Contact:	Angie Wilson (800) 272-7467, ext. 216 angie@asashop.org
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin ASA-30 May 23, 2008

Anderson Receives Chairman’s Award of Excellence

BEDFORD, TEXAS, May 23, 2008 –Mike Anderson, Wagonwork Collision, Alexandria, Va., was the recipient of the Chairman’s Award of Excellence presented during the Automotive Service Association’s Celebration of Excellence ceremony May 3. The Chairman’s Award of Excellence is presented to an individual for his or her contributions to the association and the industry. The awards ceremony was the finale to ASA’s Annual Convention held May 1-3 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Anderson, a current member of ASA’s Collision Division Operations Committee, received the award for his tireless devotion to the collision repair industry.

In announcing the award, Aaron Clements, AAM, praised Anderson for his ability to help others. “In addition to running his own repair facility, he writes ‘best business practices’ for collision shop owners,” Clements said. “He travels – sometimes weeks at a time – helping other shops grow and move toward their goals.”

Anderson was also commended for his work on behalf of associations.

“When he stands up to teach a class, he displays high energy and the gift of encouragement so that when you leave, you feel renewed, refreshed and your hope and love for your business is rekindled,” Clements said.

Unable to accept the award in person, Anderson said later that receiving the award was humbling. “I am so appreciative of being recognized by my peers for my efforts,” said Anderson. “In the Bible it states that to whom much is given much is expected in return. I just hope that I can always live my life that way. One of my favorite books is Matsushita Leadership and in it the author states if we take society’s resources and society’s people and we make a profit and don’t give back to society we have committed a crime. I truly believe that. I also appreciate AMI [the Automotive Management Institute] for giving me the platform to share my thoughts, ideas and passion with others. I also appreciate the opportunity to serve on the NACE Advisory Council.”

ASA’s 2009 convention will be held next spring in Florida; specific dates and location have not been 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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