Bedford, Texas, Sept. 27, 2007 — The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) and the Automotive Service Association (ASA) jointly announced today that Raleigh Walker, manager for A.C. Proctor’s Paint & Body, Inc., Augusta, Ga., is the recipient of this year’s Emil Stanley Merit Award.

The award honors Emil Stanley who was publisher of Automotive Body Repair News (ABRN) until his death in 1989. Mr. Stanley was committed to strengthening the professionalism of the collision repair industry through education. He was recognized as a strong advocate of the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE), the world's largest collision repair event sponsored annually by ASA.

Walker has worked in the collision industry for 25 years and is currently working on completing the necessary requirements to earn the Institute’s Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. He currently holds several I-CAR and ASE certifications. When not working in the shop, he contributes his time to various community organizations.

As the scholarship recipient, Walker will receive complimentary registration, air transportation, and hotel accommodations to attend NACE 2007, Oct. 31 - Nov. 3, in Las Vegas.

“It is an honor to receive this award. I have always believed that education and knowledge, as well as first-hand experience, are the keys to success in this industry. I look forward to attending NACE and experiencing a variety of educational sessions and networking with other industry professionals, ” said Walker.

The Emil Stanley award is made possible by a grant from ASA to EXCEL, AMI's resource development program.

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 160,000 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 http://www.AMIonline.org.