Press Release

While raising funds is imperative for the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) to finance its goals, none of the work would be possible without the help of volunteer partners.   There are many industry partners who offer varying levels of assistance in these endeavors, and the Enterprise Holdings Foundation stands out as a partner dedicated to CREF’s initiatives to ensure collision repair students receive the education necessary to successfully enter the industry as entry-level technicians. The Enterprise Holdings Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Enterprise Holdings, which, through its integrated global network of independent regional subsidiaries and franchises, operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands.   Christen Battaglia, Director of Strategic Partnerships for CREF, stated, “In addition to receiving donations from the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, CREF enjoys a lot of support from local Enterprise employees who volunteer to facilitate various events. The Enterprise Holdings Foundation and Enterprise employees truly excel at supporting CREF’s goals at both the local and national level.”   CREF has far-reaching goals and ongoing endeavors spread across the country. As a result, collision repair industry professionals have many options for demonstrating their support of CREF and its efforts to enhance the educational experience of collision repair students across the country.   One way to get involved with CREF is joining a local I-CAR Committee. Glenn J. Zeldin, Replacement Rental Director for Enterprise in Chandler, Ariz., has been with the company for nearly 30 years and started attending local I-CAR Committee meetings in 2000. He became more involved with CREF seven years later when he joined the committee’s board of directors as the Vice Chair of Marketing. “Between golf tournaments, Recycled Rides events, the skills challenge and local career fairs, I’ve participated in around 50 events that benefit CREF,” Zeldin stated. “I’ve also helped students get to national events and assisted local schools in submitting scholarship applications.”   In Boston, Mass., Enterprise Replacement Rental Director Amy Blair has worked for the company since graduating college over 16 years ago. She also learned about CREF through her involvement with her local I-CAR Committee and currently serves as Vice Chair for the Massachusetts I-CAR Committee. “I-CAR’s goal is to create more industry awareness, especially at the career and technical level, and encourage organizations to work together to spread the word about the great opportunities available in the collision repair industry.”   Gary S. Jefferson, Replacement Rental Director for Enterprise in Chicago, Ill., and a 26-year company veteran, became involved with CREF 15 years ago. Over the years, he has supported dozens of CREF events,  including golf outings, career fairs and a variety of industry meetings. “Getting involved with CREF was a simple decision to make, because we should all support the collision repair industry,” he said. “There is a shortage of technicians in the automotive industry. When I talk to collision shops, the number one challenge is people,” Jefferson continued. “We need to make the investment so this industry can continue to attract and retain talent. Doing so is important for the future of the collision industry.”   Working with students is a rewarding experience for Blair who enjoys helping to educate them on the industry, as well as the opportunities available with Enterprise. “There’s a lot of awareness that needs to be brought to the younger generation around getting involved in collision and mechanical repairs,” she said. “Right now, there aren’t enough people who want to work in collision repair, and we need to attract them into this industry. We’re off to a great start by working with CREF, where we’ve been able to get funding for new floors in local schools and have already done so much at the local level. I truly feel that we are impacting the community and the people we know, and that’s a great feeling.”   CREF is grateful for the support it receives from Enterprise employees at the local level, and Zeldin, Blair and Jefferson also express gratitude to CREF for its invaluable role in the industry. According to Zeldin, “What the Collision Repair Education Foundation does is vital for the industry. CREF helps collision students become capable, qualified technicians by supporting schools in local communities. They provide grants, tools, and I-CAR training for classrooms.”

 

 

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 (January 21, 2020) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) 2020 grant and scholarship application period is now open to high school and post-secondary collision students who will be attending career and technical schools and colleges in the fall. The Foundation and its industry supporters offer over $150,000 in grants and scholarships annually, as part of their mission to promote collision repair education and create quality candidates for entry level job opportunities.

Application information for CREF grants and scholarships is posted online. This year’s deadline to apply is February 20, 2020 and winners are chosen and notified by phone or mail in April and May.

Melissa Marscin, Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Operations and Administration, said, “Thank you to the industry for continuing to step up and support collision students around the country with these awards. We have seen direct impact of these awards for future collision industry employees. Those students without debt or with a filled tool box upon graduation definitely have an advantage.”

The Collision Repair Education Foundation aims to support collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For more information, contact Melissa Marscin at scholarships@ed-foundation.org or 888.722.3787, Ext. 282.

###

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 – January 21, 2020 – The Collision Repair Education Foundation has selected the recipient of its “Instructor of the Year” award. The award recognizes the achievement of secondary and post-secondary collision school an instructor who has gone above and beyond their role and responsibility as an educator to become a true leader, role model and mentor to the students they teach.

The recipient of this year’s Instructor of the Year award is Brian McDonnell, a collision instructor at the Greater Southern Tier BOCES Cooper Education Center in Painted Post, N.Y.

“I really found out the caliber of teacher Brian is when I was his mentor,” said Tammy Divens, a registered nurse and New Visions Medical Teacher at the GST BOCES Cooper Education Center. “Brian works tirelessly to provide the most up to date skills and education for his students.”

The collision instructors working at career and technical schools and colleges across the U.S. have one of the most important and challenging jobs; to teach and guide young men and women towards becoming a successful asset to the collision industry and to have a thriving and fulfilling career.

 “The Instructor of the Year Award recognizes an instructor who has gone above and beyond his/her roles and responsibilities as an educator to become a true leader, role model and mentor of the students they teach,” said Melissa Marscin, director of operations and administration for the Foundation.

McDonnell received a trip to SEMA 2019 and was honored at the Education Foundation’s evening reception on Tuesday, November 5th.

 

###

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 – January 22, 2020– LKQ Corporation, the leading provider of alternative and specialty parts to the automotive industry, continued its support of the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) with an end-of-year, 2019 contribution of $25,000. LKQ’s annual contribution allows CREF the ability to work on attracting students to local technical programs, support the students while in school, and help connect the students to local/national industry employers.

Terry Fortner, LKQ Vice President – Insurance, Sales and Marketing noted, “The shortage of collision repair and refinish technicians, combined with the declining budgets at technical schools, continues to be a serious challenge for our industry. LKQ is proud to support CREF in its work to support students and schools and connect people with industry employers.”

CREF Executive Director Clark Plucinski noted, “LKQ’s continued support of CREF provides crucial support to the industry’s efforts to help collision schools across the country. These schools graduate productive, efficient, and capable staff members Day 1 on the job within the collision industry. LKQ’s support assists in our ability to help high school and post-secondary collision instructors provide the quality technical education their students need to succeed in the industry.”

Companies interested in joining the Collision Repair Education Foundation in supporting high school and college collision programs, and instructors should contact Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org or 312.231.0258.

###

About LKQ:

LKQ Corporation (www.lkqcorp.com) is a leading provided of alternative and specialty parts to repair and accessorize automobiles and other vehicles. LKQ has operations in North America, Europe and Taiwan. LKQ offers its customers a broad range of replacement systems, components, equipment and parts to repair and accessorize automobiles, trucks, and recreational and performance vehicles.

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. (December 17, 2019) – To continue its efforts of being the industry’s leader in connecting students with employers, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) announced their 2020 high school and college transportation student career fair schedule, which will include events being held in at least the top 25 markets nationwide that employ technicians. CREF will be collaborating with industry associations, public facing Auto Shows, and other events that already bring together hundreds to thousands of local collision, mechanical, and other transportation program students.   The current 2020 high school & college transportation student career fair event schedule includes:    Spring 2020 ·     Pittsburgh, PA (1/24)* – 700+ students anticipated ·     Indianapolis, IN (2/7)* – 250+ students anticipated ·     Kansas City, KS (2/21)* – 600+ students anticipated ·     Chicago, IL (3/6)* – 1,000+ students anticipated ·     Oklahoma City, OK (3/6) – 300+ students anticipated (Held in conjunction with the Oklahoma City Auto Show) ·     Salt Lake City, UT (3/13)* – 500+ students anticipated ·     Boston, MA (3/20)* – 600+ students anticipated ·     New York, NY (4/2) – 250+ students anticipated ·     Denver, CO (4/3) – 300+ students anticipated (Held in conjunction with the Denver Auto Show) ·     Orlando/ Tampa Bay, FL (4/9) – 500+ students anticipated ·     Atlanta, GA (4/21) – 250+ students anticipated ·     North & South Carolina (4/30) – 400+ students anticipated (Held in conjunction with the Carolina’s Auto Body Conference Trade Show) ·     Philadelphia, PA (5/7) – 250+ students anticipated ·     San Antonio, TX – TBD – 300+ students anticipated ·     All Connecticut – TBD – 300+ students anticipated   * Held in conjunction with the AutoRama/ World of Wheels Student Day event.   Fall 2020 ·     St. Louis, MO (10/2) – 600+ students anticipated ·     Detroit, MI (10/14-10/15) – 700+ students anticipated ·     Southern California – TBD – 200+ students anticipated ·     Northern California – TBD – 200+ students anticipated ·     Dallas, TX – TBD – 250+ students anticipated ·     Houston, TX – TBD – 300+ students anticipated ·     Seattle, WA – TBD – 250+ students anticipated ·     Miami, FL – TBD – 300+ students anticipated ·     Washington D.C. / Baltimore – TBD – 200+ students anticipated   Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode noted, “These events are unique opportunities for dealers, service managers, collision centers, and others to meet hundreds of future transportation industry professionals. Tool and equipment companies have also taken advantage of these events for brand awareness through product demonstrations and sponsoring the event’s student technician shirts. We invite the transportation industry to join in helping to showcase the many different career paths available to attending students.”   Industry members interested in participating at one of the Collision Repair Education Foundation career fair events should contact Tiffany Bulak, Development and Marketing Coordinator, at 847-586-5332 or Tiffany.Bulak@ed-foundation.org.   ###   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. (December 17, 2019) –

The Collision Repair Education Foundation is proud to announce that CCC Information Services Inc. (CCC) has presented two Classroom Enhancement Grants to deserving schools. Lebanon County Career and Technology Center (Lebanon, Pa) will receive $12,000 and Highland Community College (Freeport, Ill) is the recipient of a $5,000 grant. Eligibility for these awards was achieved by applying for the 2019 Collision Repair Education Benchmark Grant.

CCC’s Classroom Enhancement Grants are designed to assist schools’ collision repair programs with classroom materials, such as electronics, tools, furniture and other items, to ensure that students pursuing a career in collision repair have access to a professional learning environment.

“These students are part of the next generation of collision repairers,” said Mary Jo Prigge, president of service operations for CCC. “It’s never been more important to ensure students have access to technology and a learning environment that will prepare them for the fast-moving and complex collision repair industry. We’re proud to invest in these programs and support the great work of the Collision Repair Education Foundation.”

CCC has been an avid supporter of the Collision Repair Education Foundation since 1993. For additional information about CCC, visit www.cccis.com.

Industry members interested in supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist secondary and post-secondary collision repair training programs should contact Brandon Eckenrode, Director of Development, at 847-463-5244 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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.

###

If you would like more information, please call 888-722-3787 or email info@ed-foundation.org.