| Tony Molla is the Vice President of Communications | | | | communications process at the service desk--and it's |
| for the National Institute for Automotive Service | | | | been shown that female service consultants are very |
| Excellence (ASE) in Leesburg, VA. With over 35 years | | | | effective in that role. It's also important to note that |
| experience in the automotive service industry, Tony | | | | traditionally, women have made up about one percent |
| has held positions at all levels, including technician, | | | | of the technician workforce as well. In fact, there are a |
| service manager, parts store manager, new car sales | | | | few shops out there that are exclusively staffed by |
| and automotive technical editor writing service manuals | | | | women. |
| for the Chilton Book Company. He has authored more | | | | ASK PATTY: Can you tell us about your speaking |
| than a dozen technical and car care manuals. Prior to | | | | program at schools? How are you educating and |
| joining ASE in January, 2000, Tony spent nine years as | | | | inspiring young women to consider a career in |
| the Editorial Director of Motor Age magazine and | | | | automotive? |
| Automotive Body Repair News (ABRN). | | | | Tony: I participate as a speaker in several Career Day |
| ASK PATTY: Can you tell us a little bit about your job | | | | events around the country each year. It's really more a |
| and your position at The National Institute for | | | | question of being invited back rather than a formal |
| Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)? | | | | program by ASE. That said, I consider my time in front |
| Tony: I am responsible for all Corporate, external and | | | | of young people some of the most important work I |
| internal communications at ASE. This includes things | | | | do. I speak with kids from the elementary to the high |
| like press releases, industry presentations, trade shows | | | | school level and always make it a point to spotlight the |
| and our website content. I also manage our Consumer | | | | opportunities for women within the industry. Some of |
| Outreach efforts, which include free articles sent out to | | | | the best automotive diagnosticians I've met have been |
| consumer publications like newspapers and magazines | | | | women, and the opportunities for a woman with a |
| across the country. I also manage our outreach | | | | good technical background in the automotive industry is |
| programs which involve our sponsorships in several | | | | outstanding. These presentations I mention also use |
| areas. The largest is our participation in the NASCAR | | | | some brochures ASE has developed which outline |
| Craftsman Truck Series, where we sponsor Ted | | | | some of the opporutnities within the industry for both |
| Musgrave's No. 9 Team ASE/Germain Racing Toyota | | | | male and female candidates. |
| Tundra. We also have smaller sponsorships with the | | | | ASK PATTY: Are women aware of the opportunities |
| Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, with a presence at air | | | | available to them in the automotive industry? |
| shows across the country, and a sponsorship of three | | | | Tony: Actually, I'm continuously surprised at just how |
| Professional Bull Riders in the PBR Series. We also | | | | few women and men are aware of the wealth of |
| have a grassroots racing program called Team ASE | | | | opportunities available. We in the industry work hard to |
| which involves our ASE certified professionals who | | | | keep both Guidance Counselors and parents informed |
| race their own vehicles. I am also the publisher of the | | | | of what a great career choice it can be, but it's clear |
| ASE Tech News, our Corporate publication which | | | | we have some work yet to do to get the message |
| goes to over 500,000 subscribers consisting mostly of | | | | out more widely. |
| ASE certified professionals and our industry | | | | ASK PATTY: What other types of jobs are available |
| supporters. | | | | in automotive that aren't service or mechanic's jobs? |
| ASK PATTY: What does it mean to be ASE | | | | Tony: The possibilities are almost limitless. What I find |
| certified? | | | | interesting is how a technical background can open |
| Tony: ASE Certification works like any other | | | | doors down the road in ways most never even |
| professional certification. Auto and truck professionals | | | | imagine. I myself started out as an auto technician and |
| must take and pass an industry-developed | | | | worked part time while I went to college. Once I |
| competency test in one or more areas of expertise to | | | | graduated, I found the earning potential much better in |
| become certified. There are eight tests in the auto | | | | the service bay. In fact, it was largely my technical |
| series, for example. If an individual passes all tests in a | | | | background, along with a degree in Journalism, that led |
| series, they achieve Master Technician status. Being | | | | to my current position. Along the way, I've held |
| ASE certified means you have demonstrated the | | | | positions writing service manuals and as Editorial |
| knowledge necessary to be proficient at a given task, | | | | Director of two national trade magazines for auto and |
| plus have at least two years of hands-on repair | | | | collision shops. But I'm just one example. There are |
| experience. ASE also certifies parts professionals, | | | | opportunities in the automotive industry in sales, |
| service consultants, machinists, alternate fuels | | | | marketing, engineering, design, manufacturing, human |
| technicians, transit bus technicians, truck and collision | | | | resources, advertising, the list goes on and on. If you |
| technicians. It's important to note that ASE certification | | | | think about it, the automotive industry is a lot more than |
| is a voluntary program, so the individuals who have | | | | just selling and fixing cars. |
| achieved it have also demonstrated a pride and | | | | ASK PATTY: What are some resources to women |
| professionalism that goes above and beyond the | | | | who are interested in starting a career in the |
| norm. These are the individuals you want working on | | | | automotive industry? |
| your car. | | | | Tony: Perhaps the best resource is your local |
| ASK PATTY: Why are you promoting automotive | | | | Technical Training program at either high school or |
| careers to women? Are more women needed in the | | | | junior college level. Getting involved in the automotive |
| automotive field? | | | | program can provide a deeper insight into the |
| Tony: ASE has continuously promoted the value of an | | | | possibilities. There are also several initiatives within the |
| automotive career to both men and women, but the | | | | automotive industry to recruit young people into the |
| demand for women in particular has risen in recent | | | | business. You can find out more by contacting the |
| years. This rise in demand has several reasons, not | | | | University of the Aftermarket, the Automotive |
| the least of which is the growing shortfall in qualified | | | | Aftermarket Industry Association, or some of the |
| technical individuals available, but women have been | | | | dedicated technical colleges like Universal Technical |
| proven to be particularly effective in the role of service | | | | Institute or Wyo Tech, just to name a few. You can |
| consultant. As more and more women assume the | | | | also contact us here at ASE with any questions. We'll |
| role of primary caretaker of the family automobile, it's | | | | be happy to help in any way we can. |
| becoming more important to improve the | | | | Thank you for the great interview Tony! |