The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) and the Automotive Service Association (ASA) have jointly announced that Jennifer Kinney, office manager for Classic Auto Collision, Marquette, Mich., is the recipient of this year’s Richard Cossette/Gale Westerlund Memorial Scholarship.

Kinney has worked in the collision industry for more than 10 years and is currently completing the necessary requirements to earn the Institute’s Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. When not working in the shop, she contributes her time to various community and industry organizations.

Richard Cossette owned Lehman’s Garage in Minneapolis, Minn., and was a charter founder of AMI and a $50,000 Charter Counselor contributor to AMI’s resource development effort EXCEL. He was the first chairman of EXCEL and was a recipient of AMI’s Annual Recognition Award in 1994. He was awarded an honorary Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation in 1997 to further recognize his commitment and dedication to AMI. He also held numerous leadership positions on the ASA board of directors and was active in several industry organizations until his death in 2002.

Westerlund owned and operated Gale’s Auto Center in Blaine, Minn., and was a $25,000 Guarantor contributor to EXCEL. He earned the Institute’s AAM designation in 1993, and also served on the ASA board of directors for many years. He was an active member of ASA and other collision industry organizations until his death in 2005.

As the scholarship recipient, Kinney receives $1,000 to help cover expenses to attend educational sessions and view the latest repair technologies and equipment during the 2012 International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE), Oct. 10-13, in New Orleans.

“I am honored and grateful to receive this scholarship. The opportunity to continue seeking knowledge and experience in the industry enables me to become a stronger, better manager and leader for my team,” said Kinney.