The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP) Board of Directors voted to dissolve the operations of the national association at the end of the year.

At its May meeting, the board hired an association management facilitator to identify potential opportunities for future initiatives and strategic focus, according to a news release from AASP.

“However, in light of its diminished affiliate numbers and recognizing the challenges of having a meaningful impact at the national level, the board concluded that dissolving the national association was the best path forward,” the release states.

AASP President Dan Sjolseth added, “We are proud to have served the industry for the past 25 years, acting as a networking hub for associations and facilitating the exchange of information and best practices. AASP National has run its course but its spirit will live on through the continued work of our seven affiliate groups to positively impact the industry at a local level.”

The release says the AASP National Board expressed its commitment to guiding the organization through its final phase with diligence and care, including the responsible and equitable distribution of its remaining assets.

AASP co-founded and funded the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) with the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS). As a symbol of its pride in doing so, AASP has contributed $100,000 (equivalent to five years of current financial support) “to ensure that that valuable industry resource continues to thrive and benefit the industry.”

The DEG helps improve collision repair estimate information through repairer feedback on vehicle-specific errors, omissions, and inaccuracies in the database and labor times.

AASP’s remaining assets will be distributed equally among current affiliates in good standing including AASP Illinois, AASP Massachusetts, AASP Minnesota, AASP New Jersey, AASP Pennsylvania, Automotive Service & Tire Alliance North Carolina and New York State Association of Service Stations and Repair Shops.

According to the release, AASP plans to maintain an informal communication network for state affiliate representatives to preserve the connections and support that have been the cornerstone of AASP National.

“The AASP National Board’s dedication to stewarding the association through its dissolution reflects its commitment to the organization’s legacy and its members,” the release says. “These efforts will ensure that the values and relationships cultivated by AASP National endure, even as the organization formally concludes its operations.”

The AASP National Board’s final meeting will be held in November in conjunction with the SEMA and AAPEX shows.

Judell Anderson, AASP National administrator and retired AASP-MN executive director, told Repairer Driven News that the association wasn’t designed to be a large and separate national entity.

“It was more to support our state groups,” she said. “That was our main emphasis was to be a conduit for the state groups to come together and learn from each other. I think over the years that has proven to be valuable. We’ve kept true to that mission.”

Ken Miller, president of AASP/New Jersey, said in a separate news release following the National Board’s decision that the dissolution “has no bearing on the ability of the organization’s affiliate chapters, including AASP/NJ, to maintain normal operations.”

“AASP/NJ is stronger than ever and will continue to operate as usual,” Miller said. “AASP/NJ operates completely independently so the dissolution of the national organization will have absolutely no impact on our ongoing efforts to support the success of Garden State collision and mechanical repair shops.

“We continue to work closely with the state legislature on behalf of New Jersey shops, and our focus on providing shops with educational and networking opportunities will only gain momentum… AASP National has been an amazing asset to the industry for over two decades,” Miller notes. “We are extremely proud to have been a major part of it.”

Images

Featured image: The AASP National Board of Directors in May 2024. (Left to right) Lucas Underwood (NC), Barry Burkholder (PA), Tom Elder (NJ), Bob Gottfred (IL), Ken Miller (NJ), Tricia Sauls (NC), Will Latuff (MN), Dan Sjolseth (MN), Judell Anderson (AASP National), Lucky Papageorg (MA), and Avi Olitzky (consultant). (Photo provided by AASP National)