ASA Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

ASA Legislative Analyst Ben Sharp interviews ASA Chairman Scott Benavidez on latest developments in the industry on the sidelines of MSO Symposium.

In this ASA podcast episode, Scott Benavidez, AMAM, sits down with ASA Legislative Associate Ben Sharp on the sidelines of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) in Indianapolis to discuss ASA’s new policy position statement on compensation for time spend researching OEM repair procedures. Scott is the Chairman of ASA’s Board of Directors and owner of Mr. B’s Paint and Body Shop Inc. in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA), in partnership with the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, presents the 8th annual Technology and Telematics Forum as a monthly podcast series. Listen to the first episode in this series, entitled “A Changing Fleet”, featuring industry experts Wayne Weikel and Bob Redding discussing the future of electric vehicles, the legislative and regulatory status of electric vehicle implementation, and the investments of auto manufacturers and independent repair shops to prepare for an “all-electric” future. 

REGISTER HERE to be alerted about future Technology and Telematics Forum Podcast episodes, and to receive exclusive news about cutting-edge industry technologies, including electric and automated vehicles.  

 Wayne Weikel is the Senior Director of State Affairs at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. In this role, he serves as the primary liaison for Auto Innovators’ interaction with state officials across the Northeast. Wayne is an expert in a diverse portfolio of public policy issues, telematics, consumer privacy, and electric and automated vehicles. 

 Bob Redding is the Washington, D.C. representative for the Automotive Service Association (ASA). For the last 20+ years, Bob has advocated for the rights of independent repairers on both the federal and state levels. 

In this podcast, Bob and Wayne discuss:

 ·         Federal and state electric vehicle legislation, including the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the in-process budget reconciliation package. 

·         The massive investments being made by auto manufacturers in a push towards developing and deploying a national electric fleet.

·         Issues and opportunities in establishing a national network of electric vehicle charging stations.

·         What independent repair shop owners and other industry members can do to prepare for a changing fleet. 

Episode 22 – Lifelong Learning – The Millennial Way

Mario Rojas is an ASE-Certified Master Technician with L1 at Pete’s Complete Auto Service in Miami, Florida. He’s also a millennial on a mission: to share his knowledge every chance he gets. We caught up with Mario at the ASA-Florida Foundations event and had a short but enlightening conversation about how our younger technicians think differently about training and lifelong learning. Listen in as we discuss:

·       The value of having an employer that supports ongoing training for their technicians

·       How far some technicians and employers will go to find great training

·       Using YouTube to share knowledge and help others

·       How millennials think and learn differently

·       How much annual technical training is enough?

Episode 21 – How Telematics Impacts Collision Repair 

Jason Verlen is the Senior Vice President of Product Management and Marketing Products & Technology at CCC Information Systems. In this episode, he talks about the impact of Telematics on the collision repair process and the implications this technology presents for insurers. Listen in as Jason provides a look ahead at:

·       How technology is redefining the consumer experience

·       New efficiencies being driven by Telematics technologies

·       How technology is influencing the collision claims and estimating process

·       How Telematics is growing within the vehicle fleet in the U.S.

·       Where we are and what’s to come in the use of Telematic networks

Episode 20 – ASE Launches Spanish-Language Testing and More!

Trish Serratore is the Senior Vice President of Communications at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). In this episode, she talks about the latest developments with the ASE Certification tests and what the organization has been up to lately. It’s an information-packed podcast that will bring you up to speed on the most recognized professional credential for technicians in our industry! Listen in to hear about:

·       The new Spanish/English ASE Certification exams and how they work

·       The new ASE Renewal App that allows you to recertify with your smartphone

·       Info on the workshop to develop a new ADAS Certification exam for technicians

·       The latest information on updates to the existing ASE Certification exams

·       The Annual ASE Awards recognizing certified professionals nationwide

·       Where you can get more information at the ASE website at www.ase.com

Episode 19 – What’s Next in Collision Repair

Vincent Romans is the founding principle and managing partner of The Romans Group LLC. His four decades of experience as a consultant within the collision repair market provides a unique perspective on the various dynamics which will shape the collision repair market in the years ahead. We caught up with Vincent at the ASA MSO Symposium in Las Vegas and asked him to share his thoughts on what’s next for the industry. Listen in to hear about:

·       The first likely IPO by a major MSO consolidator in 2020

·       The growth of private equity in the collision market

·       Market disruptors and the earthquake effects of secular trends

·       The growth of OE Certification programs, OE Repair Standards and the effect of telematics and artificial intelligence on the collision and insurance industries

·       The “sweet spot” for shop size to maximize productivity and MSO interest

·       Vincent’s projections for continued growth and increasing severity

Episode 18 – Meet Mel Algier – The First Techs Rock Award Winner

Mel Algier is a young woman who demonstrates that you can make a difference at any age! She also represents the future of the automotive service industry. In this episode, we’ll talk with Jennifer Maher, CEO of the TechForce Foundation and America’s Automotive Trust, and the winner of the inaugural Techs Rock Award, Mel Algier, a line technician at Barnsworth Chevrolet in Canandaigua, NY.  Listen in to hear about:

·       How Mel decided on an automotive service career

·       What the new Techs Rock Award is doing to inspire the next generation of automotive technicians

·       The value of mentors to the success of entry-level technicians

·       Nurturing the next generation workforce

·       Mel’s advice for success to new technicians

Episode 17 – Paying it Forward and Looking Ahead

John Greenfield is President of JJ’s Auto Care in Jacksonville, FL and he’s not just worrying about the technician shortage—he’s doing something about it! John was one of a group of ASA members and others who sponsored ten automotive students from jtech Institute to attend the inaugural ASA Florida Foundations training event at Daytona. We caught up with John and Ryan Stafford, his lead technician at Daytona International Speedway and talked about their views on where they see the repair industry going in the years to come. Listen in to hear about:

·       How getting involved with your local Career and Technology Education program can help find the talent you need now and for the future

·       Why continuing education is now mandatory

·       How the industry is evolving and what’s ahead

·       Ryan’s unique reasons for becoming an automotive technician

·       What type of training technicians are looking for

·       How you can help make a difference for the next generation of technicians

Episode 16 – ASA Northwest ATE 2020 Sets the Bar for Training

ASA Northwest incoming chairman Bryan Kelley and Executive Director Jeff Lovell have good reason to be proud and excited about the Automotive Training Expo event scheduled for March 27-29 at the DoubleTree Hotel near SEATAC Airport. Listen in as Bryan and Jeff share the story behind the event, along with the outstanding lineup of technical and management training that is absolutely the Best int the West!

·       Hear about the all-star lineup of trainers available

·       Learn how the technical and management training is carefully selected by shop owners and technicians for shop owners and technicians

·       Abundant networking opportunities to meet and share ideas

·       Special program for Educators and special pricing for ALL asa mEMBERS

·       Find Out about the new ASA-NW Apprenticeship program to develop new talent

·       Register now at atetrainingexpo.com