The Automotive Service Association (ASA) recently announced a significant change to their business model, moving to a regional structure and a lower-cost, subscription-based dues model. As of one of the oldest National Associations representing independent mechanical and collision repair shops in the U.S. evolves to meet the challenges of our rapidly-changing industry, new Regional Executive Director positions have been created and are currently being filled. The latest announcement was the appointment of Mike McManus as the Regional Executive Director of the ASA Great Lakes Region, one of six areas that together cover the nation. Listen in as we talk with Mike about his background and experience in the automotive industry, and his thoughts on his new role with ASA.

McManus is based in Wisconsin and will report to Blair Calvo, vice president of Regional Services at ASA.

In this episode, Mike talks about the opportunities she sees as the organization positions itself to better serve its members in our post-COVID and pre-electrified industry. This is another in the ASA Podcast series to help ASA members get to know more about the new leadership and direction of the Automotive Service Association and the plans for helping shop owners meet the challenges of the 21st Century. Hear all about it as Mike discusses:

• His background in association management and unique qualifications to help grow ASA membership in the Great Lakes Region.
• The opportunity he sees in growing the Great Lakes Region by listening to the needs of the membership.
• His plans for outreach, including roundtables and events to those thousands of shop owners who are not currently part of an association.
• The existing and planned benefits now being explored to improve the value of an ASA membership.
• The critical and unique value ASA’s Washington Office brings to the industry by being the only organization advocating for and representing the independent shop owner community exclusively on Capitol Hill and State Houses across the country.
• Why the new ASA structure has been created to provide better strength in numbers and how it can help members develop their business and themselves through training and interaction with their peers in new ways. 
• Why participation and communication is key.
• How the new structure and direction is positioned to bring representation, training and events, along with opportunities for networking and education delivered how the members want it. 
• How the new structure is helping ASA evolve into one of the next-generation national associations that can help the industry speak with One Voice.
• For more information, you can reach Mike at greatlakes@asashop.org.