COLORADO
Swis Automotive & Truck Equipment, a distributor of automotive tools and equipment with two locations, in Hawaii and Colorado, has relocated its Denver-area facility from Peoria Street on the northeast side of town south to 6547 S. Racine Circle Unit 900 in Centennial, said Founder Lou Cardoza.
Prestige Imports Collision Center in Lakewood held an Oktoberfest celebration on Oct. 4. The open-house celebration was co-hosted by FinishMaster Automotive & Industrial Paint, a distributor of automotive paint and products, said Jim Frost, Collision Center manager. The event featured the shop's aluminum-repair work area, part of its recent Audi aluminum repair certification. Attendees enjoyed an evening of German food, beverages, and music.
Burt-Kuni Honda held a 2008 Honda Accord Launch Party at its dealership on Oct. 12 at 10750 E. Arapahoe Road in Centennial. The new Accord is packed with safety features that include an Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure.
Chrysler held a Rocky Mountain Fall Preview for local media on Oct. 9 at the Keg Steakhouse in Lakewood. The event featured a ride-and-drive of the 2008 Jeep Liberty, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Chrysler Town & Country.
Morgan Community College vo-tech student Matt Monsees, finished fourth in Automotive Technology at the SkillsUSA national competition held this summer in Kansas City, Mo. Monsees competed in a field of 48 contestants who were tested at 13 stations. Monsees is employed by Fort Morgan Auto Center.
The Automotive Service Association of Colorado (ASA-CO) held a DuPont course, Smart Damage Analysis, on Sept. 18 at its Westminster office. The class, taught by Instructor Mike Anderson, owner of two WagonWork Collision centers in Alexandria, Va., drew 63 attendees--including shop owners, 
managers, estimators, and a DuPont manufacturer's rep--from as far as Basalt, Colo., and Laramie, Wyo., said Chris Johns of FinishMaster Automotive & Industrial Paint. The class had a strong emphasis on customer service, continuous improvement, and standard operating procedures and processes, he said, adding that a review of newly developed classes was also discussed. They are CycleTime Management II and Process Management, courses that were featured at the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) in Las Vegas this fall.
Mercedes-Benz of Colorado Springs, a Phil Long dealership, has hired Lance Michels to serve as its parts manager. Michels returns to the dealership after a brief stint outside the industry. "I'm glad to be back and servicing my customers," Michels said, who has more than 30 years of parts experience in the Colorado Springs area. "We're growing our wholesale business, expanding our inventory, and offering drop-ship parts."
GO Chrysler Jeep West, an AutoNation dealership in Golden, has hired Connie Lacey to serve as its outside parts sales representative, calling on repair shops in the Denver metro area. Lacey said she has been in the automotive industry for more than 13 years, mostly serving as a service adviser and in customer service. In other 
AutoNation news, Claire Cummings has been promoted to business development manager for the parts department at GO Chrysler Jeep West. In her new role, Cummings' responsibilities include parts marketing, promotions, and identifying large wholesale parts opportunities, said Parts Manager Mike Mulkins.
U-Haul announced the promotion of Trey Bryan to president of U-Haul Co. of Southern Colorado. Bryan brings more than five years of U-
Haul experience to his new position, where he will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the company, including truck, trailer, and storage rentals.
Supreme CARSTAR Auto Body of Commerce City, 4 Wheel Parts Performance Center, and 
several of their suppliers have joined forces to beef up a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a good cause. The customized Jeep, emblazoned with a Superman logo on the hood, was customized by crew of volunteers and donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado to fulfill a wish for one of its grantees.
Just Brakes plans to open 28 new locations in the southern United States over the next year, with the expansion including two new stores in Colorado, company officials said.
Big O Tires, together with the Big O Tires Scholarship Fund, has announced that 11 college students were recently awarded scholarships. Two people were awarded $2,500 each, and nine received $1,000 each. Local recipients of the $1,000 awards are: Amy Grimes of Englewood, who attends Arapahoe Community College in Littleton; Meaghan Kormonday of Highlands Ranch, attending the University of San Diego; and Brigette Grimes of Glendale, Ariz., attending Johnson and Wales University in Denver. "The Big O Tires Scholarship Fund receives donations into the fund from Big O Tires LLC, its franchisees, and individuals employed with the company," said Susan Hendee, TBC's general counsel and Big O Tires Scholarship Fund president.
NEW MEXICO
Sandy Blalock, president of Truck & Auto Parts Inc., an auto recycler in Albuquerque, has been appointed the 2007-2008 president of the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA). Blalock was named at ARA's 64th Annual Convention and Exposition held in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 29. She most recently served as the association's first vice president and has been on the ARA Executive Committee since 2005. She is the second woman to serve as president of the ARA. She has served as the New Mexico Automotive Recycling Association president for four years and continues to serve on its board of directors, working primarily on governmental affairs.
Parts Plus of New Mexico, a member of the Automotive Distribution Network (AND), recently purchased J&J Auto Parts of Albuquerque. Parts Plus of New Mexico owns and operates nine stores throughout New Mexico and southern Colorado and services 20 independent jobbers throughout the region.
The Automotive Service Association of Central New Mexico (ASA-CNM) held an advanced diagnostics training class Oct. 10 at the Central New Mexico Community College's automotive labs facility in Albuquerque, said Scott Benavidez, president of ASA-CNM and assistant manager at Mister B's Paint & Body. The course included diagnostic theory, advanced drivability troubleshooting, and OBD II advanced functions, he said. For future classes, e-mail Benevidez at scottieb1987@msn.com.
WYOMING
Greiner Ford in Casper has hired Phillip McCollough to serve as its parts manager. McCollough brings several years of experience in Ford parts to the job, having most recently worked as parts manager at Garnsey & Wheeler Ford in Greeley, Colo.
Chris Wolfley recently opened Salt River Auto Body at 93 CMR Lane in Star Valley. Wolfey, a graduate of WyoTech, said his shop services passenger vehicles as well RVs and big equipment.
Comment on this article
Send This Link To Friend