AAIA and ASE Recognize World Class Technicians

Of the more than 759,000 automotive technicians working in the United States, 20 outstanding individuals have qualified for the 2011 World Class Technician Award. The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) work together to recognize these professional technicians who have tested and obtained ASE certification in 22 specialty areas during the 2010 test administrated by ASE.

Dale R. Barror, Brant, MI;
Ricky L. Bolin, Grapevine, TX;
Lamont T. Burck, Windsor Mill, MD;
Thomas V. Cangelosi, Turnersville, NJ;
Michael S. Cassell, Carrollton, VA;
Thomas J. Fontana, Madison, WI;
Walter C. Hazelton, Cocoa, FL;
William E. Horcher, Grapevine, TX;
Darby L. Jones, Goleta, CA;
Corey M. Kansas, Kenosha, WI;
Charles V. Lamorgia, Mount Laurel, NJ:
Kameron A. Morthole, Henderson, NV;
Thomas M. Palermo, Mount Laurel, NJ;
Norman B. Petroski, Des Plaines, IL;
Demetrius J. Pazaris, Deer Isle, ME;
David M. Price, Berryville, VA;
Vince L. Sauberlich, Manawa, WI;
Allen J. Smith, Greenville, MI;
Ronald J. Stewart, Mount Laurel, NJ; and
Ted Zubek, Chicago, IL.

“The AAIA World Class Technician Award is for automotive diagnostic and repair professionals what the Super Bowl is for professional football players or what the Stanley Cup is for hockey players,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. “Just imagine the knowledge and skills needed by a technician to pass 22 ASE tests. These folks are truly the best of the best and we are proud to be associated with them through our annual recognition in conjunction with ASE.”

“This recognition partnership between AAIA and ASE goes back 26 years and represents the most significant achievement award available to our ASE-certified professionals,” said Tim Zilke, ASE president & CEO. “ASE is grateful for the support AAIA provides to our service professionals in recognizing these outstanding individuals each year and we celebrate a quarter century of this commitment to excellence with AAIA.”

Since the World Class Technician recognition was established 24 years ago, only 1,813 technicians have been honored. Recipients receive a special certificate signed by the presidents of ASE and AAIA, a logo medallion and embroidered shoulder insignia. Additionally, their name is perpetually inscribed in an honor book located in the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, MI.

About ASE
Incorporated on June 12, 1972, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was established as a non-profit organization to help improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians and parts specialists. Today, there are approximately 400,000 ASE-certified professionals who work in dealerships, independent shops, service stations, collision repair shops, auto parts stores, fleets, machine shops, schools and colleges throughout the country. For more information about ASE, visit www.ase.com.

About AAIA
AAIA is a Bethesda, MD-based association whose more than 23,000 member companies and affiliates manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, service, tools, equipment, materials and supplies. Through its membership, AAIA represents more than 100,000 repair shops, parts stores and distribution outlets.

When Your Shop Is Worth Much More Than You Thought

Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.

Case Study: Owner of San Francisco-based Import Service Shop Delighted to Discover Just How Valuable His Business is to Qualified Buyers
I sometimes share case studies of the clients I have been able to assist in my role as an aftermarket business broker and provider of intermediary and advisory services. I do that when I think the story will provide a reader in similar circumstances with new insights or helpful information.
In the case of Cowden Automotive, Inc., I acted in a consulting capacity assisting the owner and his broker in valuing the business, creating a marketing plan, finding a qualified buyer, and arranging financing for the sale.
Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.
Needless to say, delivering that kind of good news to a shop owner is a rewarding experience. Discovering that the sale of his business would result in his retirement nest-egg being substantially larger than he had ever thought was a fitting tribute to someone who had spent his entire working career as a busy automotive service shop owner.

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