Press Release

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – May 21, 2015
The PPG Industries Foundation, working with the Collision Repair Education Foundation, recently awarded scholarships to four students who have demonstrated a career interest in automotive repair and refinish. The scholarships, $5,000 each, are awarded annually to full-time students attending a post-secondary school with a focus or degree program in collision repair. The funds may be used to assist the students with educational expenses such as tuition, books, tools and equipment.

The winners of the 2015 PPG Foundation Scholarships are Chris Cranford (Pulaski Tech, Little Rock, Ark.); Marly Luna (Lincoln College of Technology, Denver, Colo.); Eric Piper (Highland Community College, Freeport, Ill.); and Aaron Rollins (Universal Technical Institute, Houston, Texas).

In addition, money was raised for the PPG MVP Industry Student Scholarship Fund during PPG’s 2014 Fall MVP Business Solutions Conference in Nashville, Tenn. The fund was able to award a $990 scholarship to Jessica Hedgecock (Manhattan Area Tech College, Manhattan, Kan.).

“Through PPG Automotive Refinish and the PPG Foundation, we continue to work closely with the Collision Repair Education Foundation to support future professionals and develop the educational facilities the collision industry requires,” said Domenic Brusco, PPG senior manager, industry relations and treasurer of the Collision Repair Education Foundation. “By taking an active role in the education of collision repair and refinish students across the country, we help grow a workforce to meet the demand for highly competent technicians amid ever-evolving technology. We congratulate our 2015 scholarship recipients.”

Industry members interested in working with the Collision Repair Education Foundation to support secondary and post-secondary collision repair students, instructors and school programs should contact Brandon Eckenrode, director of development, at (847) 463-5244 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

About PPG Industries Foundation
Established in 1951, the PPG Industries Foundation demonstrates the values of PPG Industries by enhancing the quality of life in communities where the company has a presence. Interests of the foundation, in order of priority, are education, human services, culture and arts, and civic and community affairs. PPG also supports charitable causes by encouraging employees’ volunteerism and board service with nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.ppgfoundation.com.

PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE.®
PPG Industries’ vision is to be the world’s leading coatings company by consistently delivering high-quality, innovative and sustainable solutions that customers trust to protect and beautify their products and surroundings. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG provides added value to customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in nearly 70 countries around the world. Reported net sales in 2014 were $15.4 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPGIndustries on Twitter.

The PPG Logo and Bringing innovation to the surface are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

About the Collision Repair Education Foundation
The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization
dedicated to securing donations that support philanthropic and collision repair education
activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry. For information on
how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us on the Internet at www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – May 11, 2015 – The Collision Repair Education Foundation’s annual Ultimate Collision Education Makeover school grant application is due at the end of this month (May 29th). All high school and college collision school programs are encouraged to apply, and the winning schools will be announced during SEMA 2015. The Makeover grant program is in its seventh year and new this year, the two annual Makeover grants will be in the names of Allstate Insurance and State Farm Insurance, honoring the companies for their continued support of the Collision Repair Education Foundation. More than $100,000 in additional cash prizes is available in addition to the main prizes.

“With less than a month before the deadline, I encourage all schools that have not started to consider applying,” said Director of Grant Programs Melissa Marscin. “The schools that apply will not only be eligible for the $200,000 in cash prizes we are offering, but the applicants will also receive first chance at any in-kind donation we receive. That could be anything from new uniforms to tape to larger equipment. Last year, each applicant school got an average of $7,500 in in-kind donations and we hope to grow that even more this year.”

As part of the Makeover grant application, schools provide their own, itemized wish list, which can include any tools, supplies, and equipment that are needed by the collision program. The organization’s Board of Trustees Selection Committee will select the winners of the awards and determine what items off the wish lists each school will receive.

The goal of the Ultimate Collision Education Makeover grant is to honor a school that has been doing an outstanding job in educating students in collision repair, but needs some financial assistance to improve their program’s teaching materials and equipment. With strained school budgets, the Education Foundation and industry supporters have the opportunity to bridge the program’s financial gap and to make a difference in the lives of the students studying collision repair.

The Ultimate Collision Education Makeover school grant application is available online www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org and is due by Friday, May 29th. Industry members are encouraged to work with their local collision school programs to ensure they apply by the deadline. Industry members interested in getting involved with the Foundation and joining its efforts to support the future of the collision industry, please contact Foundation Director of Development, Brandon Eckenrode at 847.463.5244 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – May 19, 2015 – Gerber Collision & Glass has donated $35,000 to the Collision Repair Education Foundation, more than tripling their donation from previous years. In addition to donating $10,000 to the Education Foundation’s Collision Repair Education Campaign fund, Gerber Collision & Glass will be participating as a Diamond sponsor of the upcoming Cars, Careers & Celebrities event taking place this September at the Chicagoland Speedway, that will be attended by several hundred high school and college collision students from around the Midwest.

“Gerber Collision & Glass is proud to support the efforts of the Collision Repair Education Foundation to expose students studying collision repair to the excellent career opportunities in our industry through events such as the Cars, Careers & Celebrities event. In addition, the support provided to schools and students will help to ensure that we have qualified entry-level team members that we need to grow our business,” said Tim O’Day, President of Gerber Collision & Glass.

Collision Repair Education Foundation Executive Director Clark Plucinski noted, “I would like to thank Gerber Collision & Glass for significantly increasing their support of the Collision Repair Education Foundation this year and their President Tim O’Day serving on our Board of Trustees. Through Gerber’s support of the upcoming Cars, Careers & Celebrities event this September, we will be able to bring together hundreds of collision students from over five states and connect students with industry career opportunities.”

Industry members interested in joining the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s supporters and assist high school and college collision school programs should contact Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at 847.463.5245 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

Hoffman Estates, IL – May 6, 2015 – For the second consecutive year, the Collision Repair Education Foundation has received Charity Navigator’s highest rating for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. Charity Navigator has awarded the Collision Repair Education Foundation an “exceptional” ranking of four stars out of a possible four, demonstrating adherence to good governance and fiscal responsibility. The Collision Repair Education Foundation awarded nearly $14 million in support to high school and college collision school programs in 2014, with 94 cents of every dollar donated being returned to this group.

Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode noted, “It is important for our donors to know that their support is being responsibly allocated to collision school programs in need. We are extremely pleased to receive the Four Star rating for the second consecutive year and this will display to both current and prospective donors that our organization is one of the best in the country.”

Charity Navigator provides essential information that gives donors greater confidence in charitable choices they support. Receiving four stars indicates the Education Foundation is respected by its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust. For additional information on Charity Navigator visit www.charitynavigator.org.

Collision industry members are invited to join the Collision Repair Education Foundation in their efforts of supporting high school and college collision students, instructors, and school programs across the country. For additional information on how to support the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts, please contact Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at 847-463-5244 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

Hoffman Estates, IL – May 21, 2015– The Collision Repair Education Foundation and CCC Information Services Inc., are proud to announce four exceptional students as winners of the CCC Michael Salvatore Memorial Student Repair Technician Scholarship. The CCC scholarship program has been in place since 2006.

The CCC Michael Salvatore Memorial Student Repair Technician Scholarship awards scholarships to students currently enrolled in a repair program and who have demonstrated superior academic achievement.

The 2015 winners include:

Top Scholarship Recipient
Sylvanah Wolff (Cerritos College, Norwalk, CA)

Additional Scholarship Recipients
Chris Kelly (Hawaii Community College, Hilo, HI)
Matthew Miller (Lake Technical College, Eustis, FL)
Silky Wheeler (Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock, NC)

“CCC congratulates these students on their academic achievements and we’re proud to support them in their collision repair education and training,” said Joseph Allen, GM of CCC’s Automotive Services Group. “As new technologies continue to drive vehicle design and repairability, hands-on education has become even more critical. We wish these students well and look forward to having them in the industry in the years to come.”

For additional information about CCC Information Services visit www.cccis.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.

Hoffman Estates, IL– May 21, 2015 – ABRA Auto Body & Glass awarded 10 collision students each with $2,000 in tools through a spring tool grant opportunity with the Collision Repair Education Foundation. The tool grant was made available to select high school seniors and post-secondary students studying in collision repair programs. The winning students were able to select $2,000 (retail value) in tools and equipment from a list of entry-level body tools.

The student winners of the 2015 ABRA Auto Body & Glass spring tool grant include:

Alfonza Cooper – Chattahoochee Technical College (Marietta, GA)
Jonathon Groom – Southwest Technical College (Fennimore, WI)
Derek Holzknecht – Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (Rice Lake, WI)
Antonio Huizar – Pickens Technical College (Aurora, CO)
Jamari Linder – WyoTech (Blairsville, PA)
Cesar Mercado – Walla Walla Community College (Walla Walla, WA)
Anthony Pung – Dunwoody College of Technology (Minneapolis, MN)
Cory Seal – Tennessee College of Applied Technology (Morristown, TN)
Victor Vuchetich – Chippewa Valley Technical College (Eau Claire, WI)
Jacob Will – Hennepin Technical College (Brooklyn Park, MN)

“One of the long-term goals of ABRA is to foster and support high school seniors and post-secondary students with their training and education in collision repair programs,” said Michelle DeMarais, ABRA’s recruiting manager. “With these grants and our partnership with the Collision Repair Education Foundation, this goal can be a reality for students all across the country.”

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.