Bedford, Texas, Nov. 16, 2005 - The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) honored its 13th class of Accredited Automotive Managers (AAMs) on Nov. 4, 2005. The graduating class of 2005 had 125 automotive service professionals who earned the prestigious AAM designation by successfully completing AMI courses and accumulating a minimum of 120 credits.

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 2005 AAMs. These individuals have demonstrated a diligence to plan for the future, to take charge and to succeed. They are a credit to our industry," said AMI Chairman John Francis Jr., AAM.

AMI Executive Director, Toni Slaton, AAM, added, "This elite group of automotive service professionals join the 1090 graduates before them who represent a growing breed of dedicated and professional owners and managers."

The graduation took place during the Automotive Service Association (ASA) Celebration of Excellence, Nov. 4, 2005, 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 131,000 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. 239, or visit the AMI Web site at www.amionline.org.