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Appointments to California Automotive Repair Advisory Committee

31 December 1998

California DCA: Eight Members Appointed to New California Automotive Repair Advisory Committee

        Committee 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