The Automotive Service Association (ASA) honored several of its members Thursday during the ASRW Award Ceremonies. Held in Orlando, Fla., during NACE and CARS, the annual awards event provides a platform in which the association and other industry groups may acknowledge the achievements of some of its outstanding individuals.
Ron Pyle, ASA’s president and chief staff executive, hosted the program, which opened with the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) graduation ceremony recognizing those who have earned the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation.
During the awards ceremony, Tschanen Brandyberry, Motor Age managing editor, presented ASA’s presiding chairman, Ron Nagy, AAM, with a red die-cast replica car in honor of his contributions to the industry. Honoring the ASA chairmen in this way is a longtime tradition of the publisher.
ASA awards presented during the Oct. 6 event included:
The Alpha Award recognizes an ASA Mechanical Division member for his or her generous and far-reaching contributions to the automotive service industry. Howard Pitkow, AAM, Wagenwerx Inc., Wyndmoor, Pa., was the recipient of this year’s honor.
The Phoenix Award recognizes an ASA Collision Division member for his or her contribution to the automotive service industry. Mike Schoonover, Schoonover Body Works and Glass Inc., Shoreview, Minn., was the recipient of this year’s award.
The ASA Benefit Provider of the Year is presented to a sponsored benefit provider in appreciation of its relationship with ASA, and for the value, quality and professional service it offers to ASA members. This year’s recipient was Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Overland Park, Kan., which has a 30-year relationship with the association.
The ASA Chairman’s Award of Excellence recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to ASA and the automotive repair industry. Two honorees were announced this year Mike West, AAM, Southtowne Auto Rebuild Inc., Tukwila, Wash.; and Virginia Duncan, Duncan’s Collision, Boardman, Ohio.
The ASA Legislative Award recognizes those who have made an impact on legislative and regulatory activities. This year’s award posthumously honored the late Paul Duncan, AAM, Duncan’s Collision, Boardman, Ohio.
Following the Automotive Management Institute graduation ceremony, which opened the event, AMI awarded the following scholarships:
Tom B. Babcox Memorial Scholarship: Don Schnitzler, Don’s Auto Repair Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio
Zurich “High Octane” Scholarship: John Firm, Firm Automotive, Fort Worth, Texas
AVI Education Scholarship: Tawaina Frost, Price’s Automotive Service, Wrightsville, Ga.
BodyShop Business Magazine Scholarship: Kristine Linscombe, Hernandez Collision Center, Hinesville, Ga.
Emil Stanley Merit Scholarship: Chris Renfro, Car-O-Van Collision Center, Orlando, Fla.
Richard Cossette/Gale Westerlund Memorial Scholarship: James Noe, Nagy’s Body & Frame, Doylestown, Ohio
The following industry awards were also presented during the event:
Motor Age Top Shop of the Year: Rad Air Complete Car Care, Strongsville, Ohio, Andy Fiffick, owner.
ABRN Top Shop of the Year: O’Rielly Collision Center, Tucson, Ariz. Brian Guerrero, manager.
FenderBender Executive Award: Henry Yach II, Yach’s Body & Custom, Wausau, Wis.
FenderBender Management Award: Devin Fischer, Fischer Body Shop, Jacksonville, Mo.
FenderBender Administrative Support Award: Humberto Ibarra, Gateway Collision Center Inc., Bakersfield, Calif.
FenderBender Shop Worker Award: Zachery Utecht, Offutt Collision Repair, Bellevue, Neb.
FenderBender Vendor Award: Blake Harris, Blue Ridge Color Co., Roanoke, Va.
FenderBender Wildcard Award: Rick Starbard, Rick’s Auto Collision & Service Center, Revere, Mass.
Women’s Industry Network NACE Scholarships: Elizabeth Moore, Houston, Texas; and Alexandra Domar, Maple Grove, Ill.
Russ Verona Memorial/IBIS Scholarship: Ron Nagy, AAM, Nagy’s Collision Centers, Wooster, Ohio.
Award-winners were also acknowledged during the Opening General Session in the Orange County Convention Center Thursday, which featured keynote speaker and marketing guru Chris Brogan.
NACE and CARS will be held during Automotive Service and Repair Week (ASRW) next year when the events move to New Orleans, Oct. 10-13.
More information:
ASRW 2011 and 2012