Lee Vetland, owner of Lee’s Auto Body and a past president of the Garden State Automotive Federation, one of the groups that merged to form the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey, passed away on Tuesday, January 1. He was 71 years old. Vetland owned and operated Lee’s Auto Body and Pine Top […]
Bobby Johnson, Texas Collision Repair Shop Owner, Author and Speaker Passes Away
Bobby Wayne Johnson of Woodlawn, Texas passed away September 1st at the age 73. Johnson, the founder of B & J Collision in Jefferson, Texas was a frequent speaker at industry events and wrote extensively about the industry for several trade publications. Johnson was selected as the Bodyshop Business Executive of the Year in 1989. […]
Don Keenan Services Announced
Services have been announced for Don Keenan, who passed away on August 9. A viewing will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 21 at the Donohue Funeral Home at 3300 West Chester Pike in Newtown Square, Pa. Another viewing will be held at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Media, at 9:30-10:20 a.m. on […]
Don Keenan, Former CEO of Keenan Auto Body and Past Chair of SCRS, Passes Away
Don Keenan, former CEO of Keenan Auto Body, passed away Thursday, August 9 at the age of 64. Keenan was a participant in numerous industry groups. Keenan graduated from Penn State University in 1975, and received his Masters Degree in Education from Arizona State University in 1978. In 1979 Don joined his father in the […]
AkzoNobel’s Dave Smith Passes Away
AkzoNobel announced that Dave Smith, Regional Sales Leader for the U.S. East Market, passed away May 28. In a statement, the paint system manufacturer said: It is with great sadness that AkzoNobel announces the death of our dear friend and colleague, Dave Smith, who passed away on May 28, 2018. Dave was much respected by […]
Denise Hepler, Former NABC Board Member, Passes Away
Denise Hepler, the former national account manager, replacement relationships for Hertz, and member of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) board of directors, passed away March 21. Hepler, 53, who resided in St. Peters, Mo., managed multiple shop operator accounts for Hertz for several years and represented the company at industry events. Hepler was elected […]
AASP/NJ Board Member William “Billy” Aiello Passes Away
William “Billy” Aiello, 47 of South Plainfield, N.J. passed away surrounded by his family January 30, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. Aiello was elected to the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers on NJ (AASP/NJ) Board of Directors in October 2017. Aiello is survived by his wife Kara (Kaskiw) Aiello, his daughter Brooke, […]
AASP/NJ Mourns the Loss of Board Member Anthony Sauta
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) announced that on December 19 it lost a dear friend, supporter and current Board member with the passing of Anthony Sauta at age 59. Sauta began his automotive career over 25 years ago, working as a mechanic, then as a manager at an automotive repair […]
Andre Lacy, Former FinishMaster Chairman, Dies in Motorcycle Crash in Africa
LDI Ltd., LLC announced the death of its chairman, Andre B. Lacy, yesterday at age 78. Lacy passed away in Botswana in a single-rider accident while on a private motorcycle tour in southern Africa. LDI acquired majority control of FinishMaster in 1996. Lacy served as chairman and CEO of FinishMaster until his retirement from the […]
Al Gaspar, Former President of AAIA, Passes Away
Al Gaspar, industry icon and former president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), passed away at his home in Cave Creek, Ariz. on Saturday, Nov. 25. “Al was one of the most respected and revered individuals in the business,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. “When Al walked into […]