For only the second time in its 38-year history, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is being led by the trucking industry. Last November, John Pfennig, manager, service education for Navistar Inc., was elected chairman for 2010. He leads an impressive roster of industry volunteers whose commitment to excellence is reflected in their service as members of ASE’s board of directors and governors. In fact, one of the reasons ASE has been and continues to be the industry standard credential for technicians and other service professionals is the involvement of extremely talented and knowledgeable individuals at all levels whose dedication to making our industry better has produced one of the most effective certification programs in history.
ASE’s commitment to the heavy-duty technicians began with the medium-heavy truck series and has since expanded into school bus and, most recently, transit bus areas. In fact, there are more ASE certification credentials available to professionals working in the heavy-duty market than any other segment of the industry. To date, there are 67,810 individuals holding certifications in one or more of these categories, and another 2,722 medium/heavy parts specialists. Together, they represent 209,695 certifications and about one-fifth of all ASE-certified professionals.
ASE has always had representatives from the heavy-duty market involved with the organization, and their input and assistance has been invaluable in developing all of our certification series. Having such high-level representation from the heavy-duty market as Navistar’s John Pfennig on our board of directors is even more appropriate at this particular time, given the growing embracement of ASE certification by fleets of all kinds. Recognition of the value in productivity, first-fix accuracy and personal development inherent in the certification process is reflected by ASE’s involvement with such outstanding industry programs at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s SuperTech competition and many other recognition programs. In fact, at ASE’s most recent awards banquet held in conjunction with the November board meeting, 23 award sponsors honored 33 professionals from all walks of the automotive industry. Five of those sponsors provided seven individual awards to professionals from the heavy-duty market—20% of all awards given! One such talented individual was Sarah Herbst, heavy-duty parts specialist and the latest in a line of very capable women award-winners representing the best our industry has to offer. Helping wherever we can to spotlight and recognize excellence wherever it is found is central to the ASE mission, and we remain grateful to the host of industry partners who provide the many opportunities to honor the commitment, expertise and example of so many dedicated professionals. For more about ASE certification, drop me a note at
tmolla@ase.com.