Speaker Lineup Announced For ETI’s ToolTech 2014

The Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI)
has finalized the speaker lineup for its ToolTech 2014, which takes place April
28 through May 1 in Sonoma, Calif.

The “Connected Shop” has been evolving
for almost two decades, with North American and European standards defining how
shop management systems, information systems and diagnostic tools can share
information in a seamless environment. What do these “connected” strategies
mean as the Connected Car becomes more pervasive in the car parc? ToolTech 2014
will explore the connected shop, both dealership and aftermarket, and how they
will interact with the connected vehicle. ETI has established a powerful lineup
of panel discussions and speakers from OE and aftermarket companies
participating in these “connected” environments – so that the automotive
service network is equipped to take advantage of these new technologies to
provide the services customers expect.

Keynote Speaker
Monday 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Integrating Digital and Social Media
into your Mix
Suse Barnes – President and Digital
Marketing Consultant – Susby Internet Solutions

OEM Panel – Question and Answer Session
with the Automakers
Tuesday 9-10:30 a.m.
Panelists: Bob Stewart, Aftermarket
Service Support and Brand Protection, GM; Wes Arnold, Assistant Manager,
Special Tools/Tool and Equipment Program, Honda; Tom Wall, Technical
Information and Diagnostics Manager, Toyota; Jim VonEhr, Manager, Technical Information
and Serviceability, Nissan; Nathan Knight, Regulatory Affairs Engineer,
Porsche; Kurt Immekus, Service Publications Regulatory Specialist, Volkswagen;
Dennis Blough, Director Marine and Auto Service – Division Head, Suzuki

Shop Owner/Technician Perspective Panel
Tuesday 10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Panelists: Richard Kahn, Owner, Earth In
Upheaval; Harry Dhaliwal, Owner, Drive Rite Automotive; Scott Andrews, Owner,
Pacific Rim Automotive; Ray Paoletti, Owner, Personalized Auto Care; Jason
Smith, Technician, Dana Point Auto Service; Aaron Christaldi, Technician,
Paul’s Japanese Auto Repair

Connected Vehicle Session – Data and
Information Access
Wednesday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Vehicle Data Ownership
Presenters: Stephen Finnegan – Manager, Government
and Community Affairs, Automobile Club of Southern California; Greg Brannon-
Director, Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations – AAA National Office

Safe and Secure Access to Vehicle Data
(The Vehicle Station Gateway)
Presenter: Greg Potter – Global Director
– Business Development and Product Management – DG Technologies

Access to Vehicle Manufacturer Training
Materials
Presenters: Mark Warren – Trainer – WORLDPAC
Technical Training Program; Rob Morrell – Director – WORLDPAC Training
Institute

Question and Answer Session on
Technology Integration and National Accounts
Thursday 9-10:30 a.m.
Panelists: George Hoffman, Manager Automotive
Assets, Sears Automotive; Martin Corbett, Director, Property Management
Purchasing and Service Equipment, Pep Boys

Panel Discussion on Collision Service
Procedures
Thursday 10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Panelists: Kelly Logan, Project Manager–Body
Repair Program, Tesla Motors; Dan Risley, President, ASA; Steve Marks, Industry
Technical Support Manager, I-CAR

For more information on the speakers and subjects that
will be presented at ToolTech 2014, click here.

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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