Collision Repair Education Foundation

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Collision Repair Education Foundation Executive Director Clark Plucinski to Retire

Board launches search campaign for new executive director.

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) announced that Clark Plucinski, executive director of the organization, intends to retire. The Foundation announced it is launching a search campaign for a new Executive Director.

Since its inception in 1991, the Collision Repair Education Foundation has steadfastly advanced its work in support of its vision of a collision industry with a sufficient number of qualified, properly trained, and immediately productive entry-level employees to meet current and future Industry needs.

 “Clark’s has been a leading voice in support of the collision industry’s pre-employment education system his entire career. His decades of experience starting as a technician, multiple shop operator, volunteer board member and past chair of the Foundation, as well as our chief staff executive since 2012, has enabled the Foundation to be more effective to develop the industry’s future workforce,” said Tom Wolf, CREF Board of Trustees Chair and PPG Automotive Refinish Director of Business Development. “The Board of Directors wishes to thank him for his service to the industry, schools, students and our organization.”

Plucinski has 50 years of industry experience, starting as a collision repair technician at a major GM dealership in 1980. He was the co-owner of BCP Auto Body, Inc. from 1973-1996, a four-location collision repair business in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Plucinski joined with True2Form’ as Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing of the chain of 43 collision repair businesses located in four states.

Plucinski was named executive director of CREF in July 2012 after many years of service on its board, including as chair.

The Executive Director Position Description is available for download.

The executive director position reports to the CREF Board of Directors and works collaboratively with the Board to implement CREF’s strategic annual goals. Responsibilities include oversight over CREF’s daily operations, fundraising, marketing, finance and revenue growth.

Interested candidates should email resumes to Karen Gates, Director of Human Resources, I-CAR (karen.gates@i-car.com)

Deadline for submissions is December 11, 2020.

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Upcoming Winter Virtual Golf Fundraiser To Support Local Collision Programs

The Collision Repair Education Foundation’s (CREF) winter virtual golf fundraiser, exclusively sponsored by PPG Automotive, will support local high school and college automotive collision repair school programs. CREF is collaborating with 90 I-CAR volunteer committee groups nationwide and individuals can ensure that 80% of their registration fee will be re-invested back into local collision schools. Funds raised will help ensure these technical programs have the needed tools, equipment, and supplies so that the students receive the best technical education possible and better prepare them for employment in the automotive collision industry.

This event will be a private in-game tournament within TopGolf’s online golfing game, which will be held from Friday, November 20th through Sunday, December 20th. Golfers will be able to play an unlimited number of rounds of virtual golf during those 30 days, while viewing an in-game leaderboard to see how they are doing compared to others golfing from around the country. With the event being virtual, zero actual golfing skill is required and golfers can play from the comfort of their home.

Ready to play?

  • Officially register for the virtual golf fundraiser below. If you are supporting a local I-CAR Volunteer Committee, make sure to select them and $20 of your $25 registration fee will be re-invested back into your local high school/college collision school programs. Not supporting a specific I-CAR Committee? Select “CREF General Fund” and your registration fee will help those collision programs in the most need nationwide. 
  • Download the free “WGT Golf” app to your phone/tablet or visit www.WGT.com to create your player profile. Start practicing your virtual golf swing between now and November 20th.
  • On November 20th, registered players will be emailed information on how to access the private in-game tournament and will have until December 20th to play as many rounds as they would like. There will be an in-game leaderboard for you to see how you are doing compared to others around the country and the golfer with the lowest score will receive (2) donated passes to attend the Ford Performance Racing School ($4,000 value).



 

Questions regarding the fundraiser can be directed to CREF Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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3M Donates Signature Event with Chip Foose to Support Military Veterans and Collision School Programs

To show support for the Collision Industry and advancing career opportunities, 3M donated a signature event with Chip Foose, as well as other Chip Foose memorabilia, to the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) combined efforts to raise funds for the Hire Our Heroes program in addition to raising additional support for high school college collision programs as they start their new school semester.

The Hire Our Heroes program supports military veterans and family members of veterans who are studying collision repair in a local high school or technical college. Auto enthusiasts are encouraged to participate in these two different fundraising opportunities and help support the future professionals of the industry.

Signature Event Auction

For Foose Design fans and auto enthusiasts, CREF will also be auctioning off auctioning off a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Chip Foose and tour Foose Design in Huntington Beach, CA. This opportunity includes roundtrip airfare, a tour of Foose Designs by Chip himself, and autographs. This signature prize was generously donated by 3M. Funds from the auction will help CREF support high school and college collision programs in need this school year with tools, equipment, and supplies.

The Meet & Greet online auction has closed! 

“The passion for cars and restoring the beauty is a talent and art we must continue to foster and bring to the Collision Industry. I learned from my dad at an early age and want to continue to give-back and support the talented people in the early stages of their careers,” Chip Foose, Foose Design.

Autographed Hoods

Chip Foose has recently autographed (150) Hire Our Heroes graphically themed mini-hoods, which are available for purchase online. There are two different types of hoods: (135) with Chip’s signature which are available for $250 each and (15) hoods that include Chip’s signature and a custom car drawing done by Chip are $500 each. Funds raised from this fundraiser will help CREF provide tool grants to Hire Our Heroes recipients and allow veterans and/or their family members studying collision repair start off their careers with needed tools. The hoods are available on a first-come-first serve basis, with the expectation that they will sell out quickly.

For a donation of $500 or more, the first 15 donors will receive a autographed hood that includes a custom drawing by Foose.

Donate below to receive a hood:



 

 

“Inspiring new talent to join and become part of the Collision Industry is imperative and 3M wants to do their part to ensure technicians have the right tools for the job and continue to build a passion for the industry,” Lori Tempelis, 3M Automotive Aftermarket Sales and Marketing Director.

Questions regarding either fundraiser opportunity can be directed to CREF Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

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CREF Ramping Up Support for Struggling Education System

Dear CREF Supporters,

This time in history is unprecedented; the entire country and entire world are working to find a solution to the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses, individuals and governments are being challenged in every way possible to continue operating but in limited capacity.

Make a Difference DonateThe collision education system is being directly impacted by this pandemic!

Many states have already cancelled school for the entire school year and educators are struggling for resources to educate their students.

CREF is taking an active role to help the struggling collision education system.

Here are some key initiatives CREF is 100% focused on immediately to help the education system:

Employment: With the end of the school year approaching, we are connecting students with possible employment opportunities. This includes a resume database and virtual career fairs which all can be done online

Resume Database: We are working together with educators to put together a list of students ready to start work in the collision industry

Virtual Career Fair: With CREF having to postpone the remainder of the 2020 spring career fair schedule, we are looking to host virtual career fairs to help connect students and employers

Online Training: CREF is putting together a list of training opportunities for instructors and students to utilize during this period of e-learning. Our goal is to host 1-2 live webinars for students/instructors as well as provide a master list of resources

Student Scholarships: With many campuses and businesses closed, students are struggling to have an income to pay for education. CREF is ramping up support for the scholarship program to help the students bridge the gap during these difficult times. Our goal is to give out $100,000+ in awards this spring to deserving students

School Support: Most schools did not have a detailed school plan in place for long-term e-learning so many schools are struggling to adapt. CREF is helping with curriculum, online platforms, and other instructor needs to help deliver education to their students

We know these are difficult times, but please consider a pledge or donation in any amount to CREF to support our initiatives to help the education system. Remember, the students of today are the future of the Collision Industry.

Sincerely,

Clark Plucinski, Executive Director

Collision Repair Education Foundation

Clark.Plucinski@ed-foundation.org

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CREF Invites Dealers to Become Part of the Solution with New Initiative – Over 500 Collision School Programs Requesting Parts

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (February 12, 2020) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation is excited to announce the creation of their new “Part of the Solution” initiative which provides dealers and dealer groups with an opportunity to support future technicians by donating leftover parts that would otherwise be discarded, allowing students to train on current model vehicles.

Part of the Solution

“Our philosophy is a higher quality program will attract a higher quality student which will make for a higher quality industry employee,” stated Christen Battaglia, Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Foundation. “When the technicians entering the industry are well-trained on current vehicles, using modern equipment and tools, the entire automotive industry benefits.”

Parts are the most frequent need reported by schools with collision repair education programs, including fenders, hoods, bumper covers and a variety of other parts. Without access to these parts, many students are learning on vehicles and parts that are at least a decade old, but with the frequent advances in technology, this leaves student unequipped for a successful career after graduation.

Recognizing that most dealers trash thousands of dollars’ worth of parts monthly, the Foundation developed the “Part of the Solution” initiative in order to connect local schools with these dealers and dealer groups. CREF has compiled a list of over 500 schools across the U. S. in need of scrap parts that can be donated at little to no cost to the donor facility.

“Hendrick Automotive Group is excited to partner with CREF’s initiative to provide students with current vehicle parts to practice OE repair procedures on that will better prepare them for today’s Collision repair environment,” said Roger Mesiemore, Corporate Director of Collision and Service Operations for Hendrick Automotive Group which has already signed on to support the future generation of technicians by participating in “Part of the Solution.”

Dealers and dealer groups can also support future technicians by donating professional uniforms through the Foundation’s Student Technician Shirt Project. Supporters purchase professional Cintas technician shirts for their local collision education programs, receiving a logo patch on the shirt in recognition of their dedication to the industry.

According to Battaglia, “Receiving professional uniforms fills students with a sense of pride and teaches them what it means to look professional in the workplace. It instills confidence in them, reminds them that plenty of us believe in them, and reaffirms that they will have support as they pursue their education and enter the automotive industry as well-trained professionals.”

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 at (312) 231-0258 or Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation.org.

Click here to download a listing of the 500 schools

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.

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