ASA Podcast

Episode 97 – The Future of the Automotive Workforce In this episode, we talk with Kim Hickey, Client Fulfillment Director, Coach and Trainer at the Automotive Training Institute. Kim moderated the panel on the Future of the Automotive Workforce and raised some of the thorniest issues we face as an industry in attracting, developing and keeping the technical talent we all need now and for the futur...

Episode 96 – Virtual Interactive Diagnostic Challenge Combines Fun and Learning In many ways, the recent ASA X50 Conference & Expo provided the opportunity to try some new things. One great example of this was the Interactive Diagnostic Challenge presented by Brin Kline and Rich Falco, with the support of CTI, WTI, and Training by Techs. At the heart of all associations is the need to provide...

Episode 95 – Gary Smith on the Need for PWM Training Keeping up with automotive technology requires ongoing training. That’s particularly true when it comes to learning more about Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). Gary Smith of DiagNation knows that better than most, but these days it’s as much about radio frequencies as it is basic electricity. The type of things we need to know about range from basi...

Episode 94 – ASA Welcomes Mark Mills Back as the Advance Auto Parts Sponsored Benefit Provider Representative Change is a constant in the automotive service industry, with roles and responsibilities shifting on a regular basis. In this episode, we welcome back Mark Mills as the representative for Advance Auto parts, one of the Sponsored Benefit Providers providing support, training and benefits to...

Episode 93 – The ASA X50 Conference Offers Outstanding Value! The ASA X50 Conference & Expo is a new virtual training and trade show event with a twist. With 50 of the top trainers in the industry, a convention-center feel, and opportunities for networking, one-on-one vendor meetings, and much more, it’s a two-day event that delivers a truckload of value! In this episode, we talk with Ray Fish...

Episode 92 – The ASA X50 Conference Offers Something for Everyone in the Shop! The ASA X50 Conference & Expo is a new virtual training and trade show event with a twist. With 50 of the top trainers in the industry, a convention-center feel, and opportunities for networking, one-on-one vendor meetings, and much more, it’s a two-day event that delivers a truckload of value! In this episode, we t...

Episode 91 – The ASA X50 Conference Offers Insights into OEM Technology The ASA X50 Conference & Expo is a new virtual training and trade show event with a twist. With 50 of the top trainers in the industry, a convention-center feel, and opportunities for networking, one-on-one vendor meetings, and much more, it’s a two-day event that delivers a truckload of value! In this episode, we talk wit...

Episode 90 – The ASA X50 Conference & Expo Offers Top Trainers! The ASA X50 Conference is a new virtual training and trade show event with a twist. With 50 of the top trainers in the industry, a convention-center feel, and opportunities for networking, one-on-one vendor meetings, and much more, it’s a two-day event that delivers a truckload of value! In this episode, we talk with Kim Walker, R...

Episode 89 – The X50 Conference Offers a New Virtual Experience! The X50 Conference is a new virtual training and trade show event with a twist. With 50 of the top trainers in the industry, a convention-center feel, and opportunities for networking, one-on-one vendor meetings, and much more, it’s a two-day event that delivers a truckload of value! Listen in as we begin a four-part series spotlight...

Episode 88 – TechForce Foundation – Promoting “New Collar” Automotive Careers Jennifer Maher is the CEO of the TechForce Foundation, a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization with the mission to champion students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. Their vision is to harness the collective resources of the transportation industry to develop tomorrow’s workforce...

Episode 87 – Advanced Vehicles Require Advanced Repair Procedures Today’s vehicles are marvels of modern technology. From computer-controlled engine management to Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS), even the most average car or light truck is a rolling computer network. Making sure all of these systems are working properly after a collision requires advanced equipment and highly-trained technic...

Episode 86 – From Customer to General Manager Dan Levin discovered his passion in an unusual way-by accident. After traveling in Europe and college, he moved to Boulder, Colorado where he ran a rental car operation and became a customer of Pellman’s Automotive Service. One of those repairs resulted in finding his career path as an ASE Certified technician who worked his way up to become General Ma...

Episode 85 – Building a Future and Making a Difference John Glosek grew up in Pennsylvania loving golf and muscle cars. He built his first engine at 16 and worked in a machine shop, honing his automotive skills in high school. After earning degrees in business management and automotive technology, he followed his passion and now works for Steve Horvath as the Service Manager at Jeno’s Auto Service...

Episode 84 – Great Ideas for Finding and Developing the Next Generation of Technicians Dave Hinz is the owner of Mastertek Auto Repair in Algonquin, IL. Like many in the automotive service industry, his interest in fixing what’s broken started early. He founded Mastertek in 2002 and never looked back. The opportunities for growth are there for those who recognize them, and Dave’s philosophy of tre...

Episode 83 – Building on Your Passion and Giving Back Brian Smith is the owner of Gig Harbor Automotive Service in Washington State. He started in the business when he was 16 years old, working in a gas station for what would become his future father and mother-in-law. His journey to own his own repair shop will be familiar to many ASA members who represent the baby boomer segment of our industry....

Episode 82 – Growing Up in the Business and Preparing for the Future Jake McLaughlin is another one of our next-generation of business leaders in the automotive service industry. In this episode, Jake talks about how his dad, Randy, started as a mobile technician before founding the family business, National Automotive Repair in North Phoenix in 1997. He joined the National Automotive team ten yea...

Episode 81 – Bringing our industry UP! We’re in this together—let’s learn from one another. Phil Carpenter is a young man with a lot of responsibility as the Director of Operations for Urban AutoCare and Avalon Automotive. He’s also the President of the ASA Colorado Mechanical Division and has a keen interest in local legislative and community issues. Urban and Avalon Owner Brian Sump  has a lot o...

Episode 80 – Running a shop while running for Mayor Mike Charewicz is the owner of Accurate Auto Clinic in Des Plaines, IL, and when it comes to getting involved in politics, he’s literally all-in. ASA members are no strangers to political activism, and in this episode, Mike talks about his candidacy for Mayor of Des Plaines and how running a repair shop has prepared him for the job. Listen in as...

Episode 79 – Tanks, Trucks & Technicians: Dwayne Myers talks about the keys to our future. Dwayne Myers is the President & CEO of Dynamic Automotive, a multi-shop automotive repair business in Maryland. He’s an Army veteran, Master Technician and believes strongly in taking care of his team. “Helping employees accomplish their goals is the key to the future,” he says. With weekly leadershi...

Episode 78: Is Virtual Training Here to Stay? Ryan Kooiman, Director of Training for Standard Motor Products, delivers a lot of technical training to the aftermarket. In this episode, Ryan talks about how COVID has changed where and how that training will be delivered as we emerge from the pandemic. Hear all about how Ryan got into training and how Standard Motor Products supports the independent...

Episode 77: Mike Anderson talks about the 2021 Collision Repair Market and how the pandemic is giving collision repair shops a glimpse into the future. Mike Anderson is the President and Founder of Collision Advice. Mike’s experience as a former shop owner, mentor, coach, consultant and one of the most popular trainers in the collision repair industry gives him a unique perspective on where the co...

Episode 76 - Fighting for Independent Repair Shops in Washington, D.C. Bob Redding, ASA Washington Representative, is fighting for the independent service industry. In this podcast, Bob wraps up the year and talks about the important issues and legislation that will impact everyone working in automotive service and collision repair shops across the nation. Hear all about it as he discusses the cur...

Episode 75 - Clark Plucinski on his work with the Collision Repair Education Foundation. Clark Plucinski has been a well-known name in the collision repair industry for over 45 years. He's been a multi-shop owner, served on the I-CAR Board and spent the last four years as the Executive Director of the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). Clark recently announced his retirement, and s...

Episode 74 – Bobby Bassett on Retirement and his Training Career  Bobby Bassett is a name many technicians and shop owners will recognize. He’s been one of the most well-known trainers in the industry during his time as National Training Manager for North America for Gates, and was most recently honored with the AWDA Excellence in Education Award. He’s also recently retired, so we thought it would...

Episode 73 – New PAVE Event Spotlights Virtual Training and Industry Cooperation The inability to offer live training events during the pandemic has impacted every sector of the automotive service and repair industry. But, as with challenges past, the resilience of the aftermarket has shown itself once again with the debut of the PAVE Virtual Training. Scheduled for January 8-10, 2021, the Profess...