TROY , Mich. -- Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) recently announced that James Press, vice chairman and president of Chrysler LLC, was elected as chairman of AYES, succeeding NADA President Phil Brady.

In addition, Allen Childs, vice president of Parts and Service for Nissan North America, was elected vice-chairman of the board and Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc., was elected secretary of AYES. They will serve in their respective positions until March 2009.

The election took place at the board of directors meeting held earlier this year in Washington, D.C.

"AYES is truly pleased to have Jim Press as our chairman this year," said Larry Cummings, president and CEO of AYES. "With Jim's nine year Involvement as an AYES board member and the long term support from Chrysler, I am confident that AYES will successfully place more quality young men and women in the automotive service industry."

For more information about AYES, go to: http://www.ayes.org.