News & Events

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – October 23, 2019 – The Collision Repair Education Foundation has selected the winner of its “Collision Student of the Year” award. The winning students are currently studying collision repair and were nominated by their collision instructor. This year’s recipient is Samantha Welch, a high school senior studying collision repair at Greater Southern Tier BOCES Coopers Education Center in Painted Post. N.Y. Samantha was nominated by her instructor Brian McDonnell.

Both the winner and her instructor will receive a trip to SEMA 2019 where the pair will be honored at the Education Foundation’s evening reception on Tuesday, November 5th.

“Sam has all the admirable qualities one would want as a student or employee” said McDonnell in his nomination letter to the Foundation. “She is incredibly hard working and never hesitates to help her fellow classmates or myself.”

The Foundation also announced two individuals who were runners up for the 2019 Student of the Year award. The runners up include:

• Kassidy Nixon, Central Carolina Community College, Sanford, N.C.
• Zachary Royer, Greene County Career & Technology Center, Waynesburg, Pa.

All industry members are welcome to join the Collision Repair Education Foundation during SEMA 2019 to celebrate Welch’s achievement who will be honored at the Collision Repair Education Foundation Industry Reception at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5th at the Renaissance Hotel.

 

Registration for the free event is available online. (https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07egi4d7yeb9c1008a&oseq=&c=&ch=)

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About the Collision Repair Education Foundation:

The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting 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 at: www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – October 23, 2019 – The Collision Repair Education Foundation has selected the winner of its “Collision Student of the Year” award. The winning students are currently studying collision repair and were nominated by their collision instructor. This year’s recipient is Samantha Welch, a high school senior studying collision repair at Greater Southern Tier BOCES Coopers Education Center in Painted Post. N.Y. Samantha was nominated by her instructor Brian McDonnell.

Both the winner and her instructor will receive a trip to SEMA 2019 where the pair will be honored at the Education Foundation’s evening reception on Tuesday, November 5th.

“Sam has all the admirable qualities one would want as a student or employee” said McDonnell in his nomination letter to the Foundation. “She is incredibly hard working and never hesitates to help her fellow classmates or myself.”

The Foundation also announced two individuals who were runners up for the 2019 Student of the Year award. The runners up include:

• Kassidy Nixon, Central Carolina Community College, Sanford, N.C.
• Zachary Royer, Greene County Career & Technology Center, Waynesburg, Pa.

All industry members are welcome to join the Collision Repair Education Foundation during SEMA 2019 to celebrate Welch’s achievement who will be honored at the Collision Repair Education Foundation Industry Reception at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5th at the Renaissance Hotel.

Registration for the free event is available online. (https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07egi4d7yeb9c1008a&oseq=&c=&ch=)

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About the Collision Repair Education Foundation:

The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting 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 at: www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – October 4, 2019 – The Collision Repair Education Foundation announced the winning teams at the inaugural Top Tech Mentor/Mentee Competition that was held Saturday, September 28 at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Mo. The goal of the competition was to recognize the performance of the next generation of collision technicians and their mentors on critical skills necessary to repair today’s high tech vehicles. Mentor and mentee teams performed and were tested on competencies the industry has deemed necessary for an entry-level technician.

The first place team included Bradford Amison, mentee technician and Frank Allen, mentor, from Service King in Leander, Texas. Amison, who graduated from WyoTech in Laramie, Wyo., has been a mentee for two years. Allen, who has been mentoring young technicians for over 20 years, feels strongly that with a good mentoring program we are able to encourage individuals to enter and become skilled in the trade.

The first-place team will receive $2500 for each team member and the sponsoring business will receive a Chief PNP90 riveting tool valued at $8000.

The second place team included John Gault, mentee technician, and Bryan Parnell, mentor, from Caliber Collision Centers in Mt. Moriah, Tenn. Gault, nicknamed Ritter, graduated from Mid Florida Tech and has been a mentee for almost a year. Parnell, who has been with Caliber for over six years, has been mentoring technicians for a year and a half. “Mentoring is important because quality body repair is a dying art that we must pass along to the younger generation,” said Parnell.

The third place team included Ian Chambers, mentee technician, and Ralph Gonzales, from Service King in Dallas, Texas. Chambers is currently attending Collin College and has been a mentee for just under one year. Gonzales has been working with Service King for approximately 20 years and has been a mentor for the last four years. “I believe it is important to me to show the next generation how to complete a quality repair,” said Gonzales. “It also gives me an opportunity to change a person’s life for the better.”

The second place team members will each receive $1000 and third-place team members will receive $500. Both the second and third place teams’ sponsoring business will receive a Chief MultiMig 190 welder.

Additional competitors at the inaugural event included:

• Marcus Edwards, mentee and Alex Joiner, mentor from Gerber Collision
• Alex Rodgers, mentee, and Ken Strickland, mentor from Gerber Collision
• Kyle Ray, mentee, and Joseph Baker, mentor from Metropolitan Community College.
• Robert Burkett, mentee, and Todd Kinzel, mentor from CARSTAR.
• Alex Rodriguez, mentee and Miguel, mentor from Fix Auto.

 “Mentored training is critical to developing our future technicians,” said Ivan Albright, Technician Development Program Manager at Gerber Collision. “When industry and schools work together, we will enable entry level trainees to build the skills and proficiency required to become journey level technicians.”

“I am proud to lead a program that allows newer entrants to the collision repair workforce to provide high quality repairs through a structured mentor training program. A critical foundation for our success is working with these schools that provide the most current education,” Albright continued.

 “I want congratulate all the teams that competed in the Top Tech Mentor/Mentee competition,” said Christen Battaglia, director of strategic partnerships for the Collision Repair Education Foundation. “Their energy and expertise is a shining example of how collision industry mentoring programs help new technicians succeed.” 

I would also like to thank the sponsors of the event,” said Battaglia. “Without their generous support we would not have been able to celebrate the success of these talented technicians and their mentors.

“Having a strong pipeline of skilled collision repair technicians is critical to the long-term growth of the automotive industry,” said Troy Weaver, Axalta VP of Global Refinish. “Axalta is proud to be a part of the solution by supporting the young men and women who receive training from the CREF and who compete in their skills tests. The skills they are learning today will be invaluable assets for the collision repair industry tomorrow.”

“Saint Gobain Abrasives is proud to be a sponsor of the first annual “Top Tech”, Mentor-Mentee Competition, hosted by the Collision Repair Education Foundation.  The competition’s goals of improving technician retention, and promoting a culture of mentorship at the shop level, are consistent with our vision for the collision repair industry.  Congratulations to the competition winners, and thank you to all participants and their sponsoring companies!” said Kevin Creegan, from Saint Gobain Abrasives.

Sponsors for the event included:

Axalta Coating Systems, Gerber Collision & Glass, Chief Automotive Technologies, Norton/Saint Gobain, Service King Collision Repair Centers, Caliber Collision, Ranken Technical College, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Polyvance, SAS Safety Corp, Automotive Technology, Inc. and SP/2

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(PHOTOS BELOW)

 

SUGGESTED CAPTION: The winning team at the inaugural Collision Repair Education Foundation Top Tech Mentor/Mentee competition was (L-R) Bradford Amison and Frank Allen from Service King Collision Repair Centers in Leander, Texas.

 

SUGGESTED CAPTION: The participants in the inaugural Collision Repair Education Foundation Top Tech Mentor/Mentee competition came from all across the U.S. to show their skills and promote collision repair industry mentoring programs.

 

About the Collision Repair Education Foundation:

The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting 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 at: www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL (September 27, 2019) –The annual Collision Repair Education Foundation industry fundraiser celebrated its 10 year anniversary of the automotive refinish business unit of PPG co-hosting the event, which has raised over $700,000 since 2009 toward supporting scholarships and grants for collision schools and students.

The 2019 event included sponsors and participants enjoying a day of golf at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course located at historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind., on July 23, 2019 and generated over $70,000.

“PPG is honored to continue of partnership in this premier event on behalf of the foundation,” said Tom Wolf, PPG director of business development, Automotive Refinish. “It’s not often we can we bring together industry professionals from around the country to tackle our number one resource challenge; a qualified, trained staff for our collective businesses. I am never disappointed when seeking help and assistance for the great work our Collision Repair Education Foundation puts forth at this event.”

“I encourage industry members to participate in our 2020 Golf fundraiser through a sponsorship, by attending, or by donating items for the raffle table and silent auction. Because of your efforts, we are making an impact on the resources of the future,” concluded Wolf.

 “Through the generous support of sponsors, attendees, and volunteers from local I-CAR committees we had another great golf fundraiser event that will increase the Education Foundation’s ability to support high school and college collision school programs. We want to extend a special thanks to the automotive refinish professionals at PPG for their continued co-sponsorship of the event,” said Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode. 

Next year’s event will take place Tuesday, July 21st at the Springhaven Club in Wallingford, Pa. in conjunction with other industry events taking place that week in Philadelphia.

Individuals and companies interested in getting involved with next year’s fundraiser should contact Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at (312) 231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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About the Collision Repair Education Foundation:

The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting 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 at: www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.

 

 

 

Hoffman Estates, IL –September 25, 2019– Collision industry members are invited to join the Collision Repair Education Foundation during their annual reception the evening of Tuesday, November 5th from 8:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. (PDT) in the Renaissance 1 Room at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel during the 2019 SEMA Show. During the reception, attendees will hear about the organization’s efforts to support high school and post-secondary collision students, 2019 donors/supporters will be highlighted, and winners of the annual 2019 Collision Repair Education Foundation Benchmark Grants will be announced.

The Foundation will also announce the winner of both its Student of Year and Collision School Instructor of the Year awards celebrating the achievement of outstanding students training for a career in the collision industry and educators. Industry members will also have an opportunity to meet and greet attending collision school instructors and students.

Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode said, “We welcome the industry to join us during this reception to recognize our current industry partners and participating schools to showcase the opportunities for others to get involved with us to fuel the future of the industry.”

Industry members are asked to RSVP online (https://conta.cc/2lfL85v) for the reception. Questions regarding the reception and/or the Education Foundation’s efforts to support the future of the collision industry can be directed to Director of Development, Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org or 312.231.0258.

Additional details of the event will be made available as the date approaches.

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About the Collision Repair Education Foundation:

The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting 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 at: www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (September 13, 2019) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation announced the recipient of the Sulkala Family Scholarship. The Sulkala Family scholarship program honors NABC Founder and longtime executive director Chuck Sulkala who retired last year. Sulkala is also a Trustee Emeriti of the Foundation.

The 2019 Sulkala Family Scholarship recipient, Joseph Silbaugh, Dunwoody College of Technology, Minneapolis, Minn., will receive a $2,000 scholarship to fund his education in the collision industry.

“The Sulkala family has given so much to this industry, it’s an honor to keep that influence going and support the next generation of collision industry professionals” said Stacy Bartnik who is both a past chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees and of the National Auto Body Council. “Chuck’s dedication to the future of the industry through his longstanding support of the Foundation since it was founded 28 years ago makes this scholarship a natural way to ensure that the Sulkala Family continues to help our industry into the future.”

How to donate to the Chuck Sulkala NABC Appreciation Scholarship

Individuals and companies who wish to contribute to the Sulkala scholarship fund can:

• Donate online on the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) website and select the Sulkala scholarship.
• Text SULKALA to 91999.
• Mail check to CREF at 5125 Trillium Blvd., Hoffman Estates, IL 60192.
• Contact Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at (312) 231-0258.

Industry members interested in working together with the Collision Repair Education Foundation in establishing a scholarship program, or supporting secondary and post-secondary collision repair students, instructors, and their school programs should contact Director of Development, Brandon Eckenrode at (312) 231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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About the Collision Repair Education Foundation:

The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting 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 at: www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.