CREF
Brandon Eckenrode, CREF’s executive director, handed out the organization’s two Fueling the Future Awards. The award recognizes volunteers or businesses going above and beyond to help support the industry’s future.
Pam Watson, sales and marketing strategist at Albert Kemperle and Florida state chair for I-CAR, was recognized for her help in addressing the critical need for entry-level talent entering the industry.
In addition to organizing fundraisers that help support local schools and students, Watson plans career fairs, participates in advisory boards, facilitates product donations to schools and organizes field trips so students can interact with industry members.
“I want to thank CREF and I-CAR for setting ambitious goals and providing us the resources and the guidance to achieve those goals,” said Watson. “[It’s a] pleasure to work with Brandon and his team. Equipping collision repair education programs with the tools that they need is very valuable to me…I'm just very appreciative of delivering that.”
CREF’s second Fueling the Future Award recipients included Tony Russo from Volkswagen Group of America and Mark Allen from Audi of America. The auto manufacturers donated 78 new vehicles slightly damaged in an overseas shipment and could not be sold to consumers.
As a result, 18 schools in Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia received a mixture of internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles, totaling a donation of more than $2 million.
“Thousands of students are going to be impacted…through this very generous donation,” said Eckenrode. Once the schools use the vehicles, they will be donated to local first responders.
I-CAR
I-CAR President and CEO John Van Alstyne announced the Jeff Silver and the Russ Verona Memorial awards recipients.
“Our two award recipients promote technical education and professionalism beyond just their own businesses,” said Van Alstyne. “These industry champions recognize the relationship of technical knowledge and skills to perform high-quality collision repairs that ultimately benefit the consumer.”
Zack Beck, corporate claims trainer for GEICO Insurance, received the Jeff Silver award, given out since 2009 and named after industry leader Jeff Silver. Silver pioneered I-CAR’s Platinum and Gold Class recognition programs for individuals and shops.
“Our award recipient, who trains appraisers, is viewed by coworkers as a true champion for the I-CAR community,” said Van Alstyne. Beck has completed about 200 I-CAR courses and continues to train.
“Nothing is more satisfying to our award winner than helping advance the careers of his teammates and other professionals he meets through active networking in our industry,” said Van Alstyne. “He's especially supportive of newcomers to appraising and offers solid training recommendations to give them a good start.”
Clinton Body Shop in Mississippi, established by John Mosley, received the Russ Verona Memorial Award, presented every year since 2006 to honor the memory of industry pioneer Russ Verona. Verona owned and operated the first I-CAR Gold Class-designated business and made numerous contributions to reinforce a positive image of the industry.
Van Alstyne said the death of Mosely left a huge void in the industry. Moseley was a 22-year member of SCRS and served on its board. He traveled throughout the country, promoting education and proper collision repairs. As a consumer advocate, he lobbied state and federal lawmakers and testified on Capitol Hill.
“His selflessness is infused in the business he built,” said Van Alstyne. “He was always willing to work with local shops, even direct competitors, to help them understand the importance of OEM procedures and training.”
Ron Reichen, owner of Precision Body and Paint in Beaverton, OR, accepted the award on behalf of John’s widow, Carol.
“John was a warrior for our industry,” said Reichen. “He always put the customer’s needs above all else. John believed there was only one correct way to repair a vehicle, and that was knowing the vehicle's construction and the correct methodology that could only be achieved through training. Not only did John believe in I-CAR, but every vehicle that he repaired saw the I-CAR stamp on it.”
Stacey Phillips Ronak