AASP/NJ Annual Meeting: A Night of Cheers, Camaraderie and Comedy
by Alana Quartuccio
It was a great night of cheers, camaraderie and comedy!
AASP/NJ’s Annual Meeting brought collision repair and automotive professionals from all over the Garden State to the Gran Centurions (Clark) last month to celebrate achievements, elect new Board of Directors members and double over in laughter courtesy of legendary comedian, Rich Vos.
Thanking the audience for attending a night of social interaction, AASP/NJ President Ken Miller encouraged all to support the association’s Collision Repair Consumer Protection Initiative (CRCPI) in the hopes of bringing upon positive change, and he informed them of new member benefits designed to bring savings their way.
Nick Barbera (Union Collision; Union), Todd Fontana (Proline Body & Chassis; Elmwood Park) and Dean Massimini (Autotech Collision Service; Sewell) were elected to their first three-year (2024-2027) term on the AASP/NJ Board of Directors. Board Treasurer Tom Elder highlighted how each new member’s different business model will be a positive addition to an already diverse Board.
“The Board is made up of some who have small shops and some with very large shops. We have MSOs and those who do mechanical repairs as well as body repairs and calibrations. The more rounded our Board is, the better off our association will be.”
Miller agreed. “These guys will broaden what we have currently in our association. They bring a totally different perspective, and it’s unique from any other shop that we have [on our Board]. I’m looking forward to working with them.”
At every Annual Meeting,
AASP/NJ presents the Russ Robson Scholarship – named in memory of the former president known for his dedication to training – to a promising automotive worker employed by a member shop in good standing. This year was no different, except the 2024 award was given to two aspiring young professionals: Brayan Colomer (K&L Auto Body; Somerville)
and Erick Garcia (Krehel Automotive Repair; Clifton).
“Russ was a past president of the association who was taken from us way too soon at an early age of 51,” relayed Jeff McDowell, Board member and past president. “We miss him dearly, and we honor him by giving these awards every year.”
Daniel Brandt, Jr., owner of DJ’s Restoration (Ewing) was presented with the 2024 Stan Wilson/New Jersey Automotive Shop of the Year award. This annual award is named in memory of an AASP/NJ member who was known for his dedication to the association.
Immediate Past President and current Collision Chairman Jerry McNee (Ultimate Collision & Repair; Edison) was inducted into the
AASP/NJ Hall of Fame.
“I worked as a Board member under Jerry, and no one has more passion about this industry than he does,” shared Miller, who accepted the award on McNee’s behalf. “He’s out there helping members all the time. I have a hard time getting him on the phone because he’s always helping somebody. I also work with him nationally, doing things to represent our state. He served as president of AASP/NJ for six years and as board member for I don’t know how many years. It’s an honor for me to give this award to Jerry.”
Following the presentations and dinner, attendees enjoyed comedic performances by newcomer Danny Braff followed by the legendary HBO, Netflix and Last Comic Standing comedy star Rich Vos, who had the audience roaring in laughter throughout the entire 75-minute set.
Stay tuned for more coverage of the Annual Meeting in upcoming issues of New Jersey Automotive, available at grecopublishing.com.
For more information on AASP/NJ, please visit aaspnj.org.
Want more? Check out the November 2024 issue of New Jersey Automotive!