ASA-Rhode Island Holds Educational Event

The ASA-Rhode Island affiliate held an educational event May 15-16 at the Radisson Providence Airport Hotel in Warwick, R.I., with more than 30 in attendance. The two-day event featured three Automotive Management Institute (AMI) seminars, including "You Have the Right to Repair" and "The Competition for Customer Loyalty," both taught by Bill Haas, AAM. George Witt, AAM, presented the two-part "Survival Skills for the Service Advisor." Attendees earned 24 credits toward the institute's Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation.

In addition to the management education lineup, ASA-Rhode Island held a dinner for attendees to network and enjoy live entertainment.

Ohio Members Receive BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics

Jim and Vicki Williams, owners of Williams Norwalk Tire & Alignment, were awarded the Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Northwestern Ohio and Southeastern Michigan. The award was presented at the third annual BBB Torch Award luncheon held May 12 in Toledo, Ohio. More than 450 BBB members and guests attended the event, which included a special address by nationally known journalist John Stossel.

The Torch Award is presented to companies in recognition of their outstanding commitment to exceptional standards in relationships to their consumers, employees, suppliers, competitors, shareholders and surrounding communities. Williams Norwalk Tire & Alignment has been in business for 16 years and an ASA member since 2003.

"It was truly an honor to be nominated by one of our customers. And then to actually win was extremely exciting," said Vicki Williams. "We are normally not the type of people to bring attention to ourselves, but we feel that by receiving this great honor we represent all the independent automotive dealers with similar ethics. We wanted to share our experience to let others in our business know that all of us have the ability to achieve this honor."

Maryland Member Named Business Person of the Year

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced that Brian England, AAM, of British American Auto Care Inc., an Automotive Service Association (ASA) member, has been selected as the 2004 Maryland Small Business Person of the Year.

The selection for this award was based on several criteria including staying power, a significant history as an established business, growth in the number of employees, increase in sales and or unit volume, innovation of product or service offered, response to adversity and contributions by the nominee to aid in community-oriented projects.

"It is a tremendous honor to receive this award from the Maryland Small Business Administration - not only for me, but for the industry as a whole. I would not be where I am today without support from ASA, its management courses and the community," said England.

England has been a longtime ASA member and earned his Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation in 1996 from the Automotive Management Institute (AMI).

Around ASA in September 2000 reported England's winning the national 2000 Energy Star for Small Business Award. England's shop was featured in the Shop Profile section of the February 2002 AutoInc. and in the January 2002 issue of AutoInc., his shop was cited for having one of the Top 10 Automotive Repair Web Sites.

ASA-Prescott Chapter Conducts Car Care Clinic

The ASA-Prescott, Ariz., chapter recently held its first car care clinic in several years. The clinic, which was extremely successful, was held April 17 at the Frontier Village Shopping Center in Prescott and attracted about 84 people to the inspection lanes. "From our local ASA businesses, we had 33 people assisting with the inspections," said Marissa Pfeiffer of Certified Transmission and chapter representative. Yavapai College provided six more people to assist with the inspections.

In addition to the check lanes, the chapter had a live remote broadcast by local KPPV radio station and Duffy Anthony, of ABC Body and Frame, cooked hot dogs. The chapter also sold raffle tickets for items such as a wooden picnic table, two wooden benches, a die-cast model car and other items. "We had many giveaways to hand out, thanks to our local merchants. A total of 35 merchants helped support the event," said Pfeiffer.

The chapter thanks those who supported the event: ABC Body & Frame, American Towing, Canyon Auto & Truck, Car Care by Bob, Certified Transmissions, Euromotors, Integrity Automotive, Interstate Batteries, Jim's Auto Clinic, NAPA Auto Parts, Owl's Auto Body, Prescott Auto Body, Prescott Import Car Service, Prescott Tuneup and Snap-on Tools.

The chapter has 15 regular members and five associate members. The support of 15 of the 20 members indicates the excellent working relationship and spirit the Prescott chapter possesses.

NATIONAL NEWS

• The premier event of mechanical repair - the Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) - is unmatched in regard to management seminars, technical courses and exhibitor showcase. The 2004 event will be held Nov. 4-6 at the Flamingo Las Vegas.

  In recent years, CARS has expanded its educational program and now offers the single best opportunity for industry professionals to receive training from the nation's best instructors - both technical and management.

  The theme of this year's show is "Feel the Power." In keeping with this theme, CARS 2004 will offer cutting-edge technical training and management courses approved by the Automotive Management Institute (AMI). The event will also provide ample networking opportunities, including the third annual Service Professionals Industry Reception, co-sponsored by ASA and the International Automotive Technicians' Network (iATN); and an exhibitor showcase featuring the latest in automotive products and services. In addition, automobile manufacturers will be on-hand to present new product technology seminars during the show.

  CARS attendees come from all over the nation. They bring with them information, answers and solutions that may seem pertinent to only their locale. When sharing ideas and experiences with their colleagues, they find that this information helps people in other parts of the country. For registration and housing information, visit the CARS Web site, www.CARSonline.org.

• The new ASA online Membership Directory is located in the Members Only section of the ASA Web site and was launched in June.