AAIA Honors Jack Heyler

LAS VEGAS, NV - October 28, 2001 - Jack Heyler, today received the prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award from the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association during AAPEX. Heyler, a longtime industry activist and consultant to the Automotive Service Council of California, received the award and a special framed proclamation from Mort Schwartz, chairman of Jarmms Associates and secretary of the AAIA board of directors, during a special ceremony at the AAIA Chairman's Reception at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.

"Jack Heyler was instrumental in the independent aftermarket campaign both in Congress and in California to ensure full access to vehicle on-board diagnostic II (OBD II) sytems and to all service information and tools necessary to use those systems to make emissions related repairs," said Mort Schwartz.

Following the sale of his repair shop in Los Angeles in 1983, Heyler became an active voice against efforts by government to reduce competition in the vehicle repair market through state and federally mandated 10 year/100,000 mile emissions warranties. He also has become a widely respected expert to government and industry on vehicle diagnostics and a strong proponent for increased technician professionalism.

"The aftermarket clearly owes a huge debt to Jack for his foresight in seeing the positive and negative impacts that new vehicle technology would have on the repair aftermarket; and for his determination and tireless energy to lead the industry efforts necessary to address these impacts," said Schwartz.

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) is a Bethesda, Md.-based association whose member companies manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, tools, equipment, materials and supplies. The organization is comprised of manufacturers, distributors, jobbers, wholesalers, retailers, manufacturer's representatives and other companies doing business in the automotive aftermarket. AAIA formerly served the automotive aftermarket as ASIA and APAA.