Contact:	Angie Wilson (800) 272-7467, ext. 216 angie@asashop.org
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin ASA-32 May 23, 2008

Texas Automobile Dealers Association Rep
Receives Legislative Award

BEDFORD, TEXAS, May 23, 2008 –The Automotive Service Association (ASA) presented its Legislative Award to Victor Vandergriff of Dallas at the association’s Celebration of Excellence ceremony May 3 in Santa Clara, Calif. The event was part of ASA’s Annual Convention, which was held May 1-3. The ASA Legislative Award recognizes individuals or organizations that show leadership in moving ASA’s legislative policies forward.

Vandergriff was one of the founders of the Consumer Choice in Autobody Repair organization. He was the Texas Automobile Dealers Association liaison to ASA during the insurer-owned shop legislation debate in Austin, Texas, and currently is the legislative chairman of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association.

Vandergriff’s leadership in ensuring that financial and other resources were available for the insurer-owned shop project throughout the legislative process and legal appeals, all the way to the United States Supreme Court, was essential.

“We are very proud of our relationship with the Consumer Choice in Autobody Repair and our special friend, Victor Vandergriff,” said Bill Haas, ASA’s vice president of education and training, who emceed the event.” The Celebration of Excellence awards dinner and ceremony was held at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara. ASA’s 2009 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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