I-CAR program instructor Larry Hults taught an extensive number of I-CAR classes in New Zealand from March 30 - May 9, 2006. On an annual basis, an I-CAR program instructor has traveled to New Zealand and other international locations to teach a series of I-CAR classes.

During this trip Hults traveled to nine different locations from the North Island to the South Island: starting with a two-day instructor seminar in Auckland, classes in Napier, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Wellington (New Zealand’s capital), Christchurch, Queenstown, Invercargill, and Dunedin. The classes were largely attended by: repair technicians; apprentices; insurance estimators, adjustors and appraisers; facility owners; and managers.

While Hults has taught I-CAR classes for 18 years, he worked for Allstate Insurance for 36, most recently as a National & Regional Claims Manager until he retired two years ago. He admits that since retirement he has had time to travel abroad and do more extensive work for I-CAR. 

"We all have the same goal," said Hults. "Everyone, not just industry professionals in the United States, would like the means to achieve a complete and safe repair and identify what needs to be done for a proper repair. With I-CAR top-notch technical training, we help everyone from collision to insurance professionals achieve that goal in the U.S. and all over the world."

In addition to his dedication as a program instructor, Hults has also served on the Gold Class Advisory Committee since 2003.

Hults taught a number of I-CAR classes in New Zealand including but not limited to:

• Electric and Electric Hybrid Vehicles (ALT01) 
• Automotive Foams (FOM01)
• Plastic Welding Repair (PLA01)
• Plastic Adhesive Repair (PLA02)
• Steel Unibody Front and Rear Rails, Floors, and Front Structure (SPS01)
• Steel Unibody A-,B-,C-, D-Pillars, and Rocker Panels (SPS02)
• Wind Noise and Water Leaks (WNW01)
• Structural Aluminum Design and Repair Processes (SPA01)

Are you interested in attending the I-CAR classes above or others? Visit I-CAR online to see a full listing of the available technical training programs.

Tiffany Wetherell, a student at Warren Tech in Lakewood, Colorado, took home a first place win in the state SkillsUSA competition in Colorado Springs, Colorado at Pikes Peak Community College on April 28. She was the only woman to compete at this event and took first in the secondary division in collision repair. Just last year she finished third.

Wetherell has a reason to celebrate this accomplishment and many others now that she has found a path she excels in. "I started on the path to the auto collision industry when I was 16 years old, with no experience and not a lot of direction. I never liked conventional school and although I had good grades, I couldn't cope with high school. Once I dropped out of school, I started at Warren Tech and actually see a bright future for myself," said Wetherell.

Wetherell has been a student at Warren Tech for three years and returned for an extra year to complete the ASE/NATEF Structural program and learn more about shop management. She has already completed the ASE/NATEF Non-Structural program. She completed her GED at Warren Tech and was chosen by her peers to serve as President of the school’s SkillsUSA Club. The auto collision program at Warren Tech is run like a typical collision repair facility. Wetherell worked as a student general manager this semester; doing customer service, taking care of equipment, ordering parts, writing estimates, etc. Due to all of her hard work, her peers voted her "quality worker" of the session on more than one occasion. Plus, she’s completed the work for 24 I-CAR classes and is scheduled to take the Automotive Steel GMA (MIG) Welding Qualification Test this month. 

"Her hard work and dedication makes her a role model to other students," said Warren Tech and I-CAR program instructor Laura Angell. "She does a lot of work at home and on her own time so that she can devote all of her time in the classroom to live coursework. She is a great example of someone who gives 110% and wants to grow and excel in the collision industry." 

Not only is she a student she also works. For the past two years, Tiffany has worked at Bear Creek Auto Body also in Lakewood Colorado, handling parts for the shop through ordering, invoicing, and returns. Recently, she was promoted to Collision Repair Assistant, working on the facility floor doing the type of work she loves.

Looking down the road, Wetherell sees a natural progression in her career from a line technician to production manager to her ultimate goal to become a repair facility owner.

"Since joining the collision industry, I have accomplished many hurdles and have become successful in this field like I never would have expected," said Wetherell. "My future is now an open door thanks to the teachers and I-CAR and I-CAR Education Foundation staff that support the Warren Tech Auto Collision program. My family and friends have also been behind me the whole way."

Wetherell will go on to compete in the National SkillsUSA competition for collision repair in Kansas City, Missouri on June 19. 

Out of the nearly 600 surveys that were submitted, five were randomly selected to receive a $20 gift certificate from Best Buy. 

Thank you again for your participation in the survey and being an I-CAR e-newsletter subscriber. We plan on continuing this type of e-newsletter survey in the future so please participate in those and best of luck in future drawings!

The winners are:

Cliff Fosse
SafeCo Insurance
Hoffman Estates, IL 

John Riley
St. Paul Travelers Ins.
Richmond, VA 

Armando Carlo de Santis
Car Kraft Auto Body
Englewood, NJ 

Jason Rhoades
Perfection One Collision Center
Chillicothe, OH 

Tony Passwater
AEII
Indianapolis, IN

I-CAR participates in local industry trade shows on many different levels. Whether it is exhibiting at the events, conducting classes, or providing training material to the attendees, many I-CAR program instructors, committee members, and volunteers utilize these local events to help inform the industry of the latest I-CAR training initiatives.

Below is an event where I-CAR employees and volunteers will be participating:

North Central Region - 5^th Annual Collision Industry Awareness Event
Naperville, Illinois - September 12

If planning to attend the trade show, sign-up for the following I-CAR Training Program:

Steering and Suspension Damage Analysis (DAM06)

• Identifying Steering and Suspension System Types
• Understanding Steering and Suspension System Part Terminology
• Understanding Steering and Suspension Alignment Angles
• Diagnosing Damage to Steering and Suspension Systems

Pre-registration will be available soon, please see www.chicagowest.org for general information.

Stay tuned to future e-newsletter editions for additional upcoming local trade shows. If your local I-CAR group is participating in a tradeshow and would like to see it promoted in the I-CAR e-newsletter, please contact I-CAR Senior Marketing Communications Specialist Brandon Eckenrode.