Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) announced the officers for its 2013 board of directors. Gregory Settle, manager-operations learning and performance, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, Montvale, N.J., is chairman; Dave Camden, vice president, dealer operations, Toyota Motor Sales, Torrance, Calif., is vice-chairman; Dan Vespertino, director iof service operations, Subaru of America, Inc., Cherry Hill, N.J., serves as treasurer and Charles Klasman, program manager, BMW STEP, BMW Group University, serves as secretary. Mike Durkin, director, dealer service and warranty operations, GM Customer Care & Aftersales, Warren, Mich., will be past chairman.
“AYES underwent a significant evolution over the past year under the guidance of our dedicated officers and board of directors,” said Trish Serratore, AYES president and CEO. “Through their involvement and support, AYES will continue to deliver the caliber of student and entry-level technician that the service industry needs to ensure our continued success. AYES is well-positioned for the future and will continue to expand its reach across the entire automotive service industry.”
New directors joining the AYES board include Rich Diver, dealer principal of Diver Chevrolet in Wilmington, Del.; Troy Fee, senior vice president of human resources for Pep Boys, Philadelphia, Pa.; Eddie Cox, service manager at Norman Frede Chevrolet in Houston, Texas; Doug Greenhaus, chief regulatory counsel, environment, health and safety at the National Automobile Dealers Association in McLean, Va., and Jim Norton, dealer principal of Jim Norton Toyota in Tulsa, Okla.
“We also want to thank outgoing board members Frank Ursomarso, chairman of Union Park Auto Group in Wilmington, Del.; Steve Germain, president and CEO, Germain Motor Company in Columbus, Ohio, and Monty Roberts, personnel recruiting and retention manager, BMW of North America, for their service and contribution to AYES,” Serratore concluded.
AYES is a school-to-career process for high school automotive technology students. Its goal is to encourage quality students with a good mechanical aptitude to pursue careers in the field of automotive technology and prepare them for entry-level positions. AYES is supported with contributions from automotive manufacturers, distributors and suppliers, automotive service providers including dealers (OE) and aftermarket service retailers, industry trade/industry associations and state departments of education and labor. For more information, visit www.ayes.org.
