Automotive Service Councils of California

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

February 7, 2014

You Can Still Make it to the 2014 Automotive Aftermarket Industry Summit!

Sponsored by ASCCA, CAWA, AAIA, CAT, and CalABC

Saturday, February 8

Come by just for the day if that's all you can manage!

Team Weekend

February 8-9

Embassy Suites Sacramento Promenade

100 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814

P: 1-916-326-5000 * F: 1-916-236-5001

Team Weekend Agenda

Click here to register online, or register on-site.

If you need a hotel room, call Lauren Stoddard, Meeting Manager for ASCCA, at 916-444-3568, x105. The host hotel is sold out, but she can help you find a room at another hotel.

Mark Your Calendars! ASCCA/CAA Legislative Fly-in on April 30

California Autobody Association (CAA) is partnering with ASCCA for the 2014 Legislative Fly-In! Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with others in the industy. Fill out this registration form and book your airfare. We're taking care of the rest - transportation from the airport, food, and the scheduling of legislative appointments. Please don't delay, space is limited! Reservations will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Past speakers have included: Chief, Bureau of Automotive Repair; Governor's Small Business Advocate, Governor's Economic Adviser; Chair, Select Committee on Career Technical Education & Workforce Development; Author AB2289 (Smog Check), Chair Senate Transportation & Housing Committee.

Registration Form here

Recent Cars4Careers Donations

Thank you to the following donation centers:

Beyond Repair, Bill Watterson
Gene's Auto Repair, Tracy Renee
German Auto Repair, Jose Lara
Autotron Service Center, Ryan and Jennifer Tunison

for facilitating car donations which together brought $5,275 to the ASC Educational Foundation's Cars4Careers.

It's easy to become a donation center. Simply fill out this form, then print, complete and submit the donation center form to the ASCEF office. Also, learn more at ASCEF's home page.

BUILDING CAREERS ONE CAR AT A TIME

Ratchet & Wrench News Briefs

from R & W Insider

AAIA Releases New Web Service Standard

Improvements have been made to the shipment and confirmation documents, as well as the addition of an invoice document, that will create near-real-time automation of all orders. Read More

Mudlick Mail Posts 25% Increase in 2013 Sales

Mudlick Mail announced Thursday that its sales have increased for the fifth straight year. The direct mail provider posted an increase of 25 percent in revenue in 2013, and upped its total clientele to roughly 1,100, a 40 percent increase. Read More

U.S. House Committee Looks into Insurance Regulation

Members of Congress recently held a hearing to examine the findings of a report on insurance regulation that was released in December. Read More

Renault-Nissan Alliance Posts Record Sales in 2013

Renault-Nissan Alliance announced Friday that it had record sales in 2013. It sold a total of 8.26 million vehicles, with sales high in both China and the US. Read More

Create Effective Signage

The first step to effective signage is to make sure your signage coincides with your company image. It should include your name, logo, color scheme and slogan to illustrate who you are. Read More

In This Issue

Legislative Fly-in on April 30

Recent Cars4Careers Donations

Ratchet & Wrench News Briefs

February Member of the Month Ken Breshears

Top 10 Most Iconic Cars of the Last 25 Years

February Member of the Month: Ken Breshears

ASCCA member Ken Breshears, of Keith's Auto Repair in Redding (ASCCA Chapter 99)

In his own words:

At 10 years of age my first job was detailing cars and working the pump island at my father's Chevron service station during the summer. Later, when he became the AAA towing contractor for Shasta County, I would help the drivers on snow days and help the technicians during the summer. In high school I found employment in a restaurant and became a sous chef by age 18. By age 20 for many reasons I returned to the family business, a high volume Chevron station with a busy back room repair business. I became the manager by the end of that first summer, in 1983. The automotive repair business was changing and I was excited to learn all aspects of the industry, such as customer service, business management, new technologies and much more.

In 1992 my father expanded and opened a general repair and smog check facility, Keith's Auto Repair. I was still running the service station with lube bays and food mart. In 1995 I was sent to run the shop and increase sales. The shop was relocated in 1997 and on May 1, 1999 my wife and I bought Keith's Auto Repair from my father.

In 2001 during a membership drive I was approached to join ASCCA. I had learned it was important to support associations that would look out for my interests and be my VOICE. Chapter 99 did a very good job of providing informational general meetings covering important topics including hazardous waste, Bureau of Auto Repair, workers comp, CC processing, business management, labor laws and much more. I found friendships that have been very beneficial. Those who are not a business owner can never truly relate to the issues that we deal with daily; it has been a great comfort to have a group of businessmen and women who can relate to this ever-changing industry.

In 2011 I was asked to become a board member, and reluctantly I agreed. Toward the end of that year our long-time chapter leader Steve Lustig became ill and I was asked to step in for a few months and organize a meeting or two. Steve was the one that made sure this chapter stayed together, and he is missed. I am presently in my third year as chapter president. I have a strong, stable board and continue to provide informative general meetings for our members.

The advice I would give to new members would be to take full advantage of our resources and members. Spending a little time once a month can help your personal and business life prosper.

Top 10 Most Iconic Cars of the Last 25 Years

from Cars.com

"Aside from Hollywood and the military, there's no industry that creates as many icons as the car business. Whether it's through expressive styling, performance under the hood or some other factor, the auto industry has a knack for taking steel, glass and rubber, and creating cars and trucks that become universally symbolic. It's these iconic cars that offer a window into America's history with the automobile."

Click here to see Cars.com's Top 10

Thank You ASCCA Diamond Sponsors!

About Us

Founded in 1940, the Automotive Service Councils of California is the largest independent automotive repair organization in California. Its members represent all areas of the automotive repair industry, including mechanical, auto body, suppliers and educators.