ASE Declares June 7-13 As Professionals Week

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has declared June 7-13 as National Automotive Service Professionals Week.

2010 marks the fifth anniversary of the special week, which was created to honor the commitment and dedication of automotive, truck and collision technicians, along with parts specialists and other support professionals who serve the motoring public.

ASE will provide a form letter and enlist the aid of local shop owners in each state to petition their respective governors to mark this special week.

For more information, visit www.ase.com.

WIN Offering Scholarships

There's still time for full-time students, instructors and collision shop employees to apply for scholarships to attend the 2010 Women's Industry Network (WIN) Conference in Orlando, Fla., May 2-4. But hurry! March 5 is the deadline for applications.

For more information, contact Jennifer Justice-Haley at (513) 266-0748 or by e-mail at Jennifer@valleypaint.com.

Foundation Donates $1.7 Million

The I-CAR Education Foundation provided $1.7 million in support to collision schools, instructors and students in 2009. And for being able to do so, it thanks all the individuals and firms that donated money for that purpose.

Scott Kruger, the foundation's executive director, said: "The Foundation exists and supports a network of 1,300 schools only through the industry's support. Without this support, the Foundation would not exist."

Chamber Honors Merle Pfeifer

Merle Pfeifer, AAM

Merle Pfeifer, AAM, the owner/CEO of Sparks Car Care in Federal Way, Wash., has been named "Volunteer of the Year" by that city's Chamber of Commerce.

Pfeifer is a member of the Automotive Service Association's Mechanical Division Operations Committee. He is also president of the Pierce County ASA unit and is actively involved on local and state government affairs committees of ASA-Washington.

Elite Has New Web Site

Bob Cooper, an Automotive Management Institute instructor and the president of Elite Worldwide Inc., has announced that Elite has a new Web site: www.eliteworldwidestore.com.

The Web site will offer worldwide, affordable sales; marketing; and employee management solutions for automotive professionals.

NASTF to Meet April 20

The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) has scheduled its spring meeting for April 20th at the Meritage Resort in Napa, Calif. The meeting will be held in conjunction with the Equipment and Tool Institute's ToolTech.

For more information on ToolTech, visit www.etools.org. Additional data on NASTF can be found at www.nastf.org.

AkzoNobel Eliminates Lead

AkzoNobel has announced that it has successfully eliminated the use of lead compounds from all North American Car Refinishes paint brand formulations - including Sikkens, Lesonal, U-Tech and Wanda.

This action follows the earlier adoption of lead-free toner formulations, which the company has marketed for many years.