BEDFORD, TEXAS, Sept. 26, 2006 - The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) and Babcox Publications jointly announced today that Dick DeLaere, controller, Autobody USA, Kalamazoo, Mich., is the recipient of this year's "BodyShop Business Magazine Scholarship."

AMI and Babcox present the scholarship annually to recognize management-oriented members of the Automotive Service Association Collision Division. The recipient receives $1,000 to be applied toward expenses to attend the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) in Las Vegas, Nov. 1-4.

DeLaere has worked in the automotive service industry for 10 years. He is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and recently completed the necessary requirements to earn the Institute's Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. When not working in the shop, he contributes his time to various community organizations and groups.

"I look forward to attending NACE this year and seeing the latest and greatest in the collision industry. The comprehensive education offered at NACE has helped our organization become one the leading collision repair organizations, with four stores in Southwest Michigan. We have grown, improved our bottom line, increased cycle time, and advanced in many other areas," said DeLaere.

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 132,000 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. 241, or visit the AMI Web site at www.amionline.org.