Randall J. Lopez 
Tony Molla is the Vice President of Communications for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) in Leesburg, VA. With over 35 years experience inside the car carrier enterprise, Tony has held positions in any respect stages, together with a technician, carrier manager, parts store supervisor, new car income and automotive technical editor writing carrier manuals for the Chilton Book Company. He has authored greater than a dozen technical and car care manuals. Prior to becoming a member of ASE in January 2000, Tony spent nine years as the Editorial Director of Motor Age mag and Automotive Body Repair News (ABRN).
ASK PATTY: Can you inform us a little bit approximately your job and your role at The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)?
Tony: I am accountable for all Corporate, outside and internal communications at ASE. This includes things like press releases, industry shows, change suggests and our website content. I also control our Consumer Outreach efforts, which consist of loose articles despatched out to patron publications like newspapers and magazines across u . S. A .. I additionally control our outreach programs which contain our sponsorships in numerous regions. The biggest is our participation in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, in which we sponsor Ted Musgrave’s No. 9 Team ASE/Germain Racing Toyota Tundra. We also have smaller sponsorships with the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, with a presence at air suggests throughout us of a, and a sponsorship of three Professional Bull Riders within the PBR Series. We actually have a grassroots racing software referred to as Team ASE which involves our ASE licensed specialists who race their personal cars. I am also the publisher of the ASE Tech News, our Corporate guide which is going to over 500,000 subscribers consisting usually of ASE certified experts and our enterprise supporters.
ASK PATTY: What does it imply to be ASE certified?
Tony: ASE Certification works like some other professional certification. Auto and truck specialists need to take and bypass an industry-developed competency take a look at in one or greater regions of understanding to emerge as licensed. There are 8 tests in the vehicle collection, as an instance. If a character passes all exams in a chain, they attain Master Technician fame. Being ASE licensed means you have tested the understanding vital to be talented at a given project, plus have at least years of hands-on restore experience. ASE additionally certifies components professionals, provider consultants, machinists, alternate fuels technicians, transit bus technicians, truck and collision technicians. It’s important to word that ASE certification is a voluntary program, so the people who’ve accomplished it have additionally proven a pride and professionalism that goes above and beyond the norm. These are the people you want running to your car.
ASK PATTY: Why are you selling car careers to women? Are greater women wished in the automotive discipline?
Tony: ASE has continuously promoted the value of an automobile career to each woman and men, however the call for ladies specifically has risen in current years. This upward thrust in the call for has numerous reasons, not the least of that is the growing shortfall in certified technical people to be had, but girls had been tested to be especially powerful inside the position of provider consultant. As an increasing number of girls expect the position of number one caretaker of the circle of relatives automobile, it’s becoming greater essential to improve the communications process on the service table–and it is been shown that female carrier consultants are very effective in that function. It’s additionally vital to observe that historically, ladies have made up approximately one percent of the technician group of workers as well. In truth, there are a few stores accessible which might be completely staffed by way of ladies.
Tony: I take part as a speaker in several Career Day events around u. S. A. Every 12 months. It’s certainly more a question of being invited again instead of a proper software by ASE. That said, I keep in mind my time in the front of younger human beings a number of the maximum crucial work I do. I talk with youngsters from the elementary to the high school stage and constantly make it a point to highlight the opportunities for women inside the enterprise. Some of the best car diagnosticians I’ve met had been women, and the opportunities for a woman with a very good technical background within the car industry is incredible. These presentations I mention also use some brochures ASE has evolved which define a number of the opportunities in the enterprise for both male and woman applicants.
ASK PATTY: Are women privy to the possibilities to be had to them in the automobile industry?
Tony: Actually, I’m continuously amazed at just how few ladies and men are aware of the wealth of opportunities available. We in the industry paintings difficult to keep each Guidance Counselors and mother and father informed of what a great career desire it could be, however, it’s clear we have a few works but to do to get the message out more widely.
ASK PATTY: What different types of jobs are to be had in the car that isn’t service or mechanic’s jobs?
Tony: The possibilities are nearly limitless. What I locate exciting is how a technical heritage can open doorways down the road in approaches maximum by no means even believe. I myself commenced out as a vehicle technician and worked part-time at the same time as I went to university. Once I graduated, I discovered the earning potential lots better in the provider bay. In reality, it becomes largely my technical historical past, along with a degree in Journalism, that led to my cutting-edge role. Along the manner, I’ve held positions writing service manuals and as Editorial Director of national change magazines for automobile and collision shops. But I’m simply one example. There are opportunities inside the automotive enterprise in income, advertising, engineering, layout, production, human assets, advertising, the list goes on and on. If you consider it, the automotive enterprise is lots more than just promoting and fixing automobiles.
ASK PATTY: What are a few assets to ladies who’re interested in beginning a profession inside the car industry?
Tony: Perhaps the best useful resource is your neighborhood Technical Training software at both high faculty or junior college degree. Getting involved with the car program can offer a deeper insight into the opportunities. There also are several initiatives in the car enterprise to recruit younger humans into the commercial enterprise. You can discover more by using contacting the University of the Aftermarket, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, or some of the devoted technical faculties like Universal Technical Institute or Wyo Tech, simply to name some. You can also touch us right here at ASE with any questions. We’ll be satisfied to help in any manner we can.
