Honoring Tom Piippo: A Legacy of Leadership in the Automotive Industry
After many years of dedicated service, ASA Secretary/Treasurer Tom Piippo is stepping down as he finishes out his final term on the ASA Board of Directors following the sale of his shop, Tri-County Motors, last fall. His leadership, advocacy and commitment have impacted the Automotive Service Association and the independent automotive service industry. Piippo has championed repair shops throughout his tenure, fostered industry collaboration and built a strong nationwide network of peers.
Piippo’s journey with ASA began when he saw the power of collective action among shop owners. Before even joining, he worked to unite local businesses in the Rudyard, Michigan, area. After discovering ASA-Michigan’s The Garage Key in the early 2000s, he joined ASA in 2003 and quickly became involved.
His leadership led him to serve in various ASA roles, including regional director, the Mechanical Operations Committee (MOC), and most recently, ASA national secretary/treasurer. On the MOC, he was key in steering the organization and championing initiatives like the ongoing Parts Quality project. He ran for the ASA Board to continue his service when he termed out from the MOC.
Having sold his business after 47 years, Piippo is now in transition. He’s currently assisting at the shop while adjusting to this new phase. A lifelong car enthusiast, he used part of the proceeds from the sale of his shop to build a garage that can withstand Michigan winters while housing his car projects like a 1951 Ford Truck and a Ford Flathead V8 – interests shaped by his late friend, and former ASA member, Jim Linder.
Beyond ASA, Piippo’s contributions to the industry and his community have earned him multiple honors. He was ASE Technician of the Year in 1999, 2005, and 2009, and received the 2010 Al Valle Award from ASA-Michigan. In 2012, he was named Rudyard’s Citizen of the Year, and in 2015, the Michigan Recreation and Park Association recognized his volunteer ski trail maintenance efforts.
Piippo and his wife, Kris, love road-tripping across the country in their travel trailers. Their next adventure takes them to Philadelphia in July for the ASA meeting alongside the Collision Industry Conference (CIC). During their travels, they plan to connect with industry peers and ASA friends like Diane Larson and Pete Rudloff. For Piippo, networking is about more than socializing – it’s about sharing knowledge and driving the industry forward.
His philosophy on leadership has always been service-driven. “I have been a civil and industry servant and leader for most of my life. A leader is just a servant on a different level,” he once said. Since opening his shop in 1978, he has believed in collaboration over mere complaints, inspiring others to contribute to industry progress.
As a blogger for AutoInc.org, Piippo has shared valuable insights, guiding shop owners through industry changes, business improvements, and new opportunities. He also encourages members to use the Automotive Management Institute’s (AMi) educational resources.
Though he’s stepping away from the ASA Board, Piippo’s influence will continue shaping the association and the broader industry. His dedication has strengthened ASA’s role as a voice for independent repairers. He says about his ASA leadership, “I truly hope I’ve helped steer this ship on a true course!”
Thank you, Tom, for your years of service and leadership. While your board tenure may end, your influence and fruits from your dedicated leadership will endure for years.
