Collision Repair Education Foundation

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COLLISION REPAIR EDUCATION FOUNDATION ADDS BATTAGLIA TO LEADERSHIP TEAM

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – June 12, 2017 – The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) announced that Christen Battaglia has joined CREF as Director of Strategic Partnerships.  As a member of the leadership team reporting to Clark Plucinski, Executive Director, Battaglia will assist in growing the organization’s financial supporters, while assisting the organization in ensuring high school and college collision programs are fully engaged with support opportunities. 

 Over the past several years, CREF has evolved from securing and distributing industry support for high school and college collision programs to connecting students with industry employers. With the addition of Battaglia, the Foundation can better work towards addressing the industry’s critical issue of recruiting for its’ pipeline.

“We are thrilled to have Christen on the team,” noted Plucinski. “Her automotive industry background and continued work with technical schools across the country will help bring the Foundation to another level.  As the industry is in high demand of quality entry-level staff, Christen will be working closely with the Foundation staff, industry partners and career and technical education to ensure the industry has high caliber collision programs producing career ready employees on day one.” 

Before joining the Foundation, Battaglia was most recently with ASE/NATEF as Director of Alliance Partner Engagement.  Prior to that role, Christen was Corporate Development Officer with SkillsUSA.

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The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to securing donations that support collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us online: www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org

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ABRA AUTO BODY & GLASS AWARDS TOOL GRANTS TO 10 STUDENTS THROUGH THE COLLISION REPAIR EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Hoffman Estates, IL– May 25, 2017 – ABRA Auto Body and Glass is awarding 10 students with tool grants of $2,000 each through a grant and scholarship program with the Collision Repair Education Foundation. The winning students can use the grant to purchase tools from the NATEF tool list. The winners were selected from a pool of high school seniors and post-secondary students enrolled in collision repair programs and planning to graduate and enter the workforce in 2017.

The student winners of the 2017 ABRA Auto Body & Glass spring tool grant are:

• Willie Perry of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina
• Leanne Rafferty of Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
• Cesar Delgadillo of Chattanooga State in Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Daron Hardy of Kennedy King in Chicago, Illinois
• Scott George of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah
• Joshua Payne of Tennessee college of Applied Technology in Shelbyville, Tennessee
• Seger Gott of Southwest Tech Auto Body Collision in Fennimore, Wisconsin
• Michael Castanias of Scarlet Oaks in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Johnny Mosquera Jr. of Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Shelbyville, Tennessee
• Anthony Tardivet of Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska

“ABRA is proud to support the next generation of auto body technicians,” says Greg Peeters, ABRA vice president of training and development. “This grant provides bright students the basic tool set they need to launch an exciting career in the Collision Repair Industry.”

For additional information about ABRA Auto Body & Glass, visit www.abraauto.com. Industry members interested in working together with the Collision Repair Education Foundation in supporting secondary and post-secondary collision repair students, instructors, and their school programs should contact Director of Development, Brandon Eckenrode at 847.463.5244 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC. AND THE COLLISION REPAIR EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP

Hoffman Estates, IL – May 25, 2017– CCC Information Services Inc., (CCC) and the Collision Repair Education Foundation are announcing three winners of the 2017 CCC Michael Salvatore Memorial Student Repair Technician Scholarship. Each student winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship to use toward their post-secondary education in collision repair.

The CCC Scholarship Program rewards students who complete their education and find work in collision repair. It was renamed in honor of longtime CCC team member Michael Salvatore in 2006. This year’s recipients are:

• Shawn Green of Washburn Institute of Technology in Topeka, Kansas
• Jason Nelson of Highland Community College in Freeport, Illinois
• Scott George of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah

“CCC is proud to support deserving students pursuing a career in the collision repair industry,” said Mary Jo Prigge, President, Service Operations, CCC. “As vehicle complexity continues to grow and our industry continues to evolve at an accelerated rate, access to advanced training is critical. By relieving some of the burden that comes along with paying for school, students can focus their efforts on learning. Congratulations to this year’s recipients. We look forward to welcoming you into the industry upon the successful completion of your training.”

Information about CCC is available at www.cccis.com. Industry organizations and individuals interested in working with the Collision Repair Education Foundation in support of secondary and post-secondary collision repair students, instructors, and their school programs should contact Director of Development, Brandon Eckenrode at 847.463.5244 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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I-CAR NASHVILLE COMMITTEE AWARDS 7 STUDENTS WITH GRANTS THIS SPRING THROUGH THE COLLISION REPAIR EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Hoffman Estates, IL– May 25, 2017 – This spring, through a grant and scholarship program with the Collision Repair Education Foundation, the Nashville I-CAR Committee is awarding three TCAT Livingston students with a $3,000 tool grant each and four Lincoln Tech students with a scholarship toward their post-secondary collision repair education.

This year’s recipients are as follows:
Three students at TCAT Livingston will be awarded $3,000 tool grants.
• Derrick Hammond
• Dylan Eads
• Reid Null
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Four students from Lincoln Tech in Nashville, Tennessee will be awarded scholarships for direct educational expenses like tuition, room and board, and materials and equipment.
• Crystal Burt will be awarded $2,500
• Peyton Boyd will be awarded $5,000
• Sean Kimble will be awarded $5,000
• Morris Rothfeldt will be awarded $2,500

“As the Vice Chairman for I-CAR Nashville Committee, I am so proud of our committee’s continuous commitment they have put into raising money to support the improvement of several Middle Tennessee technical schools and students,” said Kayla Williams, Vice Chairman for the I-CAR Nashville Committee. ”It’s important for committees like ours to make sure the students entering this industry are successful, and one small way we can do that is through these tool grants. I know how much each of the students and schools appreciate our support and our committee looks forward to watching the continued success of these recipients.”

Those interested in working with the Collision Repair Education Foundation to support secondary and post-secondary collision repair students, instructors, and their school programs should contact CREF Director of Development, Brandon Eckenrode at 847.463.5244 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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3M “HIRE OUR HEROES” SCHOLARSHIPS AND TOOL GRANTS FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES ANNOUNCED

Hoffman Estates, Ill.– May 25, 2017 – 3M and the Collision Repair Education Foundation are announcing the winners of this year’s 3M Hire our Heroes (HOH) scholarships and tool grants.

The annual 3M scholarship and tool grant is offered to collision repair students who are currently serving or who have recently served in the military. Some awards are also available to their immediate family members who are also studying collision repair. Awards are granted based on three criteria: financial need, future plans, and past academic achievement.

The following seven family members of veterans will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship each.
• Seth Thompson of Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Rachel Nunley of Great Plains Technology Center in Lawton, Oklahoma
• Tyler Thompson of Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Michelle Carroll of Metro Community College in Omaha, Nebraska
• Andrew Foster of Stanly Community College in Albermarle, North Carolina
• Mitchell Franklin of Lake Career and Technical Center in Camdenton, Missouri
• Kimberly Sanchez of Norwalk High School in Norwalk, California
In addition, 12 veterans were granted $2,000 scholarships. The veteran scholarship winners are:
• Anthony Armstrong of TCAT in Crossville, Tennessee
• Branden Kleppe of Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa
• Clement Nizeyimana of Universal Technical Institute in Houston, Texas
• Enock Ongera of Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
• Hector Corujo of Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas
• Jose Manuel Rodriguez Lozada of Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas
• Mitchell Edwards of Eastfield Community College in Mesquite, Texas
• Richard Kasper of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina
• Robert Richard of Stanly Community College in Albemarle, North Carolina
• Steven Norton of Cleveland Community College in Shelby, North Carolina
• Summer Reierson of South Plains College in Levelland, Texas
• Vicky Lambert of Lake Technical College in Eustis, Florida
There were 40 veterans who were awarded tool grants. The veteran tool grant winners are:
• Christopher Abrahim (Fayetteville Technical Community College in Fayetteville, North Carolina)
• Anthony Armstrong (Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Crossville, Tennessee)
• Matthew Banks (Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Athens in Athens, Tennessee)
• Dean Brackenbury (Manhattan Area Technical College in Manhattan, Kansas)
• Marcus Chambers (Manhattan Area Technical College in Manhattan, Kansas)
• Jason W. Coleman (Gadsden State Community in Gadsden, AL, Alabama)
• Hector Corujo (Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas)
• Jeffery Dancy (Manhattan Area Technical College in Manhattan, Kansas)
• Mitchell Edwards (Eastfield community collage in Mesquite, Texas)
• German Escobar (Texas Southmost College in Brownsville, Texas)
• Richard Gales (UTI in Houston, Texas)
• Lewayne Goodwin (Gadsden state community college in Gadsden, Alabama)
• Christopher Griffin (Manhattan Tech in Manhattan, Kansas)
• Lawrence Harris (College of Lake County in Grayslake Campus, Illinois)
• John Horchak (Cleveland Community College in Shelby, North Carolina)
• Curtis Jones (Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama)
• Charmoines Jordan (Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, North Carolina)
• Richard Kasper (Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina)
• Branden Kleppe (Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa)
• Vicky Lambert (Lake Technical College in Eustis, Florida)
• Jorge Molina (Miami Lakes Technical College in Miami lakes, Florida)
• Shaun Moylan (Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in Valdosta, Georgia)
• Linda Myers (Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Knoxville, Tennessee)
• Clement Nizeyimana (Universal Technical institute in Houston, Texas)
• Steven Norton (Cleveland Community College in Shelby, North Carolina)
• Enock Ongera (Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota)
• Joey Paredez (Technical College of Applied Technology in Shelbyville, Tennessee)
• John Pitts (Lincoln College of Technology in Nashville, Tennessee)
• Clevious Porter (Gadsden State Community College in Anniston, Alabama)
• Summer Reierson (South Plains College in Levelland, Texas)
• Robert Richard (Stanly Community College in Albemarle, North Carolina)
• Jose Manuel Rodriguez Lozada (Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas)
• Morris Rothfeldt (Lincoln College of Technology in Nashville, Tennessee)
• Brandi Scott (Fayetteville Technical Community College in Fayetteville, North Carolina)
• Jason Sherrell (Lincoln College of Technology in Nashville, Tennessee)
• Arthur Smith (Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in Valdosta, Georgia)
• Isaias Velazquez (HCC Ybor City Campus Training Center in Tampa, Florida)
• Ronald Wendling (Southwest Technical College in Fennimore, Wisconsin)
• Michael Wenger (Suncoast Technical College in Sarasota, Florida)
• Devan Westerlund (Suncoast Technical College in Sarasota, Florida)

Dale Ross, US Marketing Operations Manager for the 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division, said, “We are truly honored to work with our partners at the Collision Repair Education Foundation to help ensure our military veterans receive the tools and training they need to begin rewarding careers in the automotive repair industry. We continue to drive the message to our collision shop owners that when you “Hire Our Heroes” you get excellent employees with great skills and work ethic.”

Industry members interested in working together with the Collision Repair Education Foundation in supporting secondary and post-secondary collision repair students, instructors, and their school programs should contact Director of Development, Brandon Eckenrode at 847.463.5244 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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ATLANTA I-CAR VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE AWARDS $5,000 STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP THROUGH THE COLLISION REPAIR EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Hoffman Estates, IL – May 25, 2017 – In conjunction with the Collision Repair Education Foundation, the Atlanta I-CAR Volunteer Committee has awarded a $5,000 scholarship to one collision repair student this spring. Winner, Mark Tanner, of Athens Technical College in Athens, Georgia, can use the scholarship for educational expenses, including tuition, books, tools and equipment as long as he is enrolled in at least one collision repair course per semester.

The scholarship was funded through the annual golf and car show fundraisers, hosted by the Atlanta I-CAR Committee.

I-CAR Georgia State Chairman and Atlanta Committee Chairman Gerry Poirier stated, “The members of the Atlanta I-CAR Committee have continued to focus on supporting new technicians entering the collision field. This scholarship will be critical in helping another student to realize their dream of entering the collision repair industry. The fundraising efforts that are supported by committee members and collision industry partners continue to make this scholarship possible. Many thanks out to everyone involved in making this a reality.”

Melissa Marscin, Director of Grant Programs at the Collision Repair Education Foundation, said, “The Collision Repair Education Foundation is thankful that groups like the Atlanta I-CAR Committee continue to support our scholarship program. These scholarships are life changing for students, and we’re proud to continue the program in 2017.”

The Education Foundation exists to help provide tools and education to students, teachers, and schools working in the collision repair industry, and to connect qualified graduates with positions in the industry. Those individuals and organizations who would like to support the Collision Repair Education Foundation should contact Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed‑foundation.org or 847-463-5244.

For more information about I-CAR, an international non-profit organization “dedicated to providing the information, knowledge, and skills required to perform complete, safe, and quality repairs,” visit their website at www.i-car.com