Contact:	Ken Roberts (800) 272-7467, Ext. 216
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin ASA-39 Nov. 17, 1999

Arizona Affiliate Rejoins ASA

Bedford, Texas, Nov. 17, 1999 --The Automotive Service Association (ASA) today announced that its Arizona affiliate has rejoined the national association.

"We are extremely excited to welcome the return of ASA-Arizona," said John R. Mock, chairman of ASA's board of directors. "ASA-Arizona has a long history of partnership with the national association."

In September 1999, the Arizona state board of directors voted to initiate re-affiliation discussions with ASA. Denny Mandeville, owner of Canyon Automotive in Sedona, Ariz., coordinated the re-affiliation efforts. A meeting with representatives of the ASA National and Arizona boards was held Nov. 13 in Camp Verde, Ariz.

Jerry McFarland, a Tucson resident and a former chairman of the ASA National board, mediated the meeting.

At the onset of 1999, Arizona elected not to implement ASA's new affiliation agreement. "ASA members in Arizona had some specific concerns about the agreement that we were able to resolve at the Camp Verde meeting," Mock said. "We drafted and adopted a second addendum to the agreement which was in direct response to these concerns." "The Arizona board of directors felt that this industry needs one unified voice and one unified representation to effectively meet the needs of its members," Mandeville said. "ASA was very receptive to the concerns Arizona had about its affiliation agreement. There were a few points we felt limited the affiliate, and these were addressed in the second addendum to our satisfaction.

"The members of the national board listened to our concerns and saw where changes to the affiliation agreement would improve it for every affiliate, not just Arizona. And, they were willing to make these changes," Mandeville said. "ASA has become a stronger, member-driven association because the national board is listening to its affiliates."

Said Mock, "I speak on behalf of the entire ASA board of directors when I say we are elated that we had the opportunity to demonstrate our willingness to listen to the concerns of a former affiliate and to take actions to resolve those concerns."

With the return of Arizona, ASA now has 14 affiliates.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind, serving more than 13,000 businesses and approximately 70,000 professionals from all 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. Additional information about ASA, including past news releases, is available on the ASA Web Site on the Internet (http://www.asashop.org).