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Sam Mikhail, Owner of Prestige Auto Body in Garwood, NJ, Named to AASP/NJ Hall of Fame As he has for the previous 30 years, Sam Mikhail of Prestige Auto Body
Prestige Auto Body in Garwood, NJ
attended the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey
(AASP/NJ)’s annual membership meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel of Clark in late October. Mikhail was expecting to appreciate that night’s presentations by Erica Eversman and Larry Montenez, but what Mikhail didn’t expect was the surprise announcement that he was the 28th member of AASP/NJ’s Hall of Fame. “I am honored and thrilled to receive such a prestigious honor,” Mikhail said from his shop in Garwood, NJ. “It really never crossed my mind. To be acknowledged by my
VOL. 1 ISSUE 9 DECEMBER 2011
Voices Heard Amid Revving Engines at SEMA —What Collision Repairers Said and Heard by John Yoswick
When you read a sampling of comments from among the 135,000 people in Vegas during SEMA week—you realize, no matter how you look at it—that SEMA has all the diversity of a small city. A city where, for love or profit, all the citizens share a car obsession, but a city-sized population nonetheless. About 132,000 people flooded into Las Vegas in November for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) tradeshow, with about half of those pegged by show organ-
See Mikhail, Page 8
Keenan Auto Body’s First Responder Training Brings Together PA & DE Rescuers, Insurers and Manufacturers
Body South in West Chester, PA, industry trainer Toby Chess helped deliver the latest in vehicle extrication technology to first responders to help them save lives. The events were organized and sponsored by Keenan’s. Keenan VP and COO, Michael LeVFirst responders in need of body work pose with extricated vehicle, asseur introduced one of eight donated by State Farm, Esurance, and 1800 Charity Cars Keenan Auto Body’s First Responder trainOn Tuesday, October 25th at Keenan Auto ing program. Body East in Clifton Heights, PA, and on Wednesday, October 26th at Keenan Auto See Hey Toby! Page 14
See SEMA Heard & Said, Page 46
One of three SEMA Show Halls hosting 2,000 vehicles and 135,000 attendees
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Shop and Product SHOWCASE
California DOI Meeting Reviews Regulations Affecting Aftermarket Parts and Accountability by Ed Attanasio
In the first major policy meeting directly affecting the collision repair industry, representatives of Insurance Commissioner David Jones called a pre-notice public meeting for discussions on regulations regarding standards for reasonable repairs and the use of aftermarket parts on November 16th in San Francisco.
In preparation for the “pre-notice public discussions,” the Commissioner released a series of proposed revisions to the California Code of Regulations that was discussed and reviewed in depth at the meeting (see sidebar p. 53). Jones and his department plan to issue an official Notice of Proposed Action. The meeting was chaired by Teresa A. Campbell of the DOI’s See DOI Meeting, Page 52
Toby Chess Asks Repairers to Email Details of Parts that Don’t Fit or Appear Substandard in Materials Toby Chess wants repairers to email him the details of ill-fitting or poorquality parts—whether OEM or nonOEM, certified or non-certified. “I’m not against aftermarket parts,” Chess has repeatedly said. “My message is that all that shops want are good quality parts that don’t require margin-eating extra days or hours of returns and refitting. Where they come from is not the issue.” Email him with the details at tcspeedster@ yahoo.com.
At CIC in Las Vegas Chess (l) addressed the Alternative Parts Subcommittee by holding up a certified—but, he contended, mismatching —replacement fender and headlamp assembly. Chess says such parts are underreported.
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