Research Triangle Park, NC — Oct 18, 2007 — The Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS) is pleased to announce their collaboration with the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Committee in creating an online scholarship resource for students planning to pursue careers in diesel technology.

This industry association cooperation will allow students interested in diesel technology careers to apply online at www.automotivescholarships.org for the 2008 ADS/Ortner Foundation Scholarships. Students who apply online receive consideration for the ADS scholarships along with scholarships from the following organizations: Automotive Aftermarket Association of the Carolinas and Tennessee (AAACT), Automotive Parts & Service Alliance (APSA), the Breslow Foundation, California/Nevada Automotive Wholesalers’ Association (CAWA) and Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS). Applicants must meet the individual scholarship qualifications to be considered.

“The collaboration between ADS and GAAS ultimately benefits students who express interest in the diesel industry,” said Tom Folmar, ADS President and CEO of Southeast Power Systems, Inc. based in Orlando, Fla. “ADS is happy to join with so many other valuable organizations in order to help the next generation of diesel specialists,” he continued.

About the ADS/Ortner Foundation
The Association of Diesel Specialists / Henry and Esther Ortner Educational Foundation was established in 1994 following receipt of a gift from the estate of the late Mrs. Esther Ortner. Mrs. Ortner was the widow of Henry Ortner Jr., the first ADS Technical Director. The ADS/Ortner Foundation is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization.

In 1995, the ADS/Ortner Foundation's trustees approved the Ortner Scholarship Program. The scholarships, administered by the ADS Technical Education Committee, seek to recruit new students into diesel training programs at institutions participating in the association's TechSmart program. More information is available at www.diesel.org.

Since the inception of the program, over 200 scholarships have been awarded totaling more than $100,000.

About the GAAS Scholarship Program
The GAAS scholarship program awarded 142 scholarships in 2007. Including this year’s awards, GAAS has presented more than 1,300 scholarships and more than $1.3 million since it was formed. Details about the GAAS scholarship program are available at www.automotivescholarships.com.

Over its 13-year history, the annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) has become the premier industry conference for senior-level aftermarket executives. All of the net proceeds from the event go toward funding industry scholarships. The 2008 event is slated for Tuesday, May 20, and Wednesday, May 21, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago. Speakers and registration details will be available soon at www.globalsymposium.org.

The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Tire Industry Association (TIA) and University of the Aftermarket.