For one week in June, automotive service professionals around the country will get their turn in the spotlight for the fourth year in a row. National Automotive Service Professionals Week is June 9-15, as declared by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). This year’s celebration runs Monday through Sunday instead of Sunday through Saturday in response to shops’ requests to end on a weekend for internal celebrations, according to Tony Molla, ASE VP Communications. “ASE created National Automotive Service Professionals Week to recognize the men and women who service and maintain the highly complex vehicles upon which we depend so much for our day-to-day transportation,” says Tim Zilke, ASE president and CEO. “This event acknowledges that skill and dedication, and ASE is proud to help recognize these individuals for their commitment to their customers, their craft and the American economy.” Building on the success of Automotive Service Professionals Day established in 2001, ASE launched National Automotive Service Professional's Week in 2005 to honor the commitment and dedication of automotive, truck and collision technicians, along with parts specialists and other support professionals who serve the motoring public. “Twenty-five states, the District of Columbia and Broward County, Fla., issued proclamations honoring National Automotive Service Professionals Week in 2006,” says Trish Serratore, ASE senior VP. “We will once again push to have all fifty states recognize the outstanding work done by automotive professionals across the nation in 2008.” ASE will provide a form letter and enlist the aid of local shop owners in each state to petition their respective governors to mark this special week. Incorporated on June 12, 1972, ASE was established as a non-profit organization to help improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians and parts specialists. Today, there are approximately 400,000 ASE-certified professionals who work in dealerships, independent shops, service stations, collision repair shops, auto parts stores, fleets, machine shops, schools and colleges throughout the country. For more information about ASE, visit the Web site at www.ase.com. |