ASA’s board of directors created the scholarship and financed it out of their pockets to cover plane fare, expenses and a night out for the recipient at the Expo, which takes place July 23-25 at Detroit’s Cobo Center. The recipient also will receive SuperPass credentials, training materials and a special hotel room rate.
According to Donny Seyfer, ASA chairman, the winner of this year’s scholarship is 23-year-old Artur Bercan, who works at Larson’s Quality Automotive Service in Peabody, Mass. Bercan recently earned his National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master certification after successfully completing 10 ASE courses. He’s also an active member of the EssexTech Automotive Technology Advisory Council and attended Automechanika 2015 in Chicago and VisionKC in 2014 and 2015.
“Artur works at a great shop,” Seyfer says, explaining the selection committee’s decision. “He’s an impressive young guy. I’ve had the pleasure of having him in classes I’ve taught in Massachusetts. He asks great questions and is engaged in his own learning. He became an ASE Master tech at a very young age. All of these things made us feel that he was a great choice.”
Artur’s supervisor at the shop, owner Diane Larson, agrees. “He’s so very deserving of this scholarship,” she says. “Since he joined Larson’s at the age of 20, we’ve found him to excel in every aspect of his work, becoming a top drivability and problem-solving technician. He’s also a dedicated team player, always eager to take on any challenge to improve his skills and take any training that’s offered to him.”
Bercan, though a native of Brazil, has lived most of his life in the United States. He says this will be his first trip to Detroit and that he looks forward to attending NACE | CARS to meet other young techs and industry professionals.
“I feel honored to be selected,” he says. “It will help further improve my abilities and my career opportunities. Eventually, I plan to have my own shop. My family has always supported my career path, ever since I dedicated myself to it in high school. They’re happy I’ve received this scholarship, and I’m thankful for this opportunity. Meeting new people who share the same interests and goals is always great.”
The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry.
ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. To take advantage of the many benefits of membership in ASA, please visit www.ASAshop.org or call (817) 514-2900.
About the Events
Along with NACE | CARS 2015, a series of automotive repair industry events and co-located meetings will take place July 21-July 25, 2015. There will be a series of Board and other private meetings, the CIC quarterly meeting, a CREF golf fundraiser, I-CAR add-on learning classes, I-CAR stage and demos, meetings with CCIF, NABC and MERA, as well as the NACE | CARS Expo and more.
International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) – the world’s collision repair event – represents the only B2B event of its kind specifically designed for collision repair industry professionals from around the globe. NACE features a comprehensive educational Conference and Expo with hundreds of diverse exhibiting companies displaying the latest equipment, products, services and technology available to today’s collision repair industry.
Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) – the premier event for automotive service professionals – features a high-quality education lineup led by industry leaders, along with an exhibitor showcase of automotive service and repair related equipment, products and services.
NACE | CARS 2015 is produced for the Automotive Service Association (ASA) by Stone Fort Group, an integrated media company specializing in live events, print and digital media. For 2015 exhibit or show information, contact ASA’s show management team at:
Stone Fort Group
(832) 932-7868
12335 Kingsride Lane, #420
Houston, TX 77024
For additional event information, visit www.NACEexpo.com or www.CARSevent.com.
About the Sponsor
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is the sponsor of NACE and CARS. ASA is the largest international not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive industry through education, legislative representation and member services. For additional information about ASA or to join, go to www.ASAshop.org.
