2010 News
2009 PPG/ASE Master Refinish Technician of the Year - James Erdahl
STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – January 7, 2010 – James Erdahl received the PPG/ASE Master Refinish Technician of the Year Award at the ASE’s annual Board of Directors Industry Awards Dinner held in New Orleans, LA, on November 19, 2009. The presentation to Erdahl was made by Bill Troyer, PPG Automotive Refinish, manager of training. The award is an annual tribute to the PPG collision center technician receiving the highest score on the ASE Painting and Refinish test.
“We are very pleased to present this award to Mr. Erdahl,” said Troyer. “The ASE test is taken by thousands of technicians nationally every year. The award recognizes the best in their field and is an outstanding accomplishment. Mr. Erdahl has earned this prestigious recognition.”
Erdahl has been a refinish technician for 27 years. He is employed by the North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton, ND, where he has been an associate professor for 12 years and is currently the chairman of the Auto Body Department. Erdahl holds PPG Master Paint Certification, is an ASE Master Collision/Refinish Technician and has been an NDSCS Faculty Senate President and a North Dakota Auto Body Association Regional Representative. He earned his associate of applied science degree from NDSCS and a bachelor of science degree in career and technical education at Valley City (North Dakota) State University.
“I am very proud of the things I have accomplished as both a technician and a teacher,” said Erdahl. “Our school has been NATEF (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation)-certified and is currently in the process of recertification, which gives our students a huge advantage in today’s job market. ASE does an excellent job of training and testing industry technicians, helping them succeed in the ever-changing transportation industry. ASE is dedicated to maintaining quality repairs throughout the industry.”
PPG and ASE both offer technician certification as well as a broad range of training courses options for collision center personnel. For more information on PPG training and business development courses, call 800/647-6050 or visit the PPG Automotive Refinish website at www.ppgrefinish.com. For more information on ASE programs, go to www.ase.com.
about ppg
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass. The company has more than 140 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates and operates in more than 60 countries. Sales in 2008 were $15.8 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.
about ase
Incorporated on June 12, 1972, the National Institute for Automotive Excellence was established as a non-profit organization to help improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians and parts specialists. Today, there are approximately 400,000 ASE-certified professionals at work in dealerships, independent shops, service stations, collision repair shops, auto parts stores, fleets, machine shops, schools and colleges throughout the country. For more information about ASE, visit the Web site at www.ase.com.