ASA Membership Dues Increase

Every successful business monitors its operating expenses and cost of doing business. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is no different in that regard. It has increased its national membership dues (as of January 2007).

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.

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.

Educational Scholarships Available

Do you know someone graduating from high school who will be going on to higher education in automotive technology? Scholarships are available through the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS).

ASA representatives are very involved in this program and serve on the selection committee for the scholarships. Last year, more than 150 scholarships were granted to students who planned to enter the automotive aftermarket. Besides the scholarship award, the program has another plus. Students who receive a scholarship and graduate from an automotive program will receive an additional $1,000 once they show they are employed in the automotive service industry.

For eligibility requirements, please visit www.automotivescholarships.com or call the ASA-Michigan office at (734) 354-9250 for more information. The closing date for 2007 GAAS scholarship applications is March 31, 2007.

What Are They Up To?

AutoInc. Profiles Past Chairmen of ASA

Stephen H. Louden
ASA Chairman: 1990-1991

Q: What are you doing currently?
A: I am entering my 30th year as president of Louden Motorcars and work on strategic planning while leaving the daily operations to my very capable managers and staff. I stay active in the industry as a member of the Universal Underwriters customer council; I'm the longest serving member of the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) faculty; a member of a 20 group; attend CARS and Industry Week each year and I'm also a newly elected member of the ASE national board of directors.

Q: What advice would you give to ASA members aspiring to serve on the board?
A: Get involved! Get out of your shop! Volunteer and help yourself and the industry. My business success really started to take off when I first got involved with ASA locally then later on a state level and finally on the national front. Being able to network and learn from other successful business owners has been a priceless benefit of being involved in ASA leadership, which led to other industry venues. Being involved and away from your business has another benefit. It forces you to delegate and develop the skills of your team members. This then lets you be away from your business and have it continue on without you. The more you are involved in ASA, the more valuable people skills you learn that can also be used in the everyday operation of your business. It is a win-win combination.

Q: What are your best memories and accomplishments as chairman?
A: My best memory was being one of the founding members who helped start what is now known as AMI and helping start the EXCEL PARTNERS endowment fund-raising program. An accomplishment that stands out is when I led the executive committee to vote on committing ASA to pledge $250,000 to help start the EXCEL PARTNERS program, which has raised several million dollars to date for education in our industry.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Three ASA national staffers - B.J. Johnson, director, membership development and affiliate relations; Todd Mehalko, account representative/recruiter; and Denise Caspersen, collision division manager - met with approximately 50 members to determine how ASA could better serve the mechanical and collision members of New Mexico. The meeting was held Nov. 13-16, 2006, at the Nativo Lodge in Albuquerque, N.M. In addition to participating in the meeting, Mehalko spent time recruiting new members into the association.

  The assembly was separated into two groups, according to whether they represented mechanical or collision repair shops, to discuss how ASA can incorporate working together both nationally and locally to provide more opportunity for their businesses.

  ASA is dedicated to advancing professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation, and member services. ASA is a member-first organization, governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals.

• Bret Sullins, an ASA national recruiter, spoke on the benefits of ASA membership at a Jan. 7 Management Success! seminar in Nashville, Tenn. Management Success! is a provider of quality management training and consulting for the automotive service industry, and is a longtime associate member of ASA. The association will continue to work with Management Success! in this manner as opportunities arise.