The Board of Directors of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) announced several staff changes within the organization. The board has named current COO/CFO Tim Zilke to succeed Ron Weiner, ASE’s president and CEO for 25 years, effective Jan. 1, 2008. Zilke is a 15-year veteran of ASE.
“This transition period will ensure that the company has a smooth transfer of leadership, and Ron will continue in a consulting role for a time beyond 2008,” said ASE Board of Directors Chairman Stan Elmore.
Other changes within the organization include the promotion of Trish Serratore to senior vice president and the extension of Bill Kersten’s tenure as president of the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). Originally set to retire in 2008, Kersten has agreed to remain in his position to continue the work he began in 2005.
The heat is being turned up for installers and counterpersons with the launch of Raybestos brand brake products Spring Sizzle Promotion.
Now through July 31, with the purchase of each Raybestos brand brake products promotional kit, installers will receive a Raybestos toolbox, BBQ grill, a free goods certificate and a sweepstakes entry form.
The Spring Sizzle Sweepstakes entry form gives installers the chance to win: a grand prize of a Snap-on Classic Series 19-drawer triple bank roll cabinet and a complete Snap-on tool set; a second prize of a Snap-on Classic Series 19-drawer triple bank roll cabinet; and a third prize of a Raybestos neon sign.
The free goods redemption is valid through Sept. 30, 2007. Sweepstake winners will be drawn in early September.
Federal-Mogul Marks Champion Brand’s 100th Anniversary With ‘Always a Champion’ Celebration
Federal-Mogul Corporation’s Champion spark plug brand remains one of the automotive industry’s most dynamic and innovative brands — even at 100 years of age — through the global “Always a Champion” centennial celebration.
Established in 1907, the Champion brand of spark plugs is celebrating its “performance-driven” heritage by looking forward to the next generation of innovative products. The brand’s iconic red-and-black “bowtie” logo will gain unprecedented exposure through a comprehensive centennial marketing campaign.
“Champion has a rich heritage of innovation, quality and race-winning performance, yet it has always maintained a clear focus on developing breakthrough technology and powering the next racing championship. That’s why we’re celebrating the Champion brand’s 100th anniversary by setting the stage for a new century of innovation on behalf of racing teams, professional technicians and DIYers,” said Garth Cole, director of marketing, Aftermarket, Federal-Mogul.
A central component of the global celebration is an exclusive commitment to talented young drivers who represent the next generation of champions in NASCAR Nextel Cup, NASCAR Busch Series, Formula 1, World Rally, Moto GP and other leading professional motorsports series. For more information, contact your Champion supplier, or visit www.AlwaysAChampion.com. In other Federal-Mogul news, Ramzi Hermiz was appointed senior vice president, worldwide Aftermarket Products and Services (APS). Jay Burkhart was named senior vice president, Global Aftermarket. He will serve as a strategy board member, corporate officer and will report to Hermiz.
The company also announces the retirement of Joseph Felicelli, former executive vice president, APS.
Bendix Brand Training Classes Focus On BRAKE Electronics, ABS and More
To help technicians who buy and sell Bendix-branded brake products better understand today’s complex braking systems, the Bendix team has several training classes available. These courses cover hydraulic braking, light truck and SUV ABS systems, Delphi VI ABS and traction control systems, import brakes, braking electronics and more. For more information on Bendix training classes, technicians and shop owners should contact their local Bendix supplier.
JASPER Rolling Showcase Hits the Road For 65th Anniversary Celebrations
In conjunction with its 65-year anniversary, JASPER Engines and Transmissions is holding celebrations at its 36 (and soon to be 38) branch locations across the country. The events literally reach the compass point extremes of the continental U.S.
As part of these 65th anniversary celebrations, JASPER has designed a mobile marketing trailer, christened the “JASPER Rolling Showcase.” The Showcase consists of a 28’ stacker trailer pulled by an 18’ tandem axle box truck. The trailer houses the JASPER-powered NASCAR NEXTEL Cup show car and a JASPER-powered V8-theme painted trike along with NASCAR racing simulator games. Rob Dodd, the operator of the JASPER Rolling Showcase, will see that visitors receive a souvenir Kodak digital print of themselves in front of the trike or car. The Showcase is headed for the following cities in July: Memphis, TN; Batavia, NY; and Fairfield, NJ.
Thomson Delmar Learning, ASE Honor Tech of the Year
Technician Steve Driza, Jr. was recently honored at an awards banquet sponsored by ASE for his performance on the fall 2005 and spring 2006 ASE exams. His results qualified him not only for the status of ASE-certified Technician, but he also received the highest composite score on these tests out of 350,000 other test-takers, earning him the Thomson Delmar Learning/ASE Master Automotive Technician of the Year award. In addition to a plaque and monetary award, Driza received an all-expenses paid trip to San Antonio for him and his wife.
WyoTech Awards TransTec for Contributions and PROGRAM Assistance
WyoTech presented TransTec with an award in appreciation for contributions and assistance with its education program. The award was presented by Mark Millen, president of WyoTech’s Freemont, CA, campus to John Wozniak, manager of product development, and John Galloway, TransTec national sales manager, for Freudenberg-NOK, the company that supplies TransTec brand transmission kits and components.
Earn ‘Sizzling’ Rewards From Tenneco With Ride Control & Exhaust Sales
The summer is getting even hotter with the launch of Tenneco’s Expert Plus “Summer Sizzler!” promotions. Automotive service shops installing Tenneco’s ride control and exhaust brands, including Monroe shocks and struts, Walker exhaust and DynoMax performance exhaust, can earn fun premiums through June 30, 2007.
The Monroe “Summer Sizzler!” promotion rewards members for selling qualifying Monroe Reflex or Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks and struts, Monroe Quick-Struts or Monroe Gas-Magnum shocks. The Walker/DynoMax “Summer Sizzler!” program awards premiums to members for selling qualifying Walker Quiet-Flow muffler systems, Walker SoundFX muffler systems and DynoMax cat-back systems.
