"To Unite and Elevate Automotive Professionals, and Give Them Voice" | | |
ASCCA November Team Weekend Wrap-up
Provided by Anne Mullinax, ASCCA Deputy Executive Director
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ASCCA President, Dave Kusa welcomed fellow leaders, members, and partners to the November 2025 Team Weekend on Saturday, November 15th, in Sacramento, CA. In addition to those that attended in-person, several attendees participated via Zoom. If you were unable to join us, here is a recap of the Team Weekend events.
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Government Affairs Committee
Jack Molodanof reported that a new regulatory packet was released by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) just in the previous few days. As part of this release, a requirement was published calling for mobile repair services to include their business name, ARD license number, and telephone number (registered with BAR) in any internet advertising. The BAR will be releasing additional guidelines on the use of tracking numbers.
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J. Molodanof summarized the following two-year bills that are being tracked:
- SB 615 – Electric Batteries Disposal
- AB 1331 – Employee Workplace Surveillance
- SB 712 – Smog check exemption on vehicles 35 years old
President Kusa thanked J. Molodanof for his strong efforts on behalf of ASCCA and presented him with the “President’s Award” for 2025.
Be sure to watch TeamTalk and the monthly ASCCA newsletter for updates from J. Molodanof.
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Education, Training and Information (ETI) Committee
The focus of the ETI Committee meeting was to gather ideas on topics and speakers for the 2026 Annual Training Conference. Some of the ideas discussed as well as some preliminary planning for the 2025 event included:
- AI Training – Technical and Management
- Potential liability in using unvetted information
- Advantages of using AI for Techs
- Panel of Shop Owners who have implemented AI to discuss real world examples
- Employee Training Programs
- Human Resources Issues
- Best Practices, ROI, and Team Adoption of Digital Vehicle Inspections
Further suggestions will be solicited from the ASCCA membership. If anyone has a specific class or speaker suggestion, please email that information to info@ascca.com.
Be sure to mark your calendars! The 2025 Conference will be held September 12-14th at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, San Francisco Airport Waterfront. More information will be available on the ASCCA website, TeamTalk, and via email blasts!
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Membership Committee
During the Membership Committee, Chair Angi Roberts reviewed the photos submitted for the recent Membership Photo Challenge and announced the winners:
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Chapter 24, San Diego, two new members with photos of them joining
Antonio Cordova and Joseph Zendejas
Each new member receives $125 and Chapter 24 receives $50.
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Chapter 48, Orange County, two new members with photos of them joining
Colton Franco and Anthony/Marla Wrixon
Each new member receives $125 and Chapter 48 receives $50.
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Most Impactful Photo: Samantha Tracy
Samantha receives $200 and Chapter 14 receives $50.
Southern Region is the winning region for this honor.
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Most Photos Submitted: Dave Kusa
Dave receives $200 and Chapter 42 receives $50.
Central Region is the winning region for this honor.
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Most Impactful Photo – Associate Member/Partner Submission:
John Belzner, RepWorks
RepWorks will receive additional promotional opportunities through ASCCA.
Associate Member/Partner Submissions do not receive cash prizes.
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Most Impactful Photo – Retired Member:
Paul Gretch
Paul Gretch will be featured in the newsletter and social media platforms with his photo to show our appreciation of his decades of support of the ASCCA and Chapter 21 (San Francisco).
Retired members do not receive cash prizes.
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| Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo to the contest. Watch throughout the coming year as they may be used on the website, newsletter, social media, and the promotion for the 2026 Annual Training Conference. | | |
Annual Installation Luncheon
Following the morning Committee meetings, the attendees gathered for the Installation Luncheon. President Chesnin thanked the 2025 Board of Directors, the Committee Chairs, the Corporate Partners, and the membership for their support during his presidency.
ASCCA Executive Director Gloria Peterson invited the 2026 Board of Director to join her to be sworn into office. The Board consists of:
President: Jennifer Barizon
Vice President: John Bridgwater
Secretary: Gilbert Rios
Treasurer: Seiko Nagata
Immediate Past President: Dave Kusa
Speaker of Council of Representatives: Julio Campos
Directors: Rory Balmer. Daniel Costa, Trent Courtney,
John Eppstein, Rob Morrell, and Bob Toepp
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President Kusa presented the gavel to incoming President Barizon and commented on his ongoing support of her and her goals for ASCCA in 2026.
Incoming President Barazan briefly stated her goal of growing ASCCA, primarily to give the members a stronger voice in Sacramento.
In closing, Incoming President Barizon presented President Kusa with a plaque expressing the appreciation of the full ASCCA.
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Council of Representatives Meeting
Speaker of the Council Julio Campos called the meeting to order at 2:00pm. He welcomed representatives from Chapters 5, 12, 14, 16, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 28, 42, and 48. Chapters 18, 1940, and 99… you were missed!
Glen Dailey, Interwest Insurance (formerly known as Armstrong & Associates) reported the following:
- Rates for workers’ compensation insurance are increasing minimally. Preferred Insurance prices are very competitive right now. G. Dailey stressed the importance of holding and documenting safety meetings at shops.
- More companies are quoting garage keepers insurance, but pricing may not be competitive. Since Nationwide began to not write these policies, Travelers Insurance appears to be the largest provider.
- Due to number of auto accidents and litigious nature of California, commercial auto policies remain the same in terms of pricing.
- Premiums for heath care policies will increase again, perhaps as much as 2-3 times over 2025 amounts. It is difficult to predict what may come out of the federal government on this topic due to a potential shut down in January.
G. Dailey reminded the attendees that he and Mat Nabity (Coremark) are available to attend Chapter meetings.
Following this presentation, the Council of Representatives discussed encouraging their members to consider participating on a State-wide committee, especially Membership and Revenue & Benefits. Incoming President Barizon also encouraged Chapter Representatives to look at members who could be potential leaders on the State level.
The meeting concluded with Chapter Representatives describing their recent meetings and activities as well as what is planned for the upcoming holiday season.
The ASCCA Board of Directors met on Sunday morning. Following an update by Glenn Dailey, the Board approved the following:
- Appointment of Trent Courtney and Blanca Yebra as Trustees for the ASCEF.
- The directives for the ASCCA Committees contained in the agenda packet for 2026.
- The addition of a space to indicate a donation to the ASCEF on the invoices sent to ASCCA members.
- The contract with Advocacy & Management Group.
At the conclusion of the meeting, President Dave Kusa thanked the Board for their support and stated his excitement at continuing to work with them as a Past President.
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Important Dates for 2026
March 27–29: Team Weekend, Sacramento
September 11–15: Annual Training Conference, Irvine
November 13–14: Team Weekend, Sacramento
| | | The Legislature has adjourned for the year and will reconvene in January. In the interim, several key regulatory proposals remain pending. Below is the November Regulatory and Legislative Report: | | |
ASCCA Member Trent Courtney’s shop, Frank’s Auto Service
Named Best Auto Repair Shop
by the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce
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2025 Best of Walnut Creek: Chamber Awards
The Best of Walnut Creek Chamber Awards highlight and recognize the businesses that stand out in our incredible business community, voted on by the Walnut Creek community! Congratulations to all of our winners!
▶︎ walnut-creek.com/bestofwalnutcreek
| | Cool Air Rebate Toolkit for ASCCA Members | | |
ASCCA’s John Eppstein Talks Cool Air Rebates on ABC 10 News:
"New California program offers financial assistance for vehicle air conditioning repairs"
Watch the Interview...
| | Past Webinar Recordings Available! | | Remarkable Results Radio - New Podcast Episodes! | | |
Train the Trainer: Building an Industry Boot Camp for Automotive Educators
(Town Hall Academy)
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The automotive industry faces a growing crisis: as veteran trainers and educators retire, there’s no clear path for the next generation to replace them. Creating quality training is time-intensive — often taking months to develop just one...
Read More/Listen...
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Rock Your Role: Creating an Experience Employees and Customers Cheer For
(Remarkable Results)
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Recorded Live at ASTA 2025, keynote speaker Jim Knight dives into leadership and organizational culture through his signature “edutainment” style—a high-energy blend of music, education, and hospitality. Knight is...
Read More/Listen...
| | You can find all the newest episodes as well as the entire library HERE! | | |
Albert Nava
Jasper Engines and Transmissions
Ch. 5 Associate Member
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Daniel Aguilar
M&M Alternators & Batteries Auto Care
Ch. 14 Regular Member
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Doug Blickhan
Affordable Auto Repair
Ch. 25 Regular Member
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Dennis Schlundt
Dennis' Auto Repair
Ch. 24 Regular Member
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Richard Nguyen
Harbor Brakes LLC
Ch. 48 Regular Member
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ASCCA Committees NEED YOU to engage with them! Involvement your time and responsibilities. Just send us an email and we’ll hook you up with the right person: info@ascca.com.
You can learn more about all of the ASCCA Committees here at: www.ascca.com/committees
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March Team Weekend
March 27-29, 2026
Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade
Annual Training Conference
September 11-15, 2026
Hilton Irvine/Orange County Airport
November Team Weekend
November 13-14, 2026
Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade
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Chapter 5 – Foothill
December 2 6:30pm
ascca.05@gmail.com
Chapter 23 – Peninsula
December 10 7:00pm
Chapter 99 – Redding
December 16 6:00pm
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Chapter 24 – San Diego
December 16 6:30pm
(619) 287-9626
Chapter 48 – North Orange County
December 17 6:00pm
| | Attention ASCCA Chapters! | | |
Applications are currently being accepted for the Automotive Service Councils Educational Foundation (ASCEF) 2026 scholarships! Each year, the ASCEF awards scholarships ranging from $500 - $1,000. These scholarships provide assistance to current under-graduates who are in the automotive service field.
Overall Qualifications: You must be planning to seek employment in the California after-market/independent repair industry and be a
- California high school senior who plans to enroll in post high school technical and academic training or
- California college under-graduate in the automotive service field.
Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2026.
To apply online visit: https://automotivescholarships.com/scholarships/ascca
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Have a Chapter Meeting Coming Up?
ASCEF Chair John Eppstein and ASCEF President Dave Kusa would like to come to your meeting and talk about the ASCEF Car Donation Program and the value it can bring to not only your shop, but also your customers!
To schedule a date, email either John at john@johnsautomotivecare.com or Dave at dave@autotrenddiagnostics.com.
| | Give the Gift of Education! Donate to the ASCEF! | | |
Call (844) 877-2473 to make a donation today! Every car donated goes towards scholarships for students developing a career in the automotive aftermarket industry.
OR Make a Monetary Donation
Read more about how this works | Visit the ASCEF Website
The ASC Educational Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that provides scholarships and financial assistance to students wishing to develop a career in the automotive field.
| | Your donations will continue to help us award scholarships to students seeking a career in the automotive aftermarket industry. We appreciate all the support! | | It’s so easy to build careers one car at a time. ASC Educational Foundation rewards scholarships each year to students wishing to develop a career in the automotive aftermarket industry. So help us make a difference in a student’s life! Learn more about donations through the ASC Educational Foundation. | | |
The ADA Checklist: 2021 Compliance
Guidelines for Website Accessibility
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ADA website compliance and web accessibility are two terms that are used interchangeably but they are distinct from one another.
ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Courts are construing Title III of the ADA to mean that websites must be accessible. Thus, with ADA website compliance, we're referring to the law.
Read more...
| | Refer a Member Receive $125 | |
You're eligible for a $125 referral fee when you refer a new Regular or Associate member to ASCCA!
Referral Awards are paid out when the member's annual dues are paid for their first year.
Contact the ASCCA office if you have any questions at info@ascca.com or (800) 810-4272!
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1 Capitol Mall, Ste. 800
Sacramento, CA 95814
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