Call for Candidates for the National Board of Directors
Get involved in ASA leadership.

Any regular member interested in being considered for the Automotive Service Association (ASA) national board of directors should contact the national office and request a "consideration form." For 2011, there are two open positions for general director.

Contact Jo Ann Abramuk toll free at (800) 272-7467, ext. 211, for a consideration form. Forms must be completed and received no later than Tuesday, July 6, 2010. The 2011 Nominating Committee is chaired by Earl Dohner, AAM, E&E's Garage, Brookville, Ohio. Members serving on the committee are: Aaron Clements, AAM, C&C Automotive, Augusta, Ga.; Camille Eber, AAM, Roth & Miller Autobody Inc., Portland, Ore.; Dave Lanspeary, AAM, Dave's Auto Repair, Youngtown, Ariz.; Dan Meyer, AAM, Kay Parks/Dan Meyer Auto Rebuild Inc., Tacoma, Wash.; Howard Pitkow, AAM, Wagenwerx Inc., Glenside, Pa.

Bosch Offering Batteries

Bosch is launching a comprehensive automotive battery program in the United States with the introduction of three new passenger vehicle lines and a high-tech AGM passenger vehicle line for extreme conditions and start/stop applications.

The maintenance-free batteries are designed to handle the increasing power requirements of today's vehicles. For more info on Bosch Automotive Products, visit www.boschautoparts.com.

Alldata Stresses OE Info

Alldata LLC, which provides vehicle manufacturers' service and repair information for professional repair shops, has released a white paper stressing the need for collision repair facilities to have vehicle manufacturers' original equipment (OE) repair information.

Given how rapidly vehicle technology is changing, more and more collision shops are realizing they need up-to-date information for working on alternative steels, magnesium, aluminum, composites and plastics. In some cases, new adhesives are required to make repairs rather than traditional welding techniques.

For more information, visit www.alldata.com.

Don't Forget Ron's Blog

Don't forget to visit the president's blog. Ron Pyle, ASA's president, posts a new blog weekly.

The purpose of his blog is to provide commentary about the automotive repair industry and association news. Readers are always invited to comment, and many do.

It makes for interesting reading. Among especially interesting recent blogs have been "The 'Numbers' Game," April 6; "At Your Request: Meet the New ASA Marketplace," March 2; and "Have I Got a Proposition for You," Feb. 15.

You may visit the president's blogs via the ASA Web site, www.asashop.org, or direct by clicking on http://blog.asashop.org.

NABC Opens Nominations

The National Auto Body Council (NABC) has announced the opening of nominations for the 15th annual PRIDE Awards, which recognize those in the collision industry who selflessly donate their time, energy and financial resources to worthy causes outside the industry.

Nomination forms are available from the NABC Web site, Go to www.autobodycouncil.org and click on PRIDE AWARDS >Nomination Form. Nominations can be submitted online. Deadline is Sept. 15, 2010.

Get A 'Leg Up' on Your Competition

ASA's digital PR Kit is designed to help you, our member, with your public relations and advertising campaigns. The kit contains an array of prewritten press releases, photography tips, print- and Web-based advertising samples and suggestions, and an audio clip ready for use on your Web site. Log in to the ASA Members Only section to access the PR Kit. Click on "ASA's PR Kit" button in the left navigation menu.

I-CAR Foundation Board Includes ASA Members

Geralynn Kottschade, AAM, and Stacy Bartnik - both members of the Automotive Service Association - were included recently when the I-CAR Education Foundation announced its slate of trustees and executive committee for 2010.

Kottschade, co-owner of Jerry's Body Shop in Mankato, Minn., was named to the executive committee as a member-at-large. Kottschade is a past chairwoman of the Women's Industry Network. In 2004, she was named the first female chairman of ASA and served as chairman of NACE two years.

Bartnik, with CARSTAR, is a member of the foundation's board of trustees.

Trustee Emeriti include longtime ASA members Chuck S. Sulkala, AAM, of Acme Body and Paint Co. Inc. in Boston and the late Russell Verona, AAM, of East Rockford Collision Center Inc. in Rockford, Ill.