ASA Works on Behalf of Its Members

Posted 10/1/2008
By Reggie Denney, AAM, Chairman

You have a very capable group of people running your trade organization in Bedford, Texas.

Your elected board of directors is representative of ASA members. Under my leadership, the board of directors is aware of the ASA strategic plan and we will, with the help of the staff, do what we have to do to lead ASA in the right direction. We will be responsive to you and your industry. We want you to be proud to be an ASA member.

Ron Pyle's contract has been extended for five more years. As president of this great association, Ron will lead ASA into the next decade. Ron and his paid staff are concerned about each of you as a member and as a business owner. Ron is also good with our industry leaders. He knows most of the leaders of other automotive associations. He has your best interest in mind with all of his decisions.

In addition to your board of directors and Ron's leadership, you have several committees working for you.

ASA's Mechanical Division Operations Committee - under the staff leadership of Robbie Addison, Mechanical Division manager, and board member Rolf Werner, Mechanical Division director - works on behalf of all ASA members. The committee is actively addressing several important issues, including parts quality, education and training, and consumer-targeted brochures. In regard to parts quality, the committee has recently met with retail and aftermarket parts distributors and a parts manufacturer. The committee also recently completed a research paper on telematics and the extended service plan guidelines for shop owners.

ASA's Collision Division Operations Committee - under the staff leadership of Denise Caspersen, Collision Division manager, and board member Darrell Amberson, Collision Division director - is also working hard for you, the member. They have met with insurance company representatives and discussed a lot of situations that you face every day, such as blend within panel, not-included processes, and other concerns. They have also created a number of useful business tools to help you in your day-to-day operations, most of which are free to members and available in the Members Only section of the ASA Web site.

The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) - under the direction of Bob Redding, your Washington, D.C., representative - monitors all automotive issues that could affect ASA members. Your GAC is also in charge of your Political Action Committee (PAC) fund. Bob is continually monitoring the regulations, proposals and legislation likely to have an impact on ASA members, and keeps the board of directors and ASA staff informed. Bob is working hard in Washington, D.C., for you and your business, and the GAC is working closely with him to make sure the right decisions are made on your behalf.

You are in very good hands with your volunteers and paid staff. If you are ever in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, please stop by and visit the ASA office and staff in Bedford. You will be impressed with all that goes on there on your behalf.