AASP/NJ Presents Russ Robson Scholarship to Cole Daly of Auto Tech Collision

11.13.23 – There was so much to celebrate at the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey’s (AASP/NJ) Annual Meeting last month, with one of the highlights being the presentation of the 2023 Russ Robson Scholarship Award to talented young painter Cole Daly of Auto Tech Collision (Sewell, NJ).

AASP/NJ presents this scholarship award annually to a promising individual employed by a member shop in good standing. It’s done in memory of Robson, the former president who was well known throughout the industry for his dedication and training of others and for being an instrumental part of transitioning the Garden State Automotive Federation into AASP/NJ.

Dean Massimini, owner of Auto Tech Collision, speaks highly of Daly’s commitment to his craft and for really stepping up in his role since he came on board from Pennco Tech a little more than a year ago. Massimini feels lucky to have a number of promising young workers on staff, but when it came time to nominate someone for the scholarship, he held a vote, and Daly was chosen.

When Daly first came to Auto Tech Collision, Massimini didn’t have much need for someone in his paint department, so he went to the body shop to do assembly and disassembly. Knowing that Daly’s interest mainly lies in painting, Massimini approached him when the need for someone to work in the paint department arose.

“He really stepped up for me,” Massimini praised. “He started in the paint shop this past February. I’ve sent him to training, and he’s gone willingly. He and another worker are in the paint department, and they are doing a great job. Cole is a great painter, a good kid with a great attitude. He listens, and he wants to learn; he exemplifies all the things that someone in my position would want in an employee.”

“It was awesome,” Daly reflected about receiving the award at the Annual Meeting. “It was a great night, and we all enjoyed ourselves. It was a great honor for me.”

His interest in painting and the profession came from his education at Pennco Tech.

Stay tuned for more coverage on AASP/NJ’s Annual Meeting in upcoming issues of New Jersey Automotive, available at grecopublishing.com.

For more information on AASP/NJ, please visit aaspnj.org.