New Page 1ASSOCIATION UPDATEASA: Annual Business Meeting Report BEDFORD, TX (May 9, 2006) - The Automotive Service Association (ASA) held its annual business meeting April 26 through 29 in Austin, TX. The event provided a forum for several association leadership activities, including open meetings of the ASA affiliate assembly and board of directors; the installation of the new 2006-2007 board; and a State of the Association address by Ron Pyle, ASA's president and chief staff executive. An open forum of ASA's Collision and Mechanical Operations Committees was also held during the event. ASA Board: Charles Elder was named chairman of ASA's board of directors for 2006-07. He succeeds Denny Kahler who moves to the past chairman's seat on the board of directors for one year. Other members of ASA's 2006-07 board include chairman-elect Aaron Clements, secretary/treasurer Reggie Denney, as well as general directors Daniel Guido, Mike Mahneke, and Jerry Burns. Serving as affiliate directors are Dennis Sterwerf, Stephen Keller, and Ron Nagy. The final two board positions are held by Collision Division director Darrell Amberson and Mechanical Division director Earl Dohner. Mechanical Division Operations Committee: This committee represents repair facilities of varying sizes from across the United States. The committee works on behalf of all ASA mechanical members to advance and promote the automotive service and repair industry. Several committee projects are handled through various subcommittees, which currently include education and training, emissions testing, extended service plans advisory, information availability, marketing, and shop licensing. Chaired by Earl Dohner, the committee is comprised of Steve Brotherton, Robert Ayers, Rick Baker, Mike Brewster, Mike Koebke, Bill Moss, Howard Pitkow, Terry Steenholdt, Dave Walter and Bob Wills. Collision Division Operations Committee: Members of this committee represent shops of varying sizes from across the United States. The committee works on behalf of all ASA collision members to advance and promote the collision repair industry. Several committee projects are handled through various subcommittees, which currently include refinish, automobile manufacturer, estimating, insurance and salvage. The committee will be chaired by Darrell Amberson, and he will be assisted by members Mike Anderson, Dan Bailey, Jerry Burns, Ken Hanley, Scott Kallemeyn, Ron Nagy, Carroll Proctor, Roy Schnepper, Mike Schoonover and Dan Stander. State of the Association Address: Ron Pyle provided an overview of the association's initiatives and highlighted its successes during the past year. He commended both of ASA's division operations committees for their increased industry participation and influence in a variety of industry activities. He also shared with attendees ASA's continued priority to offer members the best benefits available to the automotive service and repair professional, benefits that "add value to your bottom line." Identifying ASA as a member-first organization, Pyle stressed that ASA is a member-first organization. "An association can't serve two masters. We must listen to our members and respond accordingly," said Pyle. "And experience can be the ultimate differentiator." Pyle added, "ASA has the most talented and motivated volunteer staff out there. When it comes to conference calls, everybody dials in; for meetings, everybody shows up; and when we need ideas, everybody contributes ... You are the best ambassadors that we have."
(Source: ASA)
