on a quarterly basis. The technical bulletins originally were sent with the monthly divisions' newsletters (both collision and mechanical). However, due to changes in the newsletter formats, ASA now distributes the bulletins in this manner.
The bulletins are available to members, by request only. ASA members interested in receiving the bulletins should call ASA at (800) 272-7467, ext. 240.
House Commerce Committee Passes Uniform Titling Bill || Shepherds Of The Earth
|| How Clean Are Our Cars? || What Do Body Shops Think Of Diminished Value? || Building Referral Business || Guest Editorial: Revolution, Evolution, Devolution Or Chaos? || Tech Tips || Tech To Tech || News Briefs || Taking The Hill || Around ASA || Shop Profile || Net Worth || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLV No. 9, September 1997