The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) recently presented the Russ Robson Scholarship to Robert Kirk of County Line Auto Body in Howell, N.J.

The association presented the award to Kirk on Oct. 24 at its annual meeting in Clark, N.J. The award’s namesake was a former AASP/NJ president.

“Russ was a great personality, a dear friend and had such a passion for education,” AASP/NJ Treasurer Tom Elder said at the meeting. “He was an I-CAR instructor, he taught at a local vocational school and we didn’t want to forget his name.”

Kirk was nominated by newly inducted board member Gary Gardella Jr., who expressed his appreciation for Kirk’s work at County Line Auto Body in Howell.

“Rob is a standout employee and a determined technician,” Gardella said in his nomination. “He demonstrates a dedication to learning and implementing proper repair procedures on each and every repair. He isn’t afraid to ask questions, and always makes himself better with each difficult repair he faces.

“Rob looks to veteran technicians to learn from and better his skillset, and on the flip side, is more than willing to help a new technician throughout the day. I am proud that Rob is a technician at my shop, and I know that any additional knowledge he gains, he will pass on to his fellow colleagues for the betterment of safe collision repairs.”