Herminio Torres, Jr. of Riverside Body and Fender Works, Inc., in Belleville, New Jersey was presented with the annual Russ Robson AASP/NJ Memorial Scholarship at the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) Annual Meeting late last month. The scholarship is in memory of the beloved AASP/NJ Board member who has since passed on.
The award includes a plaque, as well as a monetary endowment to the recipient to further their studies in the automotive repair field. Russ Robson was the president of the Garden State Automotive Federation when it merged with the Automotive Service Providers to create the Association we know today.
AASP/NJ Treasurer and longtime friend of Robson Tom Elder presented the award. “As this industry moves forward, it is important to remember the people who molded it,” he said. “Russ Robson had a dedication to training young people in our field. I’m sure he has sat in the background since his passing, looking after this group and moving us forward.”
Although only employed at the shop for a little over a year, Torres, Jr. proved that he was an asset to the business. He was nominated by shop owner, Wayne Luberto, who recommended Torres, Jr. due to his “incredible drive, workman- ship and desire to constantly learn new aspects of the automotive repair industry.” The endowment he received is the equivalent of eight I-CAR credits, which Torres, Jr. will use to continue his education in this field.
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