After a winter fun event at nearby Mount Springs Lodge on Friday, Jan. 25, retreat attendees participated in collision and mechanical roundtables in the afternoon, followed by a dinner and roast honoring Washut for her 16 years of service to the association.

This writer served as master of ceremonies for the roast, which featured 10 speakers who both roasted Washut and praised her for her dedication to the association. Unknown to her until the dinner, more than a dozen of Washut's family members were on hand for the event.

The Saturday morning general business session featured a review of the association by committee members, unit representatives, officers, and staff.

During his regular ASE presentation at the business meeting, Dan Flanagan, 80, officially announced his retirement from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) effective June 30, 2008. A former Seattle shop owner and one of the founding members of Independent Garage Owners Association (later ASC, now ASA-WA), Flanagan has represented ASE in the Northwest for more than two decades, promoting technician training. He introduced Walt Commans of Anaheim, Calif., West Coast rep for ASE who will now cover the Northwest region.

Following the morning business sessions, Ron Pyle, the president of national ASA, offered an overview of ASA and industry affairs during lunch. Pyle was joined at the retreat by four other staff members, including B.J. Johnson, who was recently promoted to vice president of Membership Services. Also on hand was the entire ASA national board, which held its meeting during the retreat.

An afternoon AMI-approved management seminar was presented to a full house.

During the Saturday evening awards banquet, new and retiring officers of ASA and the ASA Ascettes support group were honored for service, and new officers of both groups were presented to the gathering.

 
Newly elected executive officers of ASA-WA are Scott Tveten, Tveten's Auto Clinic in Lakewood, chairman; Brian Johnson, AAM, Motoring Services in Kennewick, chairman-elect; Todd Black of Todd Black's Unlimited Service in Bellingham, treasurer; and newly elected Secretary Brian Smith, AAM, of Ballinger Automotive in Seattle. Along with outgoing Chairman Kelly Wright, AAM, of Preedy Bros. Tire in Spokane, the officers will serve two-year terms.

Other board members of ASA-WA include Joel Baxter, AAM, of Baxter Auto Repair in Bremerton, who serves as affiliate (national) delegate; Luther Taylor of Gig Harbor, retired educator, is the historian and parliamentarian, education committee chair; Mike West of Southtowne Auto Rebuild in Tukwila, collision division chair and government affairs committee chair; Richard Weeks of ICM in Lacey, the allied division chairman; and Wake Barney of All Transmission & Automotive in Tacoma is the mechanical division chairman.

 
Board members were sworn in by Aaron Clements, AAM, national board chairman and shop owner from Augusta, Ga.
 Wright, who served as master of ceremonies for the Saturday evening awards banquet, presented a surprised Black with the Industry Leader of the Year award that each year honors outstanding members of the association.

Black, who joined ASA-WA in 1996, has been active in the Whatcom Unit of ASA-WA, having served as its president, and has been one of the Bellingham area shop owners who have participated in a longtime popular local radio show promoting quality auto repairs and service. Wright said Black has also been an important player on the state level as well and is now in his second term as a state officer.

The retreat wrapped up Sunday morning with a business roundtable hosted by Baxter. Issues pertaining to business operations, legislation, the environment, and other matters were reviewed by shop owners from Washington and Oregon.

ASA-WA will hold its summer retreat on June 26-29 in Ocean Shores, Wash. For details on that event, visit www.asawa.com.