AOCA Announces Retirement of Executive Director Christie
The Automotive Oil Change Association has announced that its
long time Executive Director, Steve Christie, will retire from
his position at the end of September.
Christie has served as the Executive Director of AOCA for
sixteen years. Under his leadership AOCA has grown into the
leading authority in the convenient automotive services area and
become an international association, with over 3,500 member
locations in the U.S., Canada and countries around the world.
According to the news release, the Board of Directors said it
joins its entire membership in a sincere thanks to Mr. Christie
for his unwavering dedication to AOCA. Through the years he has
always used patience, good humor, and professionalism to keep
the needs of our membership, the association and the industry at
the forefront. AOCA will miss his dedication and wishes him the
best of luck in his next chapter of life.
The AOCA Board has established a Search Committee to review
candidates to fill the position.
Key Massachusetts Committee OK to Right to Repair Bill
Following extensive debate, a Massachusetts legislative
committee has approved legislation (HB 296) that will provide
independent repair shops the same access to diagnostic repair
information and tools that car companies made available to their
franchised dealers.
The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional
Licensure voted to report the landmark legislation out of
committee favorably where it will next appear before the
Committee on Ways and Means. Car manufacturers have lobbied hard
against the legislation that is co-sponsored by state Rep.
Vincent A. Pedone, D-Worcester, and state Sen. Mark C. Montigny,
D-New Bedford, arguing that independent shops already have
access to the information they need. When independent repair
shops met with their local legislators and debunked that claim,
manufacturers then suggested that the independents wanted “trade
secrets” or proprietary information.
“We have been clear from the beginning of this process that what
we want – and what consumers want – is repair and diagnostic
information that many of these manufacturers are selectively
withholding,” said Stan Morin, who manages a repair business and
serves as the lead advocate for passage of the legislation on
behalf of the Massachusetts Alliance of Automotive Service
Providers (AASP). “We don’t want or need their trade secrets or
any information that could even vaguely be described as
proprietary. If they are providing this repair information to
dealers, then it isn’t the secret recipe for Coca-Cola and they
can provide that information to us.”
Vesco Oil Wins Prestigious Environmental Award
Vesco Oil Corporation, a Southfield, Michigan-based distributor
and supplier, received the Environmental Achievement Award for
its used oil filter management program from the Environmental
Management Association (EMA). This top recognition from the
regional organization was awarded recently at its Annual
Environmental Achievement Awards Banquet. EMA Past President
Bill Doetsch presented the award.
EMA maintains an active information exchange between governments
and industry professionals involved with environmental
management to arrive at solutions to environmental issues within
a framework of ethics appropriate to the environmental field.
“We pride ourselves on being a “green” company and are delighted
to be recognized by EMA for our efforts,” explained Don Epstein,
Vesco’s President and CEO. “Our filter-recycling process, which
was adapted for this specific use by Vesco Oil employees, in
particular our Service Manager, Rick Schalk, allows us to very
efficiently and effectively recycle used automotive and other
industrial equipment filters and their excess oil.”
New Version of Car Care Guide Shows How to Save Gas and Drive
Green
New sections on Fuel Economy and Environmental Awareness have
been added to the Car Care Guide to show consumers how to get
better gas mileage and make their vehicle environmentally
friendly. Published by the Car Care Council, the guide is a
popular consumer give-away at repair shops and retail stores.
The Fuel Economy section covers the parts of the car that need
proper maintenance in order to maximize efficiency and save
money at the pump. It recommends typical service intervals and
includes questions to ask the automotive repair technician.
The section on Environmental Awareness explains how motorists
can do their part to protect the environment in terms of driving
habits and vehicle maintenance. This section has tips on Driving
Green and lists the components of a vehicle that should be
routinely checked to make sure a car’s performance is as
environmentally friendly as possible.
“The new sections are designed to help people better understand
that the amount of gas they use is directly related to how they
maintain and drive their vehicle,” said Rich White, executive
director, Car Care Council.
The Car Care Guide uses easy-to-understand everyday language,
instead of technical automotive jargon, and fits easily in a
glove box. The guide covers the most common preventative
maintenance occasions and procedures that need to be performed
to keep cars safe, dependable and efficient. It also includes
descriptions of 12 major vehicle systems and parts, and a list
of questions to ask when maintenance or repair procedures are
being done on a car. A Car Care Checklist reminds motorists what
vehicle systems need to be maintained and when service or repair
should be performed.
Register Now for AAPEX
Registration for the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX)
is open at: www.AAPEXShow.com. Buyers who previously attended
AAPEX can use their Alumni numbers to expedite the registration
process and receive show credentials in the mail prior to AAPEX.
AAPEX will be held Tuesday, Nov. 4 – Thursday, Nov. 6, at the
Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. For Alumni Number
information, contact:
info@AAPEXShow.com.
Colorado Grease Monkey Centers Honored
Grease Monkey was honored by the Colorado State Patrol and the
Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation at a recent reception
for fundraising efforts during the last five years, for the
Alive at 25 (AA25) teen defensive driving educational program.
More than $80,000 has been raised in the form of donations and
in-kind support, by Grease Monkey programs during the five-year
period.
These awards were accepted by Grease Monkey International
Marketing Coordinator Cassandra Madsen, and Grease Monkey
franchisee Ron Morrow. The awards included the 2007 Alive at 25
Sponsorship Award and the 2007 Colonel’s Award for Excellence.
Grease Monkey’s most recent fundraiser was sponsoring the 2007
“Thunder on the Mountain” race at Bandimere Speedway.
Contributions were raised by Grease Monkey International and
Grease Monkey franchisees along with support from many of their
principal vendors, said Lori Schneider, Vice President of Grease
Monkey International.
Rex Utsler, President & CEO of Grease Monkey International says,
“Our franchisees were pleased to get involved and support a
program that helps save the lives of young drivers."
AAIA Elects Jerry O'Pry Chairman of the Board
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) elected
Jerry O'Pry chairman for the AAIA Board of Directors for
2008-2009 at its Spring Leadership Days in Bonita Springs, Fla.
O'Pry is president of Blue Magic, Inc., headquartered in Conroe,
Texas.
O'Pry began his automotive career with Union Carbide Corporation
in 1973, and then joined Turtle Wax in 1983, where he was the
director of sales and national accounts and managed
international business. Six years later, he became vice
president of sales and marketing for ARA Automotive Group. In
1991, O'Pry moved to Blue Coral serving as vice president of
sales, where he was directly involved with the development and
implementation of new programs and products. From 1996 to 1999,
he worked with Radiator Specialty Company as their national
sales manager, where he was responsible for sales and marketing
for the $200mm automotive chemical manufacturer.
Before joining Blue Magic in 2006, O'Pry was director of sales
of the automotive products division of Georgia-Pacific
Corporation. Prior to joining Georgia-Pacific, he served as
executive vice president for Harold Schnair Sales Company.
O'Pry has been active serving as committee chairs with the
Automotive Parts & Accessories Association (APAA) and AAIA. He
has served on the AAIA Board of Directors since 2001 and the
AAIA Executive Committee since 2002. He graduated from Oklahoma
City University in 1973 with a bachelor of arts in business
management and marketing. O'Pry resides with his family in
Irving, Texas.
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