AOCA Makes Things Happen!

By Pat Wirth

This must be “year of the woman” at the Automotive Oil Change Association!

First, our association elected just its second female president in over two decades of existence, and it now has its first female executive director, Leanne Stump. Please join me in congratulating Leanne on this most deserved promotion. Many of you know Leanne, as she has been supporting AOCA in a variety of positions for more than 10 years — particularly in the area of member services. Many of you have met her in person at our annual conventions. During her tenure she has ensured that AOCA weathers any transition with determination and ingenuity. In addition to her AOCA experience, Leanne assumes this position with strong credentials: a bachelor’s degree with a double major in business administration and accounting, and more than 300 professional development hours in the field of association management. We are proud to have her become the new face of this dynamic organization.

As the industry’s trade association, AOCA is committed to providing members with the business tools, resources and education to professionally and successfully deliver convenient automotive oil changes and other preventive maintenance services to the motoring public. There is a saying that goes something like this: Some people watch things happen, some people make things happen and some people ask, “What happened?” AOCA prides itself on making things happen, and I’d like to share some of the activities in which we are engaged to do just that.

Select quick lube installers and installer groups will be receiving an invitation in the near future to come together and participate in a national summit to discuss a variety of challenges facing our industry. In the last decade, we have silently witnessed tune-up shops, muffler shops and transmission shops lose a huge chunk of their core business — primarily because of changes in technology, but also because their industries were not united. There is irrefutable evidence that there is a dedicated movement to pursue the dissolution of our industry in a similar fashion.

In addition to technological changes, our industry is plagued with misinformation that abounds in the marketplace regarding extended service intervals, severe-service driving conditions and the myriad oils and lubricants from which consumers can choose. Our industry needs to take control of this message and ensure that the motoring public understands that we are the experts in preventive fluid maintenance. Quick lubes of every “brand” must unite to distribute this message nationally. We definitely do not want to be among the group asking, “What happened?”

AOCA also will be working closely with NORA – Association of Responsible Recyclers, particularly on publicizing September 30, 2010 as National Oil Recycling Day (put that on your calendar right now). We have overlapping interests with both AAIA/Car Care Council (put April and October on your calendar as national car care months, too) and Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association/Motorist Assurance Program, among other automotive related groups. We will be working closely with these and other organizations to ensure that members are apprised of all regulatory and legislative issues coming down the pike that affect our businesses both in the United States and Canada.

AOCA has enhanced its relationship with its associate members this year, and we now have two dynamic associate members who are full voting members on the board of directors: Jeff Pauly of Sound Billing and Dave Prange of QMI. Jeff was also elected vice president of the association — the first ever associate member to be an officer. The synergy between these two “lightning bolts” has resulted in a shockwave that all vendors need to know about and join. They have terrific ideas on generating new business among vendors while growing the association. They are making it happen — and you definitely need to jump on this train!

AOCA is dedicated to finding new and innovative ways for our members to position themselves in their communities as the experts in our industry. We intend to continue to provide PR materials that can be used to feature your industry knowledge and expertise about everything from oil recycling to how to properly install a child safety seat.

There’s another saying: If you aren’t with us, you’re against us. I can’t believe that anyone who owns, operates, manages or supplies a quick lube wouldn’t want to be “with us.” You’ve invested in your business; please invest in your industry. AOCA makes things happen. Let’s have one loud and clear, consistent voice beating that drum over and over — we are the experts, we are the experts, we are the experts…

PAT WIRTH is operator of Potomac Falls Express Lube & Car Wash in Potomac Falls, Virginia, and president of the Automotive Oil Change Association’s board of directors. For more information about becoming an AOCA member, call 800-331-0329 or visit: www.aoca.org