BEDFORD, TEXAS, May 15, 2007 - Bill Sauer, AAM, founder of Identifix, St. Paul, Minn., received the Automotive Management Institute's (AMI's) most prestigious honor - the AMI Annual Recognition Award. The award is presented to an individual who has taken specific and significant action to encourage, enhance and support opportunities for automotive service industry professionals to

The award was presented during the Automotive Service Association (ASA) Celebration of Excellence, held May 5, in Nashville, by AMI Board of Trustees Chairman, John Francis, AAM. "For many years Bill has given endlessly of his time, knowledge and wisdom to guide and strengthen the Institute," said Francis. "His leadership has helped AMI achieve great success."

Sauer accepted the award and stated, "It is a great honor to receive this award and be recognized for my deep commitment to the automotive service industry and continuing education."

Sauer earned the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation in 1997 and has served on the AMI Board of Trustees since 1999.

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.