2016 National Elections Voting Opens Feb. 15
The candidates profiled on the following pages comprise the official ballot for the 2016 elections for the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) national board of directors. All regular members in good standing with ASA are eligible to vote for one position of general director, and mechanical members may vote for the one position of ASA mechanical division director (division assignments are made at the time a member joined ASA).
How to Vote
Elections will take place online using a secured website. All regular members of ASA may vote anytime between Feb. 15 through March 15, 2016, 5 p.m. (CST). Please note the following:
• Of the candidates running for the two positions, the incumbent is listed first.
• Locate your six-digit member number and three-digit security code found on the mailing label of this issue. The numbers are printed directly above your name and enclosed by parentheses. You must have these numbers to vote. You must also complete the entire voting process to register your vote.
• Log on to vres.us/asa.
• Voting is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Internet access is required to vote. If you do not have Internet access, call VR Election Services at (800) 281-4026, for assistance Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., CST.
• After accessing the voting site, you’ll be asked to enter your member number and three-digit security code. When you enter this information, you’ll be directed through the voting process. If at any time you experience a problem, please call (800) 281-4026, for assistance.
Do not attempt to mail these ballots. They have been included only to notify you of the candidates and their backgrounds. Like most electronic voting systems, the voting process is designed to be simple, quick and easy to use.
Election results will be announced during the 2016 ASA annual business meeting held April 25-27 in Washington, D.C.
Voting will be conducted from Feb. 15-March 15, 2016. All ASA members in good standing will be sent an e-ballot for voting.
General Director
Candidate Spotlight: John Cochrane (Incumbent)
Business Name: Cochrane Automotive
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Years in Business: 43
ASA Member Since: 2003
Contact Info: john@cochraneauto.ca
FYI …
John Cochrane, who is up for re-election as general director, was appointed to the board of directors of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) following the annual meeting of the board in April this year. He succeeded Bill Moss, AAM, who became secretary-treasurer of the board of directors.
Cochrane is the owner and president of Cochrane Automotive in Toronto. For more than 40 years, Cochrane Automotive operated two independent divisions, a parts operation and an automotive service facility that were housed in two separate buildings on the same street.
In April 2014, the Cochrane Automotive parts division was sold to a major North American parts distributor. Cochrane continues to operate the 11-bay, well-equipped shop that specializes in advanced high-tech electronics and computer diagnostics.
He also owns and operates Cochrane Training Services, which opened in the early 1980s to retrain and update licensed automotive technicians in the latest technology and equipment to ensure they’re ready for the new, technologically advanced vehicles. Wearing both the parts and service hats for more 43 years gives Cochrane first-hand, valuable knowledge and insight into the challenges automotive service repair facilities face today.
The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA in Canada, equivalent to AAA in the United States) has named his shop “Shop of the Year” for 2015. In 2012, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, given in recognition of his significant contribution to the automotive aftermarket industry.
Cochrane also has been the recipient of the Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada’s 2010 Distinguished Service Award, which recognized his outstanding leadership and personal contribution to the growth and development of Canada’s automotive aftermarket industry. It is the highest award presented by AIA of Canada to an outstanding individual within association membership.
In his own words:
“Running a parts operation, as well as a repair facility, has given me insight into the role the parts supplier must play to ensure the future survival of the automotive service provider. The automotive aftermarket has been very good to me and my family and employees for 43 years. To ensure the industry remains healthy, I want to continue to give back by being involved in ASA. I still have the same passion for the industry that I had the first day I started my business.”
General Director
Candidate Spotlight: Frank Leutz
Business Name: Desert Car Care of Chandler
Location: Chandler, Ariz.
Years in Business: 25 years
ASA Member Since: 2007
Contact Info: frank@desertcarcare.com
FYI …
Frank Leutz is a candidate for general director for the board of directors of the Automotive Service Association. He is the owner of Desert Car Care of Chandler, Ariz.
Leutz has been president of the Phoenix Chapter of ASA-Arizona, an affiliate of the Automotive Service Association, since 2012.
He is also a member of the board of directors of ASA-Arizona.
In his own words:
“As a result of my accomplishments and activities in leadership, my passion to cultivate a positive vision for ASA members is deeply ingrained. I believe big achievements are attainable for all members – through well-organized, clear goals taken with small steps. Because of my understanding of members and earnest communication, I believe I can bring an enthusiastic and encouraging outlook to the board of directors at ASA National. I can help translate vision into reality.”
Mechanical Division Director
Candidate Spotlight: Robert M. “Bob” Wills, AAM (Incumbent)
Business Name: Wills Auto Service
Location: Battle Creek, Mich.
Years in Business: 43 years
ASA Member Since: 1981
Contact Info: awilar@aol.com
FYI …
Robert M. “Bob” Wills, AAM, believes his experience as an ASA general director and service as a member of ASA’s executive committee give him the qualifications to continue serving ASA on the board of directors. He has served as a general director for four years on ASA’s board, as member of ASA’s Mechanical Division Operations Committee for six years and as a member of the Government Affairs Committee for four years.
On the state level, Wills has served as Mechanical Division director, chairman-elect, chairman, past chairman and regional director of ASA-Michigan.
On the local level, he has served as president of the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek chapter of ASA. He continues to serve as chairman of the Calhoun
County Career Center Automotive Advisory Council.
In 2007, at ASA’s annual convention, Wills received the Alpha Award, which recognizes an ASA Mechanical Division member for his generous and far-reaching contributions to the automotive service industry.
Wills has attended the Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) for the past 10 years. He also has attended five national conventions.
In his own words:
“I am a person of dedication and commitment, a believer in our industry, and I want to continue supporting ASA as the leading organization for our industry. I maintain an open mind and always try to decide what’s the best direction to follow. My 43 years in the industry have prepared me for my leadership role.”
Mechanical Division Director
Candidate Spotlight: Peter V. “Pete” Rudloff
Business Name: Pete’s Garage Inc.
Location: Newark, Del.
Years in Business: 22
ASA Member Since: 2009
Contact Info: petervrudloff@gmail.com
FYI …
Peter V. “Pete” Rudloff is a regular contributor to AutoInc. magazine as author of “Show Me the Fix.” He also has served four years on the Operations Committee of ASA’s Mechanical Division.
Rudloff, in “Show Me the Fix,” takes on the diagnostic dilemmas that have stumped other shops and wins. His team is the crew you turn to for fixing the problem cars that leave most scratching their heads.
In addition to ASA, he is a member of iATN, Delaware Training Group and Delaware Automotive Service Professionals.
He is the coordinator of the Delaware Training Group, served two years on the board of directors of the Delaware Automotive Service Providers, is part of the Cardone Industries Think Tank and has served on the advisory board for Tech Comp.
Fifty percent of his technicians are ASE certified, and 50 percent are ASE master certified. Rudloff is ASE master L1 certified.
Rudloff has attended NACE | CARS the past four years. He also has attended ASA’s annual business meeting for the past four years.
In his own words:
“Those who know me know I am ASA loyal, industry loyal and that I am always on the side of making the industry better. I serve on the Mechanical Division Operations Committee because ASA has fundamentally sound ethical philosophies that I feel closely match my own. I have always wanted to be part of making a difference, especially if it means raising the bar for the industry. In everything in which I’m involved, I bring those around me up to their greatest potential by challenging them to be better and to not accept the status quo. I have always had this trait and because of this, I feel I can impact the rest of the board, and in turn, the industry, in a positive way.”
