| What You Need to Know
To Elevate and Unite Automotive Professionals, and Give Them Voice
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Like ASCCA on Our New Facebook Page
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Please visit us on our new Facebook page. We look forward to your comments and shared experiences. We will be posting information, links and events as a way to continue supporting our community and advancing our industry. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to "Like" us as well! We look forward to hearing from you soon! |
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AAIA Meets with NHTSA on Counterfeit Airbag Issue
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Courtesy of AAIA News
The AAIA Government Affairs team recently met with several National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) officials to discuss the counterfeit airbag safety advisory that was issued by NHTSA on Oct. 10. The advisory warns drivers that unsafe airbags had been labeled and sold as legitimate original equipment manufacturer (OEM) air bags, but in fact may cause serious safety hazards by being inoperable or worse.
AAIA agrees that inoperable, counterfeit air bags can pose a safety threat and should be removed from the marketplace. However, the advisory issued by NHTSA unfairly cast the independent repair industry in a negative light, leading consumers to believe that non-dealer facilities were more likely to act inappropriately than a new car dealer in the replacement of airbag. AAIA told NHTSA in an Oct. 24 letter that the advisory ignored the fact that the vast majority of independent shops provide proper repairs using high quality replacement components.
The AAIA Government Affairs team met with seven individuals from various departments in NHTSA that are handling the on-going safety issue and are involved in the investigations into the counterfeit airbag retailers. All parties agreed that in the future, the agency should consult with aftermarket groups prior to future releases on safety related issues that might impact the independent repair industry.
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Small Business/Self-Employed Now Entitled to IRS "Fast-Track" Settlement of Appeals
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Courtesy of AAIA News
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has approved the permanent access of "fast-track" settlement of appeals, to those businesses that fall under the category of Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE). The process begins with both sides agreeing to mediation by the IRS Appeals division, which allows for a possible settlement offer to both.
Following the success of the "fast-track" program for the Large Business and International segment, the IRS initially implemented a pilot program for SB/SE, but then decided that they would extend it to the entire SB/SE segment, with the hope that more of them will utilize the process.
The news was delivered by Chris Wagner, IRS Chief of Appeals, at the 71st New York University Institute on Federal Taxation, during a Tax Controversy and Tax Litigation roundtable held on Nov. 11. Wagner also discussed the IRS Rapid Response Appeals Process, which has the goal of resolving disputes with taxpayers in one session. More information on the "Fast-Track" process can be found here.
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Longtime ASCCA Member, Roy Okimoto Passes Away
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Longtime ASCCA member, Roy Okimoto of Okimoto Automotive Center in Norwalk, passed away November 19, 2012 at the age of 84. Mr. Okimoto had been an ASCCA member since 1958.
With a lifelong passion for the automotive industry, Mr. Okimoto started his automotive career in 1947 when he opened a shop in Lake Wall, Michigan with his brothers. He is survived by his wife Misaki (Miki), Roy Jr., Ronald and wife Bobbie, Russell (Rusty) and Jacqueline, Marcia Rae, Rodney and four grandchildren, Rachel, Steven, Robin and Mark, his brother George Okimoto and wife Alice, sisters Yuki Matsuhiro and Kazi Fujii, sisters-in-law Mitzi Okimoto and Ruby Okimoto as well as a host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
Please click here for Mr. Okimoto's full obituary.
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Get Your ASCCA
The Sign You Can Trust! Sign and WIN!!
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The ASCCA Public Relations slogan is designed with the purpose of ensuring that the ASCCA sign is synonymous with quality automotive shops. The slogan, The Sign You Can Trust! is directed at your potential and existing customers.
This exciting new campaign started by incorporating our new slogan The Sign You Can Trust! with our existing logo, creating public awareness that will translate into consumers looking for shops displaying the ASCCA sign. The goal of our campaign is to increase your business with new customers and help you retain existing clients.
Participation in The Sign You Can Trust! campaign will strengthen the public's awareness that ASCCA shops are the shops they can trust to meet their automotive needs.
NOW you can participate in the campaign AND win great prizes at the same time! For a limited time, members displaying the new sign along with their existing sign can be entered into a drawing to WIN! All you have to do is 1) purchase The Sign You Can Trust! sign for $20; 2) attach it to your shop with your ASCCA sign; and 3) take a photo and submit it to staff at calvidrez@amgroup.us. Each photo will be entered into a drawing for the chance to win one of our great prizes, which include:
- Beautiful limited addition print by wildlife artist Sandra Jordan
- Three cases of synthetic motor oil from Kendall Oil
- $100 gift card
- Made to order ASCCA jacket from G & K Services, Inc.
In addition, the Chapter with the highest percentage of photos sent in from individuals will win (1) free admission to the 2013 ASCCA Summer Education Conference and 2 nights hotel accommodations!
To submit photos for entry into the lottery, please send your photo to ASCCA staff at calvidrez@amgroup.us - please include your name, shop name, city, and Chapter number.
For more information on getting the ASCCA logo with the new slogan and for purchasing an adjunct sign, contact ASCCA staff at (800) 810-4272 or email Heather Vigil at hvigil@amgroup.us.
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November Member of the Month Dave Kemnitz
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Dave Kemnitz, D & H Enterprises, Concord, CA
In his own words:
At the age of 15 I worked for a guy who owned a race car. I became part of his pit crew and we ran it every Saturday night. It was during that period of time that I became hooked and subsequently enrolled in all of the auto shop classes in high school! I am sure that you have heard that my wife Mary likes fast cars and she was part of the same group that hung out at the speedway and ran powder puff. It wasn't long until I caught her eye and the rest is history.
I feel Like ASCCA brought us out of a cave, we knew how to fix cars, we had a good business plan, but building all of these ASCCA relationships is priceless, not to mention all of the discounted endorsed vendors that we have access to! ASCCA opened many doors and brought us to the next level of success.
After spending time in the Navy I enrolled in the College of Alameda's automotive program and after completion went to work at a local dealership. I moved around a bit & was never really happy with the dealer's ethics and lack of customer service. I figured there had to be a better way and in November of 1995, I opened my own business in the back of a Tow Truck Company. Fortunately Mary was employed in the Health Care field and had a healthy income or we would have starved to death the first few years. As my business expanded, Mary and I looked to relocate and found the Monument location. Mary had been steadily showing more interest in the business and growing weary of the medical field and decided to join me. Our son Derrick was also looking to settle into a career and came on board as well. Mary settled into writing service, marketing and personnel management, Derrick went to night classes at Tech Help, studied under Doug Mueller and soon became a Master Technician. Derrick's wife joined us as well, writing service. In a nutshell, with the help of my family, I managed to achieve my dream of owning my own shop.
We have worked long hours and very hard days for many years. We seldom left the shop and would not even consider getting to know or even fraternizing with any of the local auto shops. I guess we did not want to share any of our secrets of success! We were invited to a meeting by a shop next door and reluctantly decided to go. We met ASCCA Members Allen Pennebaker of Orinda Motors and Andy Hagen of Hagen's Automotive. They welcomed us with open arms and were eager to share business experiences, plus Mary got really excited about ASCCA Mt. Diablo Chapter 20's discussions that night about building relationships and helping the less fortunate. She had been looking for an area to volunteer in. Some advice I would offer to any new members out there or members looking to get more involved are to attend the meetings and get to know your fellow members. Once you get comfortable in your Chapter, get involved in leadership. Give back to the Industry that supports you! ASCCA members like Dave are shining examples of how One Member CAN Make a Difference! |
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Calendar of Events
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Team Weekend
December 8-9, 2012
Embassy Suites, Sacramento Click here for Registration Hotel Reservation
Room Rate: $149
Reservation deadline: Nov 16 2013 Industry Summit Saturday, February 9, 2013 8:00 am - 11:00 am Fairmont Newport Beach Agenda and meeting registration information will be available soon. |
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Nominate an ASCCA Member for Member of the Month! | |
The ASCCA Member of the Month is a new program developed by ASCCA leadership to recognize our members who go above and beyond to support our core purpose: To Elevate and Unite Automotive Professionals and Give Them Voice.
Each Member of the Month will receive a certificate and a $50 Visa gift card. Additionally, the member will be recognized on the ASCCA website homepage for one month, announced on Team Talk, featured in the WYNTK and in the California Independent.
YOU can nominate a Member of the Month by sending your recommendation to Heather Vigil at hvigil@amgroup.us. All nominations should include a summary of why your nominee should be considered for ASCCA's Member of the Month.
When making a recommendation, please use the following criteria:
- Faithfully adheres to ASCCA code of ethics
- Active proponent of ASCCA (both State and Chapter); talks up ASCCA to non-members
- Actively helps oter shops succeed (both member and non-member shops)
- Utilizes member benefits (ASCCA Advantage) and mentors new members utilizing benefits
- Active in local Chapter (where applicable) and state events
- Adds his/her voice to legislative issues; contacting representatives on key issues
- Pays dues on time
- Participates in/monitors Team Talk
Each nomination will be carefully reviewed and considered by the ASCCA Membership Committee. The pool of Members of the Month winners will be voted on by the Chapter Representatives Committee for Member of the Year to be honored at ASCCA's Summer Conference, June 21-23, 2013 at the Hilton Irvine Orange County.
For more information on the Member of the Month program, please contact Heather Vigil at hvigil@amgroup.us.
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| Special Thank You to ASCCA's Diamond Sponsors! | 
www.iatn.net
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One Capitol Mall, Suite 320
Sacramento, CA 95814
(800) 810-4272
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