ASA Podcast

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 differentl...

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 technolo...

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...

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...

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 lin...

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...

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 techni...

Episode 15 – ASA Chairman Shares What’s Next for 2020 ASA Chairman Bob Wills has seen a lot of changes to the association in 2019. Listen in as Bob talks about his first year as Chairman and shares his thoughts on where the Automotive Service Association has been and where it’s going. From autonomous vehicles, advanced driver assist systems and how data access and cyber security can impact ASA mem...

Episode 14 - Colton James is a country music star with a mission. Listen as Colton talks about his support for the military and an ambitious plan to build lodges across the country to allow disabled vets to enjoy the great outdoors. In this exclusive interview at Daytona during the ASA-FL Foundations training event, Colton talks about his start in the country music business, the people who helped...

Episode 13 – The Evolution of OEM Certification Mark Allen, Collision and Equipment Manager for Audi of America was a panelist at the 2019 ASA MSO Symposium in Las Vegas. We caught up with Mark afterward for an in-depth discussion on what Audi is doing in their OEM Certification program for collision shops. Listen in as Mark talks about where the Audi program is and where it’s going, along with an...

Episode 12 – ASA-CO Summit The ASA Colorado Summit is one of the largest regional training events available. In this episode, we talk with Bryan Gossel, ASA-Colorado Chairman, about the 2020 Summit and how they are building on the success of 2019. Listen in as Bryan covers the many learning opportunities available for shop owners and technicians to keep up with the changes and grow their knowledge...

Episode 11 – Cash for Clunkers 2.0 Lawmakers may soon be talking about a new Cash for Clunkers program being discussed in Washington, D.C. Listen in as Bob Redding, ASA’s Washington Representative discusses the genesis of an updated old idea and the potential impact on the automotive service community. It’s been tried before and fell short of its goal, but at least one lawmaker thinks it’s time fo...

Episode 10 - jtech Part 2 – The Teachers View Danielle Wampler and Marcus Jenkins are helping to shape the future. Listen in as we discuss the many challenges and opportunities they face as teachers and counselors to those who come to jtech seeking a new career. Dani and Marcus offer their unique perspectives on technical education, including: ·       Why they chose to pursue an educational career...

Episode 009 – The Future of Mobility Neal Watterson, Global Head of Guest Products and General Manager of Uber for Business was a featured speaker at the ASA MSO Symposium in Las Vegas. Listen as Neal discusses the future of Mobility, Uber and the Automotive Industry. From a focus on safety, to the new paradigm that says “yes, it’s ok to get into vehicles with strangers” he paints a picture of a f...

Episode 8 – ADAS @ AAPEX Chandler, AZ shop owner Frank Leutz is one busy guy. Aside from helming Desert Car Care, he hosts the Wrench Nation radio show, serves on the ASA Mechanical Operations Committee and is a regular expert on his local TV station. Frank is all about technology, so when the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association was looking for a panelist for their Advanced Driver Assist...

Everyone talks about the technician shortage, it’s time we talked to the technicians. Specifically, the next generation of technicians training now in Career and Technology Education (CTE) programs across the nation. In this episode, the ASA Podcast talks to 10 aspiring automotive professionals attending jtech Institute in Jacksonville, Florida. This mix of young men and women offer their thoughts...

Jennifer Maher and the TechForce team have a big mission in helping the automotive industry find the technical talent needed now and for the future. One of those ways is to recognize those already working in repair shops across the nation. The new Techs Rock Awards is open to nominations through November 21, 2019 at 5 pm EST. This podcast fills you in on the latest news from TechForce and a new al...

Darrell Amberson and Roy Schnepper offer their thoughts and comments on the 2019 ASA MSO Symposium held November 4th at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Roy owns Butler’s Collision, an independent collision repair shop and Darrell is President of Operations at LaMettry’s Collision Centers, a multi-shop operation (MSO). Both are past chairmen of ASA. Listen in as Roy and Darrell review the highlights...

Episode 04 – Taking the Hill Bob Redding, ASA’s Washington Representative offers a look ahead at what’s happening on the legislative front that affects ASA members and the automotive service industry. Tune in for an insider look at what’s happening on Capitol Hill, in the Administration and at the state level as he discusses some of the hottest topics for 2020. ·       What’s the latest info on da...

Maryann Croce, owner of Croce’s Transmission Specialists in Norwalk, CT, shares her thoughts on why you should stop worrying about the technician shortage and do something about it! Mentoring is one answer, she says, and it’s a solution that offers many benefits. Listen to how one shop owner is finding the talent she needs to succeed! ·       The tech shortage is real and was created over generati...

Jeff Buckley owns My Father's Shop in Midlothian, TX and has a few ideas on how shops can market on a limited budget. Listen in as Jeff explains how he uses "Guerrilla Marketing" techniques and social media to get the word out without breaking the bank.

Frank Leutz, owner of Desert Car Care in Phoenix, AZ and Jeff Buckley, owner of My Father’s Shop in Midlothian, TX share their experience in producing podcasts and other social media shows to get more involved in their communities and the industry. Tune in for tips on how your business can grow using the latest technology. ·       Growing your social media marketing strategy ·       What it takes...