Contact:	Angie Wilson (800) 272-7467, ext. 216 angie@asashop.org
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin ASA-27 May 23, 2008

Burns Receives ASA Phoenix Award

BEDFORD, TEXAS, May 23, 2008 –Jerry Burns, AAM, owner of Automotive Impressions Inc. in Rio Rancho, N.M., was named recipient of the Automotive Service Association’s Phoenix Award at ASA’s Celebration of Excellence May 3 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Phoenix Award recognizes an ASA Collision Division member for his or her contributions to the automotive service industry. The award was presented by Darrell Amberson, AAM, ASA Collision Division director.

“If you have had an opportunity to work with Jerry Burns, I am certain you will agree that his flame for the industry is amplified by the presence of his equally energy-charged wife, Liz, and their amazing sons – Tommy, Bryan, Jason and Scott,” said Bill Haas, ASA’s vice president of education and training, who emceed the event. Haas praised Burns for his dedication and involvement with industry organizations, including the I-CAR Education Foundation board of trustees, the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) board of trustees and the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) Collision Committee.

Burns has been in the collision repair industry since 1983 and opened Automotive Impressions in 1994. He has also been a member of ASA since 1994. Burns currently serves as secretary/treasurer on the ASA board of directors. He has also served on the ASA Collision Division Operations Committee and its Refinish and Auto Manufacturer subcommittees.

“I am honored and humbled to have received the Phoenix Award, and I’m proud to serve with people who are forward-thinking, consumer-minded and professional, working together toward the common good for all involved,” said Burns. “I am thankful to God for the blessings and opportunities in my life. I am thankful for my wife and family who love me and support my industry efforts with their hard work and dedication in our own company that affords me the flexibility to serve our great industry.”

This was the fourth installment of ASA’s Celebration of Excellence awards dinner and ceremony, which was held at the Hyatt Regency. The annual 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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