The Automotive Service Association (ASA) Collision Division Operations Committee recently met in Washington, D.C., to discuss several topics affecting the collision repair industry. The open meeting was held prior to the ASA "Taking the Hill" Fly-In May 11-12.

At the meeting, the ASA volunteer leadership focused on several topics tied to the ASA 'Taking the Hill' Fly-In, which addressed consumer consent to the use of replacement crash parts in vehicle repair, as well as the regulation of replacement crash parts; the importance of periodic motor vehicle safety inspection programs; and full repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act. Committee members also discussed current industry topics regarding paintless dent repair.

"As the new ASA Collision Division director, it was an honor and a privilege to address the many concerns of the collision repairer and to work with such a professional team of individuals. As our industry continues to face tough issues head-on, open and thoughtful dialog is vital in gaining knowledge, making sound decisions and improving our industry," said Dan Stander of Jerry Stander's Collision Works, Littleton, Colo. "By being a part of ASA we have an opportunity to make a difference; being involved is the first step."

In addition to Stander, the following operations committee members were present: Mike Anderson, AAM, CollisionAdvice.com, Pomfret, Md.; Stacy Bartnik, CARSTAR Franchise Systems Inc., Overland Park, Kan.; Tommy Clayton, Tommy's Dent Service, Gibsonville, N.C.; Paul Duncan, AAM, Duncan's Collision Inc., Boardman, Ohio; Dustin Eckhart, AAM, Hernandez Collision Center, Savannah, Ga.; Mike Schoonover, Schoonover Bodyworks Inc., St. Paul, Minn.; and Steve Tomaszewski, Alpine Collision Center, Grand Rapids, Mich.

"The willingness of the 2010 ASA Collision Division Operations Committee to meet on their own dime and their own time, prior to the ASA 'Taking the Hill' Fly-In, demonstrates their level of dedication to ASA and improving the collision repair industry," said Stander. "We see the challenges of parts quality and safety, insurer-collision repairer relations and related items, data ownership and estimate efficiencies as priority items for 2010 and our 2010 team."

Denise Caspersen, manager of ASA's Collision Division, said, "The ASA 'Taking the Hill' Fly-In was an outstanding opportunity to highlight two core strengths of ASA - its legislative capacity and the extraordinary guidance of the association through its active volunteer leadership.

For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.asashop.org, or visit ASA's legislative website at www.takingthehill.com.