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Letter to the Editor

Ron Pyle to be Next ASA President

Ron Pyle, a 30-year veteran of the automotive industry, has been selected by the ASA board of directors to become the association's next president. In making the announcement, ASA Chairman Dan Frohlich said, "ASA conducted a national search and considered more than 100 individuals for this important position.

"The goal going into the search was to find the absolute best candidate and bring that person to ASA. One person, Ron Pyle, clearly stood apart and enabled us to fulfill our goal," Frohlich said.

"I am excited Ron has agreed to become a part of ASA. Those of us who have gotten to know him during this search process agree ASA will have outstanding leadership in the years ahead," Frohlich said.

Pyle will join the ASA national staff on July 25. On Nov. 1, he will assume the presidency from current ASA President Walter Trapp.

"This is a tremendous honor for me," Pyle said. "Having spent most of my adult life in the automotive industry, I have admired and supported ASA and its unwavering efforts in advancing independent automotive service.

"At this very moment, for instance, the information availability bill being considered in the U.S. Congress is an ASA bill. ASA is the voice for the independent service professional. I am fortunate to have this opportunity to became part of such an outstanding organization and help lead it and the industry into the future," Pyle said.

ASA recently adopted a new five-year strategic plan to map a course for every initiative it undertakes. "With his considerable industry experience, Ron is the person who's best prepared to navigate that course," Frohlich said.

Calling the strategic plan bold, Pyle said, "It challenges ASA's members, board and committees, affiliates and staff to move the association from a position of leadership to the position of leadership. That's a critical difference and it's one of the reasons why I am so excited about the opportunities awaiting me.

"The chance to participate in creating a renewed, stronger ASA will undoubtedly prove to be the highlight of my career because tens of thousands of industry professionals and millions of motorists are the beneficiaries of the accomplishments ASA members achieve," Pyle said. "My path has crossed ASA's path several times during my career, so I know what an outstanding organization this is."

Most recently, Pyle served as distribution network president for California-based CarParts Technologies. Prior to that, Pyle worked for the National Pronto Association, from 1989 to 2000, joining that company as vice president of marketing and spending seven years as president and CEO.

Additionally, Pyle has owned and operated successful parts distribution and retail companies, and also worked as a territory sales manager for Standard Motor Products.

In 2000-2001 he served as the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) board chairman, and is currently serving as past chairman and treasurer. Pyle also served as chairman of the Automotive Service Industry Association (ASIA) in 1999-2000 and was instrumental in the formation of AAIA which resulted from the merger of ASIA and the Automotive Parts and Accessories Association.

Pyle is a member of the Northwood University Aftermarket Advisory Committee.

A graduate of the prestigious U.S. Navy Nuclear Power School, Pyle served aboard the USS Sargo, an early generation nuclear fast attack submarine.

Walter Trapp announced in March his decision not to seek a renewal of his contract with ASA, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. At that time, to identify potential successors, the ASA board retained Chicago-based Tuft and Associates Inc., a firm specializing in association executive searches.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind, internationally serving more than 12,000 businesses and approximately 65,000 professionals from all segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

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