Bedford, Texas, Nov. 15, 2004 - The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) honored its 12th class of Accredited Automotive Managers (AAMs) on Nov. 5, 2004. The graduating class of 2004 had 206 automotive service professionals w ho earned the prestigious AAM designation by successfully completing AMI courses and accumulating a minimum of 120 credits. This group was 50 percent larger than any previous class of AMI graduates, and brings the total number of AAMs to more than 1,000.

The continuing education offered by the Institute helps automotive service professionals improve their business management skills. In addition to providing business management classes, the Institute offers the AAM designation, the industry's first business education accreditation. AMI courses concentrate on five core areas of business management education: financial management, marketing and sales, operations and service, management and administration, and personnel and human resource development.

"It is a pleasure to recognize the Institute's 2004 AAMs. The dedication and commitment by these graduates to achieve this level of excellence and professionalism is to be commended," said AMI Chairman John Francis Jr., AAM.

AMI Executive Director, Toni Slaton, AAM, added, "This elite group of automotive service professionals has demonstrated a very strong commitment to improving their business management skills and the professional image of our industry."

The graduation took place during the Automotive Service Association (ASA) Celebration of Excellence, Nov. 5, 2004, in Las Vegas.

AMI was established to answer the demand for continuing education tailored specifically for the business needs of the automotive service industry. The Institute offers the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation, the first business management accreditation exclusively for the automotive service professional. To date, AMI programs have attracted more than 125,000 enrollments throughout North America. AMI is a not-for-profit educational foundation to which tax-deductible contributions can be made. For more information about the Institute, its curriculum, or EXCEL, please contact AMI at (800) 272-7467, ext. 233, or visit the AMI Web site at www.amionline.org.