Wayne Weikel, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, and Ray Fisher, ASA President.

Wayne Weikel has been with Auto Innovators since its inception in 2020 and was previously with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers since 2012.  In this capacity, Wayne serves as primary liaison for Auto Innovators’ interaction with state officials across the northeast.  He manages a diverse portfolio of public policy interests, ranging from automated and electric vehicle technology, to telematic data access and consumer privacy.  Wayne also serves as a board member of the OEM Collision Parts Roundtable, an auto industry group formed to advocate on behalf of consumer interests in post-accident vehicle repairs. Before moving to Washington, Wayne worked for 11 years in the Massachusetts State House, most recently as Chief of Staff and Policy Director of the House Committee on Ways and Means.  

Ray Fisher has served the industry in varied roles, has been president and executive director of ASA-Michigan from 2010 to 2019 before taking on the role of Executive Director/ President of ASA National. In addition, he served as a body shop manager for more than 20 years, assistant parts manager, and an expert witness for a local law firm regarding collision repair and processes. With formal education in business administration, Fisher is an Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) and an Accredited Master Automotive Manager (AMAM). He has extensive legislative experience, driving key issues for ASA-Michigan members on sales tax issues and shop licensing. His recognition and contributions to the organizations he served have resulted in numerous awards, including the ASA Affiliate of the Year Award in 2018, ASA Legislative Award in 2015 and 2016, as well as the I-CAR Founder’s Award.

Discussion with a climate crisis expert about the state of the world today in context of the climate crisis, and the steps that are being taken to fix it. Learn about the shift to electric vehicles, and how to make clean energy technology benefit you and your business.

An update on the status of electric vehicles. Speakers will discuss a realistic timeline for electric vehicle manufacturing, infrastructure, implementation, and widespread adoption to give the audience an idea of when they can realistically expect a critical mass of EVs on the roads and in their shops.

Speakers will discuss the status of clean energy and transportation legislation that will affect the automotive industry, including the infrastructure package legislation. Shops will hear how activities in Washington can impact their businesses.

This segment will be a conversation with the Alliance for Automotive Innovation about new vehicle technologies, the differences between electric and ICE vehicles, and what these changes will mean in terms of repair procedures. Attendees will get an idea of what is coming down the assembly line, and how to adapt their shops for the future.

Learn about opportunities for electric vehicle charging stations in your community, including potential incentives to installing an EV charging station at your shop.

What forces are shaping the automotive service industry in the 21^st Century? What are the disruptors in new technology, materials and powertrain systems? What do we need to know to prepare for what’s next? This presentation takes a comprehensive look at where we are and where we’re going through data on such topics as the Post-Pandemic Service Market, Potential Disruptors and New Business Models, and the move toward Electrification

This panel discussion will explore what the next-generation of technical talent will need in the way of skills, capabilities and knowledge to cope with the rapid advance of automotive technology in consumer transportation. Panelists will provide the latest data and projections which define the future of work in the automotive service industry, including projected personnel needs through 2027 and current data on students & graduates from CTE Programs for retention rates, turnover and educational resource challenges. Other topics cover diversity and the ROI on training.

Moderator: Kim Hickey; Panelists: George Arrant, Trish Serratore, Roxann Griffith

Kim Hickey has over 30 years of real-world industry experience and training, she is an ATI graduate and alumnus, certified as a Master Coach Trainer, Executive Coach, Advanced Profit First Professional, Genos Emotional Intelligence Practitioner and is a credentialed Professional Certified Coach (PCC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Kim believes in sharing her extensive industry knowledge and coaching techniques in the hopes that she can help other entrepreneurs not only avoid some of the mistakes she has made but also enjoy the many personal and professional benefits that are possible.

George Arrants is working with the ASE Education Foundation to develop and implement an initiative for the medium/heavy truck and Collison industry to partner industry and education and open opportunities for student internships across the country like what is already in place in the automotive industry. Arrants is developing resources to assist field managers, schools, administrators, instructors, and industry in streamlining the ASE Accreditation process.

Trish Serratore is the Senior Vice President, Communications for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Prior to her current position, Serratore was president of the ASE Education Foundation, the education arm of ASE where she oversaw automotive program accreditation at secondary and post-secondary institutions as well as student career development initiatives. Trish has received the Automotive Hall of Fame’s Young Leadership and Excellence Award for outstanding achievements in the automotive industry and the Akzo Nobel award as one of the most influential women in the collision repair industry. She also has been named one of the “Top 100 Women in the Automotive Industry” by Automotive News.

Roxann Griffith brings over 20 years of professional service as both a US Air Force veteran and the Assistant Regional Manager for the Texas Veterans Commission.  Roxann began her USAF career as an Electrical Engineer but with career progression worked as a Supervisor, Personnel Reliability Program Certifier and Security Manager, and upon retirement in 2012, she was serving in the Operations Manager role for the largest Aircraft Maintenance Unit in the Air Force.  Throughout her Air Force career, she supported both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.  She received several decorations to include a Commendation Award from the Inspector General of the Department of Defense.  

What does it take to own and operate a viable automotive service business in 2021 and beyond? This panel will explore how and why everyone in the business needs to change their perceptions of what it means to be an automotive service business. Everything is changing, including the skills necessary to achieve success in the 21^st Century. Do you know what you don’t know? This session will provide the insights and information on how to prepare for the electric future; why we need to think differently and what that means; what skill sets are more important than ever before and when we can expect the next big disruptor in our market.

Moderator: Rick White, Panelists: Andy Fiffick and Jay Goninen

Rick White is a business turnaround and exponential growth expert who helps auto repair shop owners go from struggling to stay open to being recognized as the go-to shops in their market. He helps business owners with average shops transform their shops into the shop of the year in the industry. Currently, Rick is President of 180BIZ, an auto repair shop training and business coaching company proudly serving the independent auto and truck repair shop owner since 2006. He has also owned multiple successful auto repair shops over the years. Rick has taught at some of the biggest conferences in the industry across North America, including classes at AAPEX (NV), VISION (KS), ASTE (NC), ATSE (NY), ASA National, and AASP National. Beyond Associations, he has conducted training classes for WorldPac and BG. He has been published many times over the years for publications like Automotive Management Network, Ratchet and Wrench, Automotive News, and Autobody News.

Andy Fiffick is the Founder & CEO of Rad Air Complete Car Care. At the age of six, Andy began working on cars with his father, a former Army mechanic.  Since then, he has dedicated his life to providing expert auto repairs to his clients and helping them wise repair decisions.  Andy can be found at any one of his company’s ten locations providing assistance and training to employees. In 2011, Motor Age Magazine named Rad Air Complete Car Care as the #1 automotive repair shop in the USA and has included them annually in their list of the top 10 shops in the USA since 2010.

Jay Goninen is the Co-Founder & President of WrenchWay, and the Founder & President of Find A Wrench. Jay started working in his family’s independent repair shop at the age of nine, and has worked in the industry ever since. Jay started his professional career as a technician, and then moved into management roles within the automotive and diesel industries. Additionally, Jay is the host of the Beyond the Wrench podcast and the WrenchWay Weekly YouTube show.

What you need to know about Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) is changing as the number and type of ADAS-equipped vehicles grows. Are you up with the latest version? This session will cover the latest information on ADAS and help prepare you for the Autonomous Vehicles of the future. Update your ADAS knowledge as we cover:

• The electronic revolution is far from over.
• Everything ADAS – What You Need to Know
• The Diagnostics Dilemma
• The Calibration Conundrum
• AV & Me

Presenter: Scott Brown

Scott Brown is a professional automotive service technician with over 37 years of professional experience. He is dedicated to continually advancing his technical competencies on current and future automotive systems. Scott is also a technical instructor with a strong focus on vehicle electronics, vehicle network communications, engine performance, automotive service information systems, and advanced driver assistance systems service, diagnostics, and repair.