Appointments to California Automotive Repair Advisory Committee
31 December 1998
California DCA: Eight Members Appointed to New California Automotive Repair Advisory CommitteeCommittee to Develop Strategy for Improving Auto Repair Market SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 31 -- Eight people have been appointed today to what will be a 13-member California Automotive Repair Advisory Committee that will identify ways to improve California's auto repair market. State and Consumer Services Agency Secretary Anne E. Sheehan made the appointments at the direction of Governor Pete Wilson. The 13-member committee was created by an Executive Order issued yesterday by Governor Pete Wilson (W-188-98). Its mission is to coordinate public and private resources to improve automotive technician competency and to revitalize automotive technician training. Its members will consist of representatives of the automotive repair industry, education, public and private consumer protection organizations, and employment specialists. The chief of the Bureau of Automotive Repair will chair the committee's meetings, but will not be a voting member of the committee. "This committee is a logical step after this past Labor Day's industry conference," said Secretary Sheehan. "The conference, which was facilitated by the Bureau of Automotive Repair, identified a number of issues in the automotive repair market that urgently need addressing." "Automotive Repair Leadership 2000: Strategies for Success" was held September 2-4 in Anaheim and involved some 140 industry professionals. The key challenges they identified were (1) educating and training automotive technicians, (2) recruiting men and women into the profession, and (3) enhancing the image of the automotive repair industry. "It's critical that we address these issues now, so that we don't see a worsening shortage of automotive repair technicians," said BAR chief Marty Keller. "As vehicles become more complex and high-tech, the need for both technician training and technician recruitment becomes more compelling." Members of the committee will also try to identify how California auto repair consumers can be better protected. The California Automotive Repair Advisory Committee will report to the Governor every year, and will remain in existence through the year 2000. A list of the eight people appointed is attached. California Automotive Repair Advisory Committee Appointments ASE Master Technician Don Seene Seene's Automotive San Diego Independent Automotive Repair Shop Owner Lynne Cardwell Car Care Center Sacramento Dealer John Ball American Honda Motor Company Torrance Private Educational Institution Wayne Olson North American Council of Automotive Teachers Huntington Beach Automotive Repair Trade Org. Representative Dennis DeCota California Service Station & Automotive Repair Assn. Novato Auto Repair Services Mass Merchandiser Johan Gallo Automotive Repair Coalition Sacramento Teacher Lane Hart Sequoia Institute Fremont Community College Rick Escalambre Skyline College - Dept. of Automotive Technology San Bruno