ITEC Scholarship Awarded

Left to right: Don Bressler, Renton Technical College president; Dante Leon, dean; Marty Heilstedt, vice president of instruction; Jack Devine, ITEC instructor; Kyle Evjen, student and scholarship recipient; Joel Baxter, AAM, B&B Auto Repair Inc.; Jeff Lovell, AAM, president/executive director of ASA-Washington; and John McDermott, Car Tender.

ASA-Washington has awarded an Industry Technicians Education Coalition (ITEC) scholarship in the amount of $500 to Kyle Evjen, a student at Renton Technical College (RTC).

Evjen began his automotive training at RTC in September 2008. He obtained his required sponsorship at Car Tender, a high-end European car repair facility in Seattle, which is an ASA member-shop. Evjen has worked at this location since he started the program.

An excellent student at the top of his class, Evjen has experienced some financial challenges as a result of the economy and is appreciative of his scholarship award.

With the help of Joel Baxter, AAM, chairman of the ITEC executive board; and Jeff Lovell, AAM, president/executive director of ASA-Washington, some valuable dollars were made available to assist Evjen with his tuition expenses.

John McDermott, co-owner of Car Tender and Evjen's employer/sponsor, assisted in the presentation. His shop has mentored students from RTC in the past.

In awarding the scholarship, Baxter said, "It is a pleasure to award this scholarship to such a deserving student. Renton Technical College does a great job of developing our future technicians. ITEC has been working with RTC for more than 15 years and RTC and other colleges throughout the state of Washington are good partners for members of the Automotive Service Association."

Editor's Note: For more information on ITEC, click here to read the article, "Touching the Future." from the February 2009 edition of AutoInc.

ASA Launches Annual Business Survey

'How's Your Business?' survey open to member shops; new online format

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has launched its 2009 "How's Your Business?" survey.

Now in its 17th year, the annual business survey of ASA member-shops provides a snapshot of the automotive service and repair industry and showcases the independent segment - the primary market of the ASA membership base. Survey data captures how repair facilities are doing in terms of sales, profits, salaries and other key elements of daily business operations.

All ASA shop-members are encouraged to participate in this year's survey, which has been updated and moved to an online format.

"ASA's annual membership survey is open to all ASA member-shops. The core survey has been condensed to streamline the process for survey participants," said Angie Wilson, ASA's vice president of marketing and communications. "Additional supplemental surveys will be scheduled in the months to come that focus on specific business categories such as advertising practices, continuing education and business profiles."

All regular ASA members in good standing who complete the survey will receive a free copy of "AutoInc.'s 2009 Economic Survival Guide," a collection of four articles and other tips geared toward running a successful service and repair business in today's economy.

In addition, one ASA member will be selected from a drawing of all participants who complete the core survey to receive a $250 VISA gift card. ASA's 2009 "How's Your Business?" core survey closes Sept. 27. The drawing will be held Sept. 29.

Members who have questions regarding the survey participation process may contact Karin White, ASA's project and research specialist, at (800) 272-7467, ext. 252, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. central, Monday through Thursday. The results of the "How's Your Business?" survey are published each year in the December issue of AutoInc. magazine, the official publication of ASA.

National News

• Representatives from Zurich, a longtime ASA-sponsored benefit provider and associate member, recently visited ASA's headquarters in Bedford, Texas. Zurich offers ASA members a variety of business insurance products and recently renewed it's member benefit agreement with the association. Pictured left to right: Scott Hoy, national vice president of sales; Gerry Cecil, aftermarket training and business development specialist; Pepper Snider, regional sales manager, direct markets; John Scully, ASA executive vice president; and Ron Pyle, ASA president and chief staff executive.

• During the recent ASA Executive Committee meeting in Albuquerque, N.M., the ASA leadership takes time out for a hot air balloon ride. Albuquerque is home to the International Balloon Fiesta, which is held annually. From left to right: Marge Amberson, wife of Darrell Amberson, AAM; Ron Pyle, ASA president and chief staff executive; Darrell Amberson, AAM, director of the Collision Division; John Scully, AAM, ASA executive vice president; and Ron Nagy, AAM, secretary/treasurer. Hidden is Jerry Burns, AAM, chairman-elect and balloon enthusiast.

ASA Member Appears on Morning Show ASA member Bill Wiygul, owner of Wiygul Automotive Clinics in the Alexandria, Va., area, makes a guest appearance on Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends Saturday" show Aug. 15 to discuss Cash for Clunkers.