Tony Molla is the vice president of communications for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) in Leesburg, VA. With over 35 years of experience in the automotive service industry, Tony has held positions at all levels including Technician, Service Manager, Parts Store Manager, New Car Sales, and Automotive Technical Editor who writes service manuals for Chilton Book Company. He is the author of more than a dozen car care and technical manuals. Before joining ASE in January 2000, Tony spent nine years as Editorial Director of Motor Age magazine and Automotive Body Repair News (ABRN).

ASK PATTY: Can you tell us a bit about your work and position at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)?

Tony: I am responsible for all corporate, external and internal communications for ASE. This includes things like press releases, industry presentations, trade shows, and the content on our website. I also manage our consumer outreach efforts, which include free articles that are sent to consumer publications such as newspapers and magazines across the country. I also manage our outreach programs involving our sponsorships in various areas. The biggest is our involvement in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where we sponsor Ted Musgrave’s No. 9 ASE/Germain Racing Toyota Tundra team. We also have smaller sponsorships with the Aeroshell aerobatic team, with a presence at air shows across the country, and sponsorships of three professional bull riders in the PBR series. We also have a grassroots racing program called Team ASE that involves our ASE certified professionals racing their own vehicles. I’m also the editor of ASE Tech News, our corporate publication reaching over 500,000 subscribers, mostly ASE certified professionals and contributors to our industry.

ASK PATTY: What does it mean to be ASE certified?

Tony: The ASE certification works like any other professional certification. Auto and truck professionals must take and pass an industry-developed competency test in one or more areas of specialization to become certified. There are eight tests in the automatic series, for example. If an individual passes all the tests in a series, he attains Master Technician status. Being ASE certified means that he has demonstrated the knowledge necessary to be competent at a given task, in addition to having at least two years of hands-on repair experience. ASE also certifies parts professionals, service consultants, machinists, alternative fuel technicians, transit bus technicians, truck and collision technicians. It’s important to note that ASE certification is a voluntary program, so those who have earned it have also demonstrated pride and professionalism that goes beyond the norm. These are the people you want to work on your car.

ASK PATTY: Why are you promoting auto careers for women? Are more women needed in the automotive sector?

Tony: ASE has continually promoted the value of an automotive career for both men and women, but the demand for women in particular has increased in recent years. This increase in demand has several reasons, one of which is the growing shortage of available qualified technical people, but women have been shown to be particularly effective in the role of service consultants. As more and more women take on the role of primary caregiver in the family car, it becomes more important to improve the communication process at the service desk, and female service consultants have been shown to be very effective in that role. It is also important to note that traditionally, women have also made up about one percent of the technical workforce. In fact, there are some stores that are staffed exclusively by women.

ASK PATTY: Can you tell us about your public speaking program in schools? How are you educating and inspiring young women to consider a career in the automotive industry?
Tony: I participate as a speaker at various Career Day events around the country each year. It’s really more a matter of being invited back than a formal ASE show. With that said, I consider my time in front of youth to be one of the most important jobs I do. I speak to children from elementary school to high school and always strive to highlight the opportunities for women within the industry. Some of the best automotive diagnosticians I have met have been women, and the opportunities for a woman with a good technical background in the automotive industry are outstanding. These presentations that I mention also use some brochures that ASE has developed that describe some of the opportunities within the industry for male and female candidates.

ASK PATTY: Are women aware of the opportunities available to them in the automotive industry?
Tony: Actually, I am continually amazed at how many women and men are aware of the vast number of opportunities available. We in the industry work hard to keep guidance counselors and parents alike informed about what a great career choice it can be, but it’s clear we still have work to do to spread the message more widely.

ASK PATTY: What other types of jobs are available in the auto industry other than service jobs or mechanics?
Tony: The possibilities are almost limitless. What I find interesting is how a technical background can open doors down the road in ways most don’t even imagine. I started out as an auto technician myself and worked part time while going to college. Once I graduated, I found that the earning potential was much better in the service field. In fact, it was largely my technical background, along with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, that led me to my current position. Along the way, I held positions writing service manuals and as editorial director for two national trade magazines for auto and collision shops. But I am just an example. There are opportunities in the automotive industry in sales, marketing, engineering, design, manufacturing, human resources, advertising, the list goes on and on. If you think about it, the automotive industry is much more than just selling and repairing cars.

ASK PATTY: What are some resources for women interested in starting a career in the automotive industry?

Tony: Perhaps the best resource is your local technical training program, whether it’s at the high school or college level. Getting involved in the automotive program can provide a deeper insight into the possibilities. There are also several initiatives within the automotive industry to recruit young people into the business. You can get more information by contacting the Aftermarket University, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, or some of the dedicated technical colleges like Universal Technical Institute or Wyo Tech, just to name a few. You can also contact us here at ASE with any questions. We will be happy to help in any way we can.

Thanks for the great interview Tony!