Comedian Jim Florentine
10.27.25 – The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) had much to celebrate during its Annual Meeting last week! With many achievements under their belt, including another record-breaking NORTHEAST® Automotive Services Show and the growth of its mechanical division, the AASP/NJ community packed the Gran Centurions (Clark, NJ) to enjoy a night of recognition, celebration and cheer.
Before diving into the awards and recognitions, the annual Board of Director elections were conducted. AASP/NJ President Ken Miller (821 Collision; North Haledon, NJ), Collision Chairman/Past President Attending Jerry McNee (Ultimate Collision and Repair; Edison, NJ) and Mechanical Chairman Keith Krehel (Krehel Automotive; Clifton, NJ) were all re-elected to two-year terms. Board members Tom Elder (Compact Kars; Clarksburg, NJ), Mike Kaufmann (Mike Kaufmann Dealer Group; Wayne, NJ), Thomas Greco (Greco Publishing; Nutley, NJ) and Danielle Molina (821 Collision; North Haledon, NJ) were re-elected to three-year terms.
Matheus Rompava, a student at Thomas Edison Career and Technical Academy (Elizabeth, NJ), was recognized as the 2025 Russ Robson Scholarship Award winner. Named in honor of the past president and vocational school teacher who was passionate about encouraging young people to pursue a career in collision repair, the award is given annually to a young up-and-coming student or member shop employee.
Skillender Service Center (Howell, NJ) was presented with the 2025 Mechanical Shop of the Year Award. The 2025 Stan Wilson/New Jersey Automotive Body Shop of the Year Award was presented to Peotter’s Auto Body (Summit, NJ).
AASP/NJ Board member Ted Rainer (Ocean Bay Auto Body; Point Pleasant, NJ) was honored as the 2025 AASP/NJ Hall of Fame inductee.
In honor of his upcoming retirement, special recognition was given to Jeff McDowell (Leslie’s Auto Body; Fords, NJ) who has served 40-plus years on the Board, eight as president.
Following the presentations, Emmy Award-winning comedians Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson, both of VH1’s “That Metal Show” fame and other television, radio and podcasts had audience members roaring with laughter for the remainder of the event.
Be sure to look for full coverage of the Annual Meeting in the November issue of New Jersey Automotive, available at grecopublishing.com. For more information on AASP/NJ, visit aaspnj.org.
