The ASE Education Foundation hosts an Instructor Conference each year over the summer to provide training and other benefits to CTE instructors from across the nation. This year’s event hosted more than 350 representatives of ASE Accredited secondary and post-secondary auto, truck and collision programs. Those in attendance heard presentations from speakers offering advice on improving their instructional skills, along with technical training sessions provided by sponsors and top industry trainers who donated their time to ensure the instructors were able to meet and exceed the 40-hour training requirement for accreditation. It’s just one of the ways the ASE Education Foundation supports CTE training programs and the instructors who are so important to preparing the technicians and other automotive professionals our industry needs now and for the future.

If you were not able to make it to Charlotte this year, the Team ASE podcast was there and in upcoming podcasts we’ll be featuring interviews with some of the presenters, speakers, instructors and celebrities who shared their knowledge, insight and inspiration with everyone. We’ll start with an interview with ASE’s incoming CEO and VP of Industry Relations. As you may have heard, Tim Zilke, ASE’s current CEO has announced his retirement, along with Trish Serratore, ASE’s Senior Vice President. Both are retiring at the end of the year. After an extensive talent search, the ASE Board selected Dave Johnson to succeed Tim as President & CEO. Donna Wagner joins Dave as Trish’s successor. We sat down with Dave and Donna and in this episode, you’ll have the opportunity to meet them and learn a little about what’s next at ASE. 

Hear all about it as we talk about:

·         Dave’s background and history in the automotive industry.

·         His experience as an executive at Ford Motor Company

·         How Donna Wagner began her automotive career, saying the industry found her

·         Her experience as a professor at Northwood University

·         Dave’s role in the introduction of the aluminum F-150 pickup truck

·         How both Dave and Donna have a technician connection

·         Dave’s vision for the future direction of the industry in electrification and what it means for ASE

·         ASE’s unique role within the automotive industry

·         The challenges facing our industry in finding the technical talent we need and helping consumers connect with quality automotive service.

·         The importance of celebrating and recognizing those individuals who work behind the scenes

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com