Schnepper: ASA today & tomorrow

Roy Schnepper

Happy New Year!

Like many of us, I’ve always felt the New Year ushers in a time of reflection on where we are and where we’re going.

Some make resolutions, while others see the change in the calendar as a time for a fresh start.

Both of these are true here at ASA.

With this in mind, I thought it would be appropriate to bring you up to speed on what’s new, what’s now and what’s next in 2019.

Welcome Ray!

Ray Fisher

By now you’ve probably seen the press release on the ASA board’s selection of Ray Fisher as our new executive director. Ray joins the national staff with a broad industry background and long association experience, having served as executive director of the ASA-Michigan affiliate.

We welcome Ray to his new role. We look forward to working with him to grow your association through his knowledge and dedication to serving our members.

New benefit providers

We’re also welcoming several new sponsored benefit providers who recently added new capabilities and value to our suite of member benefits.

If you haven’t taken a look at our Savings4Members page on the ASA website, I encourage you to do so.

Along with those familiar names that have served ASA members well over the years, we now have a new oil program with Chevron, new social media partner in Kukui, new customer communication program for texting with Podium, and a new digital vehicle inspection app with FlexCheck.

ASA benefits not only save money and boost your bottom line, they help to keep our members on the cutting edge of new technology when it comes to customer communication and building relationships that drive your success.

Mid-term elections

The mid-term elections saw a change in Washington. ASA is staying out in front on several legislative areas that directly impact your business.

Bob Redding

Bob Redding, our Washington representative keeps you informed through quarterly reports and our Taking the Hill page on the ASA website.

For 2019, we’ll be making sure your interests have a seat at the table as the new Congress continues to address technological issues like telematics, cybersecurity and the march toward autonomous vehicles.

ASA has your back at the highest levels of government. That includes working with other associations and stakeholder groups on how service and diagnostic needs are changing due to advanced driver assist systems (ADAS). It also includes advocating for the use of OEM collision repair procedures and the important role periodic safety checks can play in making sure that new technology is working as advertised.

Changes on the way

As ASA continues to evolve as an association, 2019 will also bring changes to our MSO Symposium and Technology & Telematics Forum, along with developing a new vision for NACE Automechanika.

In the months to come, I’ll keep you in the loop as we launch some new ideas and update some traditional programs.

For now, I’d like to speak for the board and staff of ASA in wishing you All the Best for the New Year!