ASA Member Named TECH-NET Technician of the Year

Greg Epsaro, longtime ASA member and owner of Harriman Auto in Harriman, N.Y., was named the 2006 TECH-NET Professional Auto Service/ASE Technician of the Year.

Epsaro, who has acquired 47 ASE certifications, has more than 25 years experience and is continually building on his personal skills and the shop's products and services. Epsaro also invests in his employees and has three ASE master-certified technicians and an ASE-certified service consultant on the staff. The 11-bay facility includes the most up-to-date diagnostic, suspension and alignment equipment available.

"Greg's dedication to the industry and community, along with his passion for technology, is unsurpassed," said Mike DeSorbo, CARQUEST director of market segments. "Adding Greg's name to the list of TECH-NET/ASE Technician of the Year winners only confirms how far one must strive in automotive service excellence to become a winner of this award."

As the winner of the 2006 TECH-NET/ASE Technician of the Year, Epsaro will receive an all-expense paid trip for two to the ASE board meeting where he will be presented a trophy and gold ring and will join the membership of the CARQUEST Advisory Council. More than $20,000 worth of prizes will be awarded to Epsaro. In addition, he will be honored as the co-Grand Marshal at the 2007 CARQUEST 300 NASCAR Busch Series race in Charlotte, N.C.

Important ASA Membership Information

Every successful business monitors its operating expenses and cost of doing business. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is no different in that regard. It is announcing a dues increase beginning January 2007.

ASA is providing its members with an opportunity to lock-in their current membership rates by paying a minimum of three years of membership dues in advance. Your membership rates are guaranteed for the prepaid period. This minimal increase will allow ASA to expand its presence as the association works to fulfill its mission of advancing professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services.

To lock-in your current membership rate or for questions relating to the dues for your location, please contact the ASA membership department at (800) 272-7467, ext. 295; or the accounting department, ext. 220.

I-CAR Presents Founder's Award

Donna Washut of ASA-Washington was presented with the 2006 I-CAR Founder's Award Aug. 5 at I-CAR's annual meeting in San Jose, Calif. Bob Mickey of I-CAR's Western Region bestowed this distinguished honor to Washut by saying, "In addition to her duties for the association, Washut schedules, markets and does the paperwork for I-CAR courses for her district, and serves as the district committee chair." The award recognized the person in each I-CAR region who "exemplifies the I-CAR volunteer spirit."

NAPA Sponsors Local Texas Chapter Meeting

The ASA Houston chapter held a meeting Aug. 8 at the Sheraton Brookhollow Hotel in Houston. Approximately 50 members and associate members gathered to enjoy the networking and valuable information shared by the guest speaker, Moritza Day of the Day West Co.

Day addressed the common problems shop owners face when hiring new employees and provided interesting interview techniques on how to avoid legal pitfalls. Day also provided examples using "attitude-based" questions to expose the prospective employee's true character. Among the common mistakes she outlined for the members was the habit of hiring in our own image. Day is the author of "Networking to Build Your Success" and the co-author of "1000 Best Job Hunting Secrets."

NAPA Auto Parts sponsored the conference and provided all the food as well as meeting space for the August, September and October meetings. In addition, NAPA donated a $1,000 gift certificate redeemable at any NAPA store for parts, tools or merchandise that was awarded at the October meeting to a lucky attendee: Ed Jones of Jones Auto Repair.

Other topics on the agenda included revitalization of the ASA-Houston chapter and activation of the new ASA-Houston Web site that is hosted and designed by ASA national and the new electronic newsletter.

ASA-Houston encourages all interested parties to attend any and all meetings. For more information and for upcoming chapter events, contact Rudy Ramkissoon at president@asahoustontexas.com.

National News

ASA national's membership recruiter, Todd Mehalko, traveled to Indianapolis Sept. 8-10 to attend the Linder Technical Services (LTS) Annual Training Conference & Trade Show. More than 300 technicians and attendees from all over the United States and Canada absorbed a significant amount of information from the training seminars that were held throughout the conference. LTS provides "training solutions for today's technicians" by introducing the techs to "real world training." The conference is held annually, making this the ninth successful year.

Kelly McDonald and Karla Armend‡riz of McDonald Marketing in Dallas on Sept. 9 made a presentation to ASA's national staff on how to "Market Effectively to U.S. Latinos." The Automotive Management Institute-approved course provided beneficial information on targeting the Hispanic community, valuable census data and how to avoid common marketing mistakes. The course also revealed how the exploding Hispanic population is shaping society, how to understand the Latino culture and how to develop a marketing message that reflects the foundation of Latin life.