Contact:	Angie Wilson (800) 272-7467, ext. 216 angie@asashop.org
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin ASA-17 May 18, 2007

ASA Annual Convention a Hit in Nashville

New Board of Directors Announced at Celebration of Excellence

BEDFORD, TEXAS, May 18, 2007 - The Automotive Service Association (ASA) held its annual convention May 3-5 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. The well-attended event provided a forum for several association leadership activities including open meetings of the ASA board of directors and affiliate assembly; a State of the Association address by Ron Pyle, ASA's president and chief staff executive; and the installation of the new board. The installation of the board took place during ASA's Celebration of Excellence, a dinner and awards show that opened with the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) graduation ceremony. An open forum of ASA's Collision and Mechanical Operations Committees and two AMI classes presented by Patrick Grady were also held during the annual convention.

Aaron Clements, AAM, C&C Automotive, Augusta, Ga., was named chairman of ASA's board of directors for 2007-08. Clements assumed the chairman's post at the conclusion of the annual convention. He succeeds Charles Elder, AAM, Ray Gordon Brake Service, Tallahassee, Fla., who moves to the past chairman's seat on the board of directors for one year.

Other members of ASA's 2007-08 board include Reggie Denney, AAM, chairman-elect, Reggie Denney Auto Repair, Eden, N.C.; and Dennis Sterwerf, AAM, secretary/treasurer, Fairfield Auto & Truck Service, Fairfield, Ohio.

Serving as general directors are Jerry Burns, AAM, Automotive Impressions Inc., Rio Rancho, N.M.; Daniel Guido, AAM, Tony's Service Center, Phoenix, Ariz.; and Diane Rodenhouse, Rodenhouse Body Shop Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Serving as affiliate directors are Russell McCloud, AAM, Accurate Automotive Attention, Yuma, Ariz.; Ron Nagy, AAM, Nagy's Collision Center, Wooster, Ohio; and Dan Torbeck, AAM, Torbeck's Auto Repair, Cincinnati, Ohio.

The final two board positions are held by the Collision Division and Mechanical Division directors: Darrell Amberson, AAM, Lehman's Garage, Bloomington, Minn. (Collision Division); and Earl Dohner, AAM, E&E's Garage, Brookville, Ohio (Mechanical Division).

Pyle also serves on the ASA board of directors in an ex officio capacity. Members of the ASA Executive Committee are Clements, Elder, Denney, Sterwerf and Dohner.

Pyle's annual State of the Association address was presented during the Saturday luncheon when he provided an overview of the association's focus and strategic initiatives during the past year. Praising the volunteer leadership's dedication to the association, Pyle said, "We are so blessed that we have leadership that really looks out for the future of our association, that really cares about where we're headed, and that devotes so much of their time, energy and wisdom to making sure we don't lose track of who we are and where we are."

Pyle emphasized the association's consistent efforts to benchmark the behaviors and decisions of ASA to ensure its success. From aligning ASA's products and services to it mission statement, to creating data-driven strategies, the association strives to raise the bar and enhance the professionalism of its members. "The most important thing we are is that we're a member-driven organization. Everything we do is about serving our members ... We're here to serve you - every day, every member," said Pyle. He also pointed out the association's focus on providing its leadership with good information and the right tools to get the job done, and the association's emphasis on strong communication efforts. "We're in a changing environment," Pyle told attendees. "Our job is to help you make that transition so we have a vital, healthy independent aftermarket service and repair industry for years to come."

ASA's next annual convention will be held May 1-3, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Santa Clara, Calif., located approximately 20 minutes from San Jose. Details will be provided online at www.ASAshop.org as they become available.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.

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