2011 AYES/ASE Instructor of the Year

David White, third from left, of Parkside High School in Salisbury, Md., has been named the 2011 AYES/ASE Instructor of the Year. From left are Tim Zilke, ASE president and CEO; Roger Foss, AYES chairman; White; Chuck Roberts, AYES president; and John Pfennig, ASE chairman. The award was presented at the ASE Technician Awards Dinner in Charlotte, N.C., Nov. 16. White has been an instructor for 25 years and holds a masters equivalency in career and technical education.

Lehman’s Garage 1st Store Reopens

Lehman’s Garage, which has six locations in the Minneapolis area, is back in its flagship location that it has called home for 94 years.

The first store, on Lyndale Avenue in South Minneapolis, was torn down to make way for a 20,000 square foot facility that is more energy efficient, customer friendly and smartly designed. Lehman’s has been part of the Lyndale neighborhood since its start in 1917, offering auto body, service, and glass repairs.

Lehman’s celebrated with an open house Nov. 17. Approximately 275 past and present customers, vendors, employees, family and friends enjoyed the occasion. Above is the new Lehman’s Garage building on Lyndale. Among those attending the grand opening were, from left: Darrell Amberson, president of Lehman’s Garage; Whitey Westlund; Ron Cossette; Doris Lehman; Karen Cossette, Lehman’s Garage CEO; and Rick Cossette.

Oregon Honors Hawthorne Auto

Hawthorne Auto Clinic of Port­land, Ore., has been honored by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) for its efforts to foster a more livable community. Co-owners Jim Houser and Liz Dally were cited. Houser’s work to increase small business employees’ access to health care and to provide career paths in mechanical fields for diverse youth helped earn Haw­thorne Auto’s Civil Rights Cham­pion award for 2011. Also helping win the award was Dally’s support for BradleyAngle House and leadership on workplace protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking – a civil right enforced by BOLI, coupled with the business commitment of Haw­thorne Auto Clinic to the environment as a certified Eco-Logical Business.

ALLDATA Marks 25th Anniversary

ALLDATA LLC, a longtime ASA benefit provider and a leading provider of manufacturers’ automotive repair information, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. “In 1986 our founders had a vision,” said Jeff Legges, president of ALLDATA. “Since then, we have continued to lead the industry with innovative products that drive efficiencies and profitability throughout a shop’s operations. We like to say we offer ‘counter-to-fender’ solutions, and it’s true. Our growth has been a direct result of anticipating needs and listening to our customer. We owe a great debt to our customers for helping us develop products that have a positive impact on their businesses.”

Important ASA Membership Information

Every successful business monitors its operating expenses and cost of doing business – the Automotive Service Associa­tion is no different in that regard. To maintain association business services at the level our members deserve, the ASA board of directors has approved a dues increase that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2012.

The 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. In addition, the board approved to offer all regular members the enhanced listing on the Shop Locator as part of the membership. Previously, this option was a subscription-based service and was offered for an additional $60 annually. This feature allows consumers to easily locate ASA member-shops for their servicing and maintenance needs. For more info about this great benefit, please see pages 6-7.

To assist members in spreading the costs of membership over an entire year, rather than making a single payment, ASA offers a continuous membership payment option. Members may elect to pay membership dues by credit card in annual, quarterly or semiannual payments. This payment option saves time because once members sign up for the program, they will have the convenience of automatic renewal and will not have to remember to write a check for their ASA dues. A member’s credit card statement will be receipt of payment.

To take advantage of ASA’s Continuous Membership payment option, contact the ASA Membership Services Dept. at (800) 272-7467, ext. 361, or the accounting department at ext. 120.