Denise Caspersen, research management specialist for the Automotive Service Association (ASA) since 1997, has been named manager of ASA's Collision Division. 

The division manager works directly with the elected division director and is responsible for the communication and activities of the operations committee. Caspersen will coordinate various projects as directed by the committee, and also develop and maintain relationships with other industry groups to strengthen the association and its role in the collision repair industry.

"Speaking on behalf of the operations committee, we're enthusiastic and optimistic about Denise's promotion," said Darrell Amberson, AAM, ASA's collision division director. "She steps into this position with a great deal of expertise and understanding of our industry."

Caspersen has nine years of experience in the automotive service and repair sector conducting market analysis of various industry segments, formulating proprietary industry studies and supplying fact-based research on behalf of ASA. She also managed ASA's online Information Center containing an archive of industry information to aid automotive business professionals.

"I am looking forward to working with the highly professional and dedicated members of ASA's Collision Division Operations Committee and participating in actions that advance the collision industry, the association and ASA members," said Caspersen.

Caspersen holds two degrees from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater - a master of science degree in mass communications and a bachelor of science degree in zoology.

She can be reached at ASA's national headquarters in Bedford, Texas at (800) 272-7467, ext. 236, or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Enhanced shop locator

ASA recently launched an enhanced shop locator on www.asashop.org, enabling consumers to find an ASA member shop within their local community. The new locator uses sophisticated mapping technology, allowing motorists to access maps and driving directions to individual ASA member shops across North America.

Motorists can search for an ASA business within a 20-mile radius of their location, vastly improving the search capabilities of ASA's previous shop locator. In addition to maps and driving directions, some ASA members have opted to include their shop's hours of operation, services and specialty, accepted method of payment and business affiliations with their listing. Consumers can also schedule an appointment online with selected shops through the new shop locator.

"More and more consumers are turning to the web to find a reliable repair facility in their area. With more than 1.5 million visitors a year, the ASA web site has become an integral resource for finding a repair facility anywhere in North America," said Colby Horton, ASA s manager of web operations.

"The integration of new mapping technology, as well as the advanced searching capabilities and overall improvements to the shop locator, help drive consumers to an ASA member business. ASA is committed to marketing our members to the motoring public.

The new shop locator is just another entity to make that commitment happen."