The Automotive Service Association (ASA) recently announced a significant change to their business model, moving to a regional structure and a lower-cost, subscription-based dues model. As of one of the oldest National Associations representing independent mechanical and collision repair shops in the U.S. evolves to meet the challenges of our rapidly-changing industry, new Regional Executive Director positions have been created and are currently being filled. The latest announcement was the appointment of Mary Steele as the Regional Executive Director of the ASA Southeast Region, one of six areas that together cover the nation. Listen in as we talk with Mary about her background and experience in the automotive industry, and her thoughts on her new role with ASA.

Steele is based in Stuart, Florida and will report to Blair Calvo, Vice President of Regional Services at ASA.

In this episode, Mary talks about the opportunities she sees in training and customer service as ASA positions itself to better serve its members as the largest generational shift in the history of the automotive service industry continues and a new cadre of younger shop owners prepare themselves to take the industry into the future. This is another in the ASA Podcast series to help ASA members get to know more about the new leadership and direction of the Automotive Service Association and the plans for helping shop owners meet the challenges of the 21st Century. Hear all about it as Mary discusses:

• Her background as a shop member and history with ASA in Pennsylvania and Florida.
• The opportunity she sees in growing the Southeast Region under the new regional model by providing the kind of customer service the members want.
• Creating a focus on the next generation now taking their place as leaders in the automotive service industry.
• The existing and planned benefits now being explored to improve the value of an ASA membership.
• The important legislative advocacy ASA’s Washington Office brings to the industry by being the only organization advocating for and representing the independent shop owner community exclusively on Capitol Hill and State Houses across the country.
• How ASA will continue to help members develop their business and themselves through training and interaction with their peers in new ways and why communication is key.
• How the existing training events will be incorporated into the new structure and why the importance of training is an 11 on a 10-point scale.
• How the new structure and direction is positioned to bring representation, training and events, along with opportunities for networking and education delivered how and where the members want it. 
• How the new structure is helping ASA evolve into one of the next-generation national associations that can help the industry speak with One Voice.
• For more information, you can reach Mary at southeast@asashop.org.