|
|
Current Events/News: E-newsletter: 2003 Archives
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I-CAR ANNOUNCES 2003-2004 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEI-CAR announced its 2003-2004 Board of Directors and Executive Committee at the I-CAR International Annual Meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The Board of Directors sets the overall strategic direction for the organization and assists in obtaining resources in support of the I-CAR mission. The board of directors is made up of representatives from each of the following six industry segments: collision repair; insurance; equipment, tools, and supplies; education, training, and research; vehicle manufacturers; and related industry services.
The 2003-2004 Executive Committee consists of: Chair Gene Hamilton, Sports & Imports for Society of Collision Repair Specialists; Vice Chair Nick Notte, Mitchell International; Secretary/Treasurer Rod Enlow, USAA; Immediate Past Chair Roger Wright, AIG; and Robby Robbs, board member. The board also includes 15 directors: Jack R. Aho, General Motors Corporation - Service Operations; Raymond Coker, Mercedes-Benz USA; Richard D. Ciesla, DaimlerChrysler Corporation; Vince Claudio, SAFECO Insurance Companies; Michael J. Davis, State Farm Insurance Co., Director-At-Large; John Edelen, Allstate Insurance Company; Terry M. Fortner, Nationwide Insurance; Nick Gojmeric, Nick's SOS Garage Inc. & Collision Plus Auto Body Repair Centers; Rick Jazwin, Universal Technical Institute; Jerry Kottschade, Jerry’s Body Shop for Automotive Service Association; Joran Olsson, Pro Spot International Inc. for Equipment & Tool Institute; Eugene Scambray, Copart; Edward T. Staquet, Lord Fusor Corporation; Ronnie Swygert, Greenwood County Career Center; and Brian Whitcomb, General Motors Corporation and Education Foundation Representative. Any questions regarding the I-CAR Board of Directors or Executive Committee should be directed to Margaret Knell at 847.590.1198, Ext. 222. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2003 I-CAR INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING - AWARD PROFILE: SOUTHWEST REGION
Instructor of the Year Award - Johnny Dickerson
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Congratulations on your award, Johnny!!
Founder’s Award - Barry Hammond
Barry Hammond of Houston, Texas was the I-CAR Southwest Region winner of the Founder’s Award. Barry has become a regular icon to the southwest region for his efforts towards the success of I-CAR. He has been the Houston Committee Chair for three years and is a member of the I-CAR Instructor Advisory Committee. Despite Barry’s demanding job, he always seems to find the time to promote, teach and give direction to I-CAR.
|
Congratulations and thank you, Barry!
|
Congratulations to Mitch Becker of ABRA Auto Body & Glass in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota on receiving the I-CAR North Central Region Instructor of the Year Award. Mitch started in the industry when he was 14 years old and over the course of his career, he has moved through different facets of the collision repair industry. Some of his past duties included light collision repair, refinishing, structural repair and glass replacement. He travels extensively through out the United States and abroad delivering technical repair programs. In his job with ABRA Auto Body & Glass, he is also a technical instructor.
Keep up the good work Mitch!
|
Founder’s Award - Mike Batton
Congratulations to Mike Batton of Farmers Insurance Company in Eagan, Minnesota for receiving the I-CAR North Central Region Founder’s Award. Mike understands the challenges of collision repair from both a technical and business standpoint. He has always seen the need for I-CAR training and raising the professional image of the industry.
Mike has served as a committee chair and volunteers on various committees throughout Minneapolis, Minnesota for the last 10 years. Mike was appointed Minnesota State Chair for three years and is still holding that position today. Since he has been state chair, the Minnesota Committees have prospered in communication and programs being offered.
Congratulations on your award, Mike!
|
Although Herb’s main expertise lies in the mechanical repair processes, his familiarity with the vehicles of today and his personal interests in collision repair have driven him to prepare and instruct the Collision Repair 3000 course. He is also currently preparing to teach the Advanced Structural Parts Steel course.
Herb has worked with the I-CAR Tech Centre on several program review projects, lending his years of experience and technical knowledge to assist in creating the best product possible.
Congratulations on your award Herb!
|
Founders Award - Jim Carlin
Congratulations to Jim Carlin for receiving the I-CAR Northwest Region Founder’s Award! Jim initially became involved with I-CAR in 1980 by attending one of the original courses in Eugene, Oregon. In 1991, after years of supporting I-CAR as a student and committee volunteer, he accepted the responsibility of district chairman where he serves today. During this time he has managed a dedicated committee and helped ensure that I-CAR training was made available to a very large contingency of insurers and collision repairers.
Jim has seen a lot of change in the industry, both in the students’ and the industries’ efforts to secure a viable labor force. He was a critical organizer who rallied the local collision repairer community to save the area’s community college collision repair training program from being closed due to funding cuts. He organized testimonials for hearings and a media blitz focusing on the consumers’ immediate needs for quality collision repair training now and in the future.
Recently, the Oregon State Department of Labor, the I-CAR committee consortium and Jim were able to request and receive a significant grant to be used to assist in training expenses for all levels of personnel. This financial assistance will help reduce some of the educational expenses to local businesses while promoting I-CAR.
In the Eugene, Oregon area Jim has made every effort to bring in instructors from the state to offer a full array of all available programs. He personally manages the scheduling, marketing and facilities for all programs being taught. Jim has stated that there is no way to imagine where or what the industry would be doing today if I-CAR did not exist.
Thank you for your continued support Jim!
|
Mark works for the California State Prison in Lancaster, where he teaches automotive refinish. He is also teaching part-time at Antelope Valley College in Tehachapi, California. Whether in front of an I-CAR class, or working with the students at the prison or at Antelope Valley, he gives his all and his students are the benefactors of his diverse knowledge and experience. Mark possesses all the qualities that constitute an Instructor of the Year recipient. He exemplifies the attitude, dedication and support that are vital to I-CAR and the south pacific region.
Mark, thank you for all that you have done and the lives you have touched. We all look forward to many more years of receiving the vast amount of knowledge you share with those around you.
Founders Award - Larry Darrow
Larry Darrow is from the silver state of Nevada and has been a committee chair for the Las Vegas area for over five years. Larry began as a committee volunteer and within the first couple of months, when the committee chair was relocated, Larry was happy to take on the position.
|
While being involved with I-CAR, Larry has set a standard for students. At the I-CAR South Pacific Regional Conference this year, Larry was the recipient of the "Spirit of Jimmie Alberg" Award. This award emulates the dedication, giving and belief in the I-CAR mission that Jimmie has demonstrated throughout the years. Larry received this award because of his commitment to the collision industry by making available the highest quality, most available and relevant training possible.
Larry, thank you for all your hard work and support!
|
Due to Ed being involved with the development of many Enhanced Delivery courses and his dedication for a positive impact on his students, many specifically request him to instruct future courses. Ed particularly enjoys teaching the new Steering and Suspension course!
For the past few years Ed and his instructing partner Bob Ormsbee, better known as the Dynamic Duo, have taught in the following states: New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Connecticut and Massachusetts. They recently taught in Massachusetts to an enthusiast class of 135 students, one of the largest groups that any I-CAR instructor has taught! No matter what state they are in or which program or course they are instructing, they are making a positive impact within the industry.
I-CAR Northeast Field Manager David Coffey said, "Ed ends his voice mail answering message with the phrase ‘Make it a great day,’ and I believe this exemplifies what type of incredible, positive attitude Ed carries in both life and work. We are very fortunate to have such an enthusiastic individual be involved with the industry for so long because this positive energy will only transfer over to the people he is around."
Congratulations on your award Ed!
Founders Award - Jaime Shewbridge
|
While being qualified to teach 25 different I-CAR Enhanced Delivery courses, Jamie leads the top producing northeast committee that consistently teaches around 2,000 student units a year. Even though this achievement alone would be incredible for any I-CAR volunteer, Jamie also gave birth to her second child this year.
This year, her Maryland state group also designed a local I-CAR web site www.icarmd.com to better service the immediate area with bulletins and class schedules. Also, in October they will be conducting their first Extreme Event.
I-CAR Northeast Field Manager David Coffey said, "Jamie works full time as a Service First Re-inspector for State Farm Insurance, volunteers, instructs 25 different I-CAR courses per year, district chairs for the top student-unit producing Northeast committee and was blessed this year with her and her husbands’ second child. I don’t think there is much more to say when looking at Jamie’s ability to be a role model to others!"
Thank you Jaime for your hard work and support!
|
Jim Young was awarded the Instructor of the Year Award for the I-CAR South Central Region at the I-CAR International Annual Meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. A few years ago, Jim came up to me and stated that he had taken several I-CAR classes and would like to become an instructor. Since becoming qualified in the Enhanced Delivery CR3000 course, he has spent many hours and miles traveling to present this material as well as to take other programs so that he could instruct these as well.
In addition to being an I-CAR instructor, he is also the district chairman of the Memphis, Tennessee District Committee. Through Jim's leadership, the Memphis District was awarded the Goal Achievement Award at the Annual Meeting for having the highest percentage over goal for a district in the south central region this fiscal year.
Early in the year, he saw the need to have a Welding Qualification Test site in the city of Memphis so that the candidates did not have to travel to Little Rock, Arkansas or to Nashville, Tennessee to take the test. Through his persistence and dedicated efforts of working with the local vocational center, Memphis now has a Welding Qualification Test site. He is also employed as the collision facility manager at Chuck Hutton Chevrolet in Memphis. Please join the south central region in congratulating this gentleman on the achievement of this honor.
|
Founders Award - Roy Watkins
Roy Watkins was awarded the Founder's Award for the I-CAR South Central Region at the International Annual Meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Roy started his work with I-CAR in 1991 as an I-CAR Instructor. His classroom skills were immediately evident and he soon became an I-CAR Master instructor and later an Instructor Qualification Facilitator.
As an Instructor Qualification Facilitator, Roy mentors and teaches the necessary skills of conducting I-CAR training to new instructor candidates. He teaches I-CAR mechanical programs within the south central region as well as travels to other regions to present I-CAR training. In addition to instructing, he is the district co-chairman of the Indianapolis, Indiana District Committee.
He also works closely with the I-CAR Tech Centre in the development and piloting of some of the mechanical programs that are being introduced. Roy helped conduct the pilot classes for the Electrical and Electronics Program 2 - Diagnosis, Testing & Repair Of Common Electrical Loads and the Drivability and Emissions Program 1- Emissions Systems Enhanced Delivery programs. He is truly a professional that finds it very difficult to say "no" to when asked to assist in a project.
After receiving the Founder's Award, Roy stated "I am very appreciative of I-CAR for providing me with growth opportunities throughout my career." Roy is employed at the Walker Career Center in Indianapolis, Indiana as an Automotive Service Instructor. Please join the south central region in congratulating Roy Watkins for an award that is truly deserved!
The Canadian award winners will be presented with their awards at the Canadian Collision Industry Congress being held September 18-21, 2003 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto, Ontario.
|
Jimmy Suppe of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida was named the Instructor of the Year for the southeast region in 2003. Jimmy was recognized for the effort he put forth in becoming a great instructor. After he passed the Instructor Qualification Workshop (IQW), completed his home study and team teaching assignment, he continued to work with other, more experienced instructors constantly re-evaluating his performance. He then attended a second IQW to improve his teaching skills. He has surveyed his students, his fellow committee members and other instructors to see if he was improving in the classroom.
Jimmy’s drive to become a great instructor was impressive, to say the least. In addition to all of the hard work involved in becoming a great instructor, Jimmy still serves as the I-CAR Broward County District Chairman and owns and operates a collision repair facility in Ft. Lauderdale.
Founders Award - Bob Zelano
Bob Zelano, of Palm Beach, Florida, was named the Founder’s Award winner for the southeast region in 2003. Bob was recognized for his contributions at the local, state and national level of I-CAR.
Jerry Sopkowiak, I-CAR Southeast Field Manager said "In my sixteen years in the field, I have never seen any one person have such a powerful, positive impact on local and distant committees, the state of Florida and at the national level."
|
Thank you Bob for your continued hard work!
|
Each one of the presentations came from suggestions by instructors at previous annual meetings.
After the presentations the instructors had some time network with each other before loading onto buses for the "Xtreme Instructor Beach Competition" held at the Sheraton Bal Harbour Resort. The instructors braved the heat and broke into teams for serious team building competition.
The team building activities included the Hobo Toss where instructors formed a circle and handed army bags filled with clothing to the tune of music. When the music stopped those left holding the bag had to put on its contents. There was the dreaded Build A Bridge Over Troubled Water, where each team had to build a bridge over mock-gator infested water. The obstacle course was where the weak instructors were weeded out of the pack. Instructors had to pair up and run the course working together because they were tied together with a rope. Volleyball will never be the same when you use a 6-foot size ball in high winds. The last competition was land skies. Instructors stood on long boards, one for the left legs of the team and one for the right legs. The object was to get the team to work together lifting each leg correctly to walk about 20 feet.
|
The champion team for the beach competition was the Orange Roughy Team. Everyone was exhausted from giving the activities their all and were then delighted to be treated to ice cream bars.
Instructors then loaded back onto the busses and returned to hotel where they could relax before the instructor dinner later that evening. At the beginning of the instructor dinner they had a very informative presentation on child seat safety entitled "Safe Kids Program" from Traycier Mitchell-Medina of the Florida Traffic Safety Resource Center. After the meal, the new I-CAR Instructor Support Manager, Todd Hank, was introduced. Todd gave a brief introduction of his philosophy and allowed instructors to ask questions in an open forum session.
|
The evening concluded with Todd visiting each of the instructor tables and allowing them to randomly select the winning raffle tickets for door prizes.
The I-CAR Education Foundation is very excited and pleased to welcome these outstanding individuals to the board. The Foundation also appointed its Executive Committee and Committee Chairs for Fiscal 2004. The Executive Committee members and Committee Chairs are:
Executive Committee:
| Chairman | Brian Whitcomb | General Motors Corporation | |
| Immediate Past-Chair | Donald F. Askew | PPG Industries, Inc. |
|
| Vice Chair | Clark Plucinski | True2Form Collision Repair Centers | |
| Treasurer | Bruce W. Cooley | Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp. | |
| Secretary | Paul J. Huber | Allstate Insurance Company |
Committee Chairs:
| Development | Clark Plucinski | True2Form Collision Repair Centers | |
| Marketing/PR | * Terri McMenamin | Auto Body Repair News (ABRN) | |
| Programs/Services | * Sharon Merwin | CCAR | |
| Trustee | Donald F. Askew | PPG Industries, Inc. |
*Also serves on Executive Committee
In addition to the new Trustees, Executive Committee, and Committee Chairs, the Foundation Board of Trustees consists of: Jim Dickens, CCC Information Services Inc.; John Eager, NAII; Greg Gambrel, Walker Career Center; Nick Gervase, Lord Corporation; Greg Horn, GMAC Insurance; Gloria Mann; Orville Manuel, Oklahoma Department of Career & Technology Education; Freda Thompson, ACE Auto Body; and Jose Vargas, Texas State Technical College. The Trustee Emeriti consist of J. Laurence Costin, CCC Information Services Inc.; Lirel G. Holt, CCAR; Frank D. McGiboney, Insurance Consultant; Chuck S. Sulkala, Acme Body and Paint, Inc.; and Russ Verona, East Rockford Collision Center.
Brian Whitcomb of General Motors Corporation and the Education Foundation Board of Trustee Chair states, "It is a humbling experience to be working with the members of this board, representing each segment of the industry at the highest level. Not only do they donate their time, but they do it with passion and commitment, helping the Foundation to meet our goals."
Ronald W. Ray, Executive Director of the I-CAR Education Foundation says, "The Foundation could not exist without the support, leadership and guidance from our dedicated Board members. The Board is represented by all segments of the collision industry and these individuals will only strengthen our abilities to fulfill the Foundation mission."
Page Last Revised:
webmaster@i-car.com
