June 29, 2018—The Automotive Service Association (ASA) announced that ASA president and executive director Dan Risley will be resigning effective July 13.
Risley has accepted a position with CCC Information Services Inc. in his home state of Illinois. For the past five years, Risley was working remotely between his Chicago-area home and the North Texas area where ASA is based.
To ensure a smooth transition for the association, he will stay on in a consultant capacity until a new association leader is named.
ASA chairman of the board Roy Schnepper, AAM, announced Risley’s resignation to the board last week. During the transition, Risley has named Beth Risch, its current CPA, as interim chief operating officer. Risch will oversee day-to-day operations and report directly to the ASA board of directors beginning July 2.
“I want to sincerely thank Dan for his strong leadership during a crucial time in the history of the association,” says Schnepper. “His natural leadership talents, his financial prowess and inexhaustible energy led him to govern ASA with success and achievement. I know the entire board joins me in thanking him for his service and commitment to ASA.”
As president, Risley’s navigated ASA through an era of great change and transition. Among his accomplishments include:
- Implementing sound financial practices and processes after the association endured employee fraud
- Adding three new affiliates to the association
- Expanding and growing the popular MSO Symposium
- Founded the Advanced Technology Diagnostic Repair Forum, now rebranded the Technology & Telematics Forum
- Implemented a Corporate Sponsorship Program, which is a strong revenue stream
- Partnering with Messe Frankfurt to combine Automechanika with NACE for NACE Automechanika
“ASA has served the industry for more than 60 years, and I’m proud to say I was part of its rich history and success,” Risley says. “I look forward to staying engaged in ASA and contributing to its mission of serving its members. My family has always been my top priority so it will be nice to be back in my home base of Chicago for the long term.”
Over the next few months, ASA will be conducting a search to find a new executive director, seeking an individual with association management experience.
“During this period of transition, it is our priority to find the best individual to lead while still maintaining a stable and effective organization,” says Schnepper. “Associations are undergoing enormous challenges due to generational shifts, social changes and technology. It’s crucial that we find the right leader who can address some of those challenges and give us a clear vision for our future.”
The association will be sharing a job announcement soon.
