COLORADO
Tomorrow’s Technician and Chicago Pneumatic (CP) have recognized Smokey Hill High School in Aurora as its southwestern region finalist in its School of the Year competition. Students and teachers submitted a 350-300 word essay answering the question, “Why should your school be the School of the Year?” Smoky Hill’s Automotive Technology program was among four schools recognized across the country, with Ohio Technical College in Cleveland earning top honors. In May, Instructor Brian Manley and his students were presented with $5,000 worth of tools and a plaque.
Ross Conway, a graduating senior from Deer Trail High School, is one of 59 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) $1,000 scholarship recipients, said Pete Kornafel, chairman of the GAAS scholarship committee. Conway, the son of Linda and Steve Conway, plans to pursue a four-year degree from Colorado State University of Pueblo’s (CSU-Pueblo) Automotive Industry Management (AIM) program. Conway enters the AIM program with encouragement from his grandfather Dick Larsen, formerly of the Rocky Mountain Wholesalers, and his uncle Eric Larsen, Genuine Parts Co.’s district sales manager for NAPA filtration in Denver. Kornafel said that an additional $15,000 in scholarship funds were raised during GAAS in Chicago on May 6-7 and will be awarded to the other 290 applicants later this year.
One Stop Parts Source, a two-step distributor of undercar aftermarket parts, opened its fourth Colorado location in Loveland this June. “It rounds out our service area,” said Ron Hilton, general manager for One Stop, adding that they can provide consistent hot shot delivery service within an hour of placing an order. One Stop’s other locations are in Denver, Broomfield, and Englewood, in addition to several in California.
Steve Henry, parts manager for Infiniti of Denver, reported that General Manager Chris Smith purchased the dealership in June. Smith has been employed by the dealership since 1995.
The Automotive Service Association of Colorado (ASA-CO) held a safety seminar sponsored by Susan Harwood Grant and hosted by the Colorado Safety Association. The one-day program, aimed at small-business owners, covered management commitment and employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, and safety and health training. For information on future courses, e-mail ASA-CO Executive Director Kari Foster at kfoster@asacolorado.org.
Red Noland Collision Center in Colorado Springs hosted a bumper repair clinic in May for State Farm collision repair facilities. 3M’s Robert Foster and Kevin McInally conducted the training class, while Choice Paint & Supply sponsored the lunch.
NAPA Auto Parts, a sponsor of the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, awarded Billings, Mont., residents Josh and Shawna Canlsen the NAPA Trick Truck award at the 12th Colorado Nationals in Loveland for their 1955 Chevy pickup truck that made its debut at the show after seven years of restoration work. The clean and simple truck design is complimented by a custom blue exterior and beige leather interior. The vehicle is equipped with an exhaust side exit step. The couple earned a $100 gift certificate to spend at the NAPA Tool & Equipment booth on site.
Bruce Cameron sold his five NAPA Auto Parts Stores in the Colorado Springs area back to NAPA in May, reported Will Rogers, sales manager for the NAPA Denver DC.
Addison Auto Repair & Body Shop, a combined independent mechanical and collision repair facility, recently honored Technician Sam Sutton with a luncheon, congratulating him on his graduation from Arapahoe Community College’s (ACC) Automotive Technology program. “Sam was an extremely intelligent student,” said ACC Automotive Technology Department Chair Jerry Viola. “He was great at critically thinking during diagnosis, not only understanding the systems well, but applying creating testing of circuits and components.”
The parts departments at O’Meara Ford in Northglenn and Western Slope Auto in Grand Junction earned Blue Diamond LLC’s annual Top 50 award for their Power Stroke parts sales in 2008. The two dealerships were only handful of dealers recognized nationwide, said Matt Rogers, Blue Diamond’s area sales representative.
The Colorado Association For Recycling (CAFR) held its annual summit in Vail in May. More than 175 of the state’s recycling professionals discussed the latest recycling trends and challenges abroad. For more information, visit www.cafr.org.
NEW MEXICO
The Automotive Service Association of Central New Mexico (ASA-CNM) held two training courses in June. The first was at the Nativo Lodge on June 9 and discussed collision repair market trends. Rosann Kramer of DuPont Performance Services covered collision industry and insurance issues that arose over the last five years, said Jim Maddox, president of ASA-CNM. The sponsors for the event were DuPont and Bond Paint. The second ASA-CNM event was a two-day technical class on GM Engine Performance IV, sponsored by Cross Country Auto Parts. The course covered diagnostic skills surrounding GM engine control systems. For information on future events, e-mail Maddox at jimsauto4@mcleodusa.net or call 505-256-1531.
WYOMING
NAPA jobber Laramie Auto Parts marks its 75th anniversary in 2009. Owner LaVern Hamre had an open house celebration in June, where Genuine Parts Co. personnel attended, as well as factory representatives, and local repair shop owners. Hamre, 74, is still active in the daily operations of the parts store that was founded by Shelly Kaiser in 1934. After 50 years working in the industry, which includes time spent working for GPC in Minnesota and Denver, Hamre said he still enjoys the parts business.
