Contact:	Angie Wilson (800) 272-7467, ext. 216 angie@asashop.org
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin ASA-26 May 23, 2008

Lanspeary Earns ASA Alpha Award

BEDFORD, TEXAS, May 23, 2008 –Dave Lanspeary, owner of Dave’s Auto Repair in Youngtown, Ariz., received the Alpha Award from the Automotive Service Association (ASA) May 3 at ASA’s Celebration of Excellence in Santa Clara, Calif. The Alpha Award recognizes an ASA Mechanical Division member for his or her generous and far-reaching contributions to the automotive service industry. Earl Dohner, AAM, director of ASA’s Mechanical Division at the time, presented the award to Lanspeary.

Lanspeary served previously as the president of the Phoenix chapter of ASA-Arizona and still serves on state affiliate and chapter boards. With 35 years of experience in the automotive repair industry, he has owned his business for 25 years and has been a member of ASA since 1988. Lanspeary currently serves as co-chairman of the Vehicle Security Committee with the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF).

“This committee was responsible for getting car manufacturers to agree on a program that would enable qualified independents and locksmiths access to the secure information that is needed for vehicle keys and immobilizer systems,” said Bill Haas, ASA’s vice president of education and training, who emceed the event. “He has dedicated much of his time to legislative issues and has been involved with the National Automotive Service Task Force since its beginning.”

“I was shocked in receiving this prestigious award and truly appreciate the recognition of my peers in the industry,” said Lanspeary. “There are many ASA members who have done far more than I have. In fact, the award was far too small as there isn’t enough room to add at least another hundred names above mine that certainly deserve and have earned this level of recognition.”

ASA’s Celebration of Excellence event was held as part of the association’s annual convention at the Hyatt Regency, Santa Clara. The annual awards ceremony honors the achievements of ASA members and also includes a graduation ceremony recognizing those who have earned the Automotive Management Institute’s Accredited Automotive Manager designation. ASA’s next annual convention will be held next spring in Florida; specific dates and location are to be determined. The association’s annual trade shows – the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) – will be held during the inaugural Automotive Service and Repair Week (ASRW), Nov. 5-8, 2008. ASRW events will be co-located at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

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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