About I-CAR - Current Events/News: E-newsletter: 2006 E-newsletter Archives: November 15, 2006

I-CAR is answering the industry's need for training with the new Advanced High-Strength Steel Overview (AHS01) Online Training program. The program addresses the unique repair challenges of new advanced high-strength steels. It also provides an overview of the different types of steels used in late model vehicle construction, addresses reparability concerns, and provides some vehicle maker recommendations on proper repair techniques. Advanced High-Strength Steel Overview offers a unique training opportunity for industry professionals to familiarize themselves with handling this material.

"Advanced high-strength steels are at the forefront of training needs in the collision industry," said I-CAR Technical Development Manager Jason Bartanen. "We're starting to hear a lot of terms such as dual-phase steel, TRIP steel, boron-alloyed steel, and martensitic steel right now. The collision industry is asking a lot of questions about how to work with these different types of steels, such as "How do I remove panels made with these types of steels? Can I straighten these types of steels? What are the proper attachment methods?" This program was developed to address some of these questions, and provide accurate, up-to-date training and information on today's steels."

Topics covered in this Online Training program include:

An overview of the different types of steels used in late model construction vehicles and what can and can't be repaired.
Recommendations from several vehicle makers on proper repair techniques.

I-CAR Online Training programs are unique and contain content not found in I-CAR Live training. The content is designed to supplement programs listed in the I-CAR training paths.

About I-CAR Online Training:

Allows you to train at your convenience.
Are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.
Are 30-60 minutes in length, allowing you to train over your lunch break.
Include interactive exercises, activities, and quizzes that make them both informative and fun.
Offers the ability to learn at your own pace.
Provide an ongoing reference tool - all purchased programs are stored in your personal Online Training library.
Programs may contain vehicle- or procedure-specific information or general collision repair concepts.
Provides online post tests that let you validate what you have learned.
Offers one-quarter (0.25) of a Gold Class point upon successful completion of the post test, which may be applied to the Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual recognition programs.
Provides an instant certificate of completion that you may print upon successful completion of the post test.

Visit www.i-car.com for more information, or to participate in a complimentary demo program to see if Online Training is right for you.

DO YOU KNOW HOW YOU WILL BE AFFECTED ON JANUARY 1?

I-CAR is simplifying the Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual requirements on January 1 will you qualify in 2007?

The following are a few points to remember about the changing requirements:

Existing Gold Class and Platinum designees will be grandfathered into the new requirements. This means that these businesses and individuals will not lose their status during the change.
Only tested training will count after January 1. Generally, this means training completed after 2003, but call customer care or your regional manager if you have questions about whether or not your training will still qualify.
To initially earn a designation after January 1, all individuals will need 10 tested points before applying for the Platinum designation, and all employees at a business working towards Gold Class will need 5 tested points before applying.
To keep the Gold Class or Platinum designation after January 1, all individuals will need 2 points of ongoing training annually. (This applies to the grandfathered designees as well - they will need ongoing training for their first renewal after 2007.)

Additional information, such as an FAQ, can be found on the I-CAR web site. If you need additional assistance to determine how this change will affect you, please call I-CAR customer care at 800.422.7872 or your local regional manager at 800.422.7456.

I-CAR & NACE 2006 RECAP

Working closely with NACE staff, I-CAR provided the NACE attendees with even more technical training information and opportunities this year in Las Vegas.

Along with the debut of the I-CAR Technology Showcase and mobile qualification test (MQT) trucks, over 450 total students attended the I-CAR training programs held on Wednesday and Saturday during NACE 2006.

Make plans now to attend NACE 2007 and allow I-CAR to assist you with all your technical training needs!


	I-CAR staff members were on hand to answer attendee's training questions.

	New to NACE this year, the I-CAR Technology Showcase provided free technical training sessions to event attendees and was well received by all.		Nearly 20 event attendees and local industry professionals took advantage of the new MQT trucks and completed an I-CAR qualification test on site during NACE.

I-CAR STAFF MEMBER BRANDON ECKENRODE EARNS 2006 PRIDE AWARD


	Pictured left to right: NABC President Guy Bargnes, I-CAR Senior Marketing Communications Specialist Brandon Eckenrode, and PRIDE Chair Janet Chaney.

I-CAR Senior Marketing Communications Specialist Brandon Eckenrode was one of three 2006 PRIDE Award recipients honored on Tuesday, October 31 during the Industry Night of Achievement in Las Vegas, Nevada. Every year the National Auto Body Council (NABC) recognizes industry members that perform exceptional humanitarian and benevolent acts of kindness.

"Brandon is an unsung industry hero. He was chosen for this award because of his exemplary service to others," said Janet Chaney, PRIDE Chair. "This award was created to honor and recognize the hard work and selflessness of individuals like Brandon. The collision industry is proud of Brandon's continued efforts to make his community a better place to live."

Brandon of Schaumburg, Illinois, is an accomplished long-distance runner and triathlete, and combines his passion for life and dedication to physical fitness in ways that help serve his community.

Brandon participated in the 2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon in October. He raised just under $5,000 in sponsorship funds for Deborah's Place, a Chicago area shelter for homeless women. During the 2005 Chicago triathlon Brandon raised money for the Schaumburg, Illinois police department with contributions going towards the purchase of "alcohol impairment goggles" to educate the community about the dangers of drinking and driving. Brandon also volunteers as a Schaumburg Snow Angel, shoveling driveways and sidewalks for the elderly and disabled.

Ken Hughes, president of Wiregrass Body and Frame in Enterprise, Alabama and Ron Reichen, president and CEO of Precision Body and Paint in Beaverton, Oregon were also recognized for their service to the community.

"The vision of the NABC - that the collision repair industry be recognized as an essential profession serving the community - is a massively inspiring, overarching, long term goal. For 11 years the PRIDE Award has kept us moving toward that goal, enhancing the image of the industry in the process," said NABC President Guy Bargnes. "Congratulations and thank you to all our PRIDE winners for continuing to do to the right thing."

The National Auto Body Council seeks to promote projects and initiatives that reflect the character and heart of the men and women of the collision industry.

I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES 2006 CRIN INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR

The Collision Repair Instructors Network (CRIN) and the I-CAR Education Foundation are proud to announce the 2006 Instructor of the Year. The Honoree is Leo Bussiere, Jr., a collision repair instructor from Morris County School of Technology in Denville, New Jersey. Bussiere received an expense-paid trip to NACE 2006 where he was recognized for this achievement and honored with a plaque during the annual CRIN Meeting.

Bussiere has been involved in the collision industry for over forty years and has been an instructor since 1982. He has worked tirelessly to continue to recruit students to the collision repair program and place them in jobs within the industry.


	I-CAR Education Foundation 2006 CRIN Instructor of the Year Leo Bussiere, Jr.

In order to recruit students, Bussiere participates in public events, television spots, and is a member of several professional organizations. His work has paid off as his students have been featured on local news segments and documentaries for their great work in giving back to the community. In addition to his work with the school, Bussiere was the I-CAR Instructor of the Year for the Northeast Region in 2000, and received the Randolph N.J. Police Award for Citizenship in 2005.

CRIN is sponsored by the I-CAR Education Foundation and is designed to facilitate the exchange of technical and professional information among school and industry collision repair instructors, school administrators, and industry partners.

Ron Ray, Executive Director of the I-CAR Education Foundation states that: "We have a number of CRIN members that are outstanding in their field, and wish we could honor all of them. Leo does an exemplary job of preparing students for entry-level positions in the collision industry and goes above and beyond the call of duty. We are amazed at his tireless contributions to the future of the industry."

The Executive Committee of the I-CAR Education Foundation's Board of Trustees make the final selection. The Executive Committee consists of:

Chairman Clark Plucinski, True2Form Collision Repair Centers

Vice Chair Paul Huber, Allstate Insurance Company

Treasurer Chris Evans, State Farm Insurance Company

Secretary Steve Seidner, Seidners Collision Centers

Trustee-At-Large Rick Jazwin, UTI

Immediate Past Chair Brian Whitcomb, General Motors Corporation

I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND AKZO NOBEL'S "THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN OF THE COLLISION REPAIR INDUSTRY" ANNOUNCE 2006 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

The I-CAR Education Foundation, in conjunction with Akzo Nobel Coatings, Inc. and The Most Influential Women of the Collision Repair Industry, are proud to award eight young women with scholarships to assist in their education and advancement in the collision industry.

The top scholarship winner in the Secondary category is Lauren Waterbury; a student at Grand River Technical School in Chillicothe, MO. Waterbury will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship to continue her education and career in the collision industry. Arch Haslar, an instructor at Grand River Technical School said, "In my years of teaching, I have known other students with talent equivalent to Lauren's. The qualities that set Lauren apart from those other students are her good nature, easy-going manner, self-discipline, and enthusiasm for and interest in the job she is doing. I think Lauren will be able to accomplish anything she sets her mind to."

The top scholarship winner in the Post-Secondary category is Crystal Beckvold, a student at Owens Community College in Perrysburg, OH. Beckvold will also be awarded a $5,000 scholarship to continue her education and further her career. Jeffrey Howard, an instructor at Owens Community College said, "Miss Crystal Beckvold is one of many ambitious and talented students who attends classes in the Automotive Body Repair Program this academic year. Having had the opportunity to work with most of these students in one or more classes, I am able to identify those who possess a strong desire and commitment to learning and working hard to accomplish their personal goals. Since the first day of her first class, it was easy to see that Crystal was 'all of that and then some!' She came to our school with a plan in place that will no doubt take her as far in the collision industry as she would wish to go!"

In addition to Waterbury and Beckvold, six runner-up scholarships were awarded to students from career and technical schools and colleges around the United States. All of the runners-up will receive a $2,000 scholarship to continue their education. In the Secondary category, the Foundation congratulates: Chelsea Forman from Sentinel Career Center in Tiffin, OH; Jamie Murray from Nichols Career Center in Jefferson City, MO; and Charlene Prante from Warren Tech in Lakewood, CO.

In the Post-Secondary category, the Foundation congratulates: Antonette Meiron from Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, MO; Lee Meyer from Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, WI; and Tasha Vigil-lira from Aims Community College in Greeley, CO.

Ron Ray, Executive Director of the I-CAR Education Foundation added, "It is a pleasure to administer this scholarship program for Akzo Nobel, now in its fourth year, and reward these talented young women and future members of the collision industry for their hard work and dedication. Since 2003, Akzo Nobel has provided $85,000 towards scholarships and related promotional materials. These students have attended collision repair classes at some of the best career and technical schools and colleges in the United States."

A total of 294 career and technical schools and colleges that are ASE-certified to the NATEF standards in collision repair and refinishing received a letter and student application for this scholarship. Both the female student applicant and instructor were asked to write a short essay explaining why the student should be awarded the scholarship.

Established in 1999, The Most Influential Women of the Collision Repair Industry program annually recognizes the leadership contributions that are made by a unique group of individuals that have dedicated themselves to the betterment of this industry and their communities.

The Executive Committee of the Education Foundation’s Board of Trustees made the final selection of winners. The Executive Committee consists of:

Chairman Clark Plucinski, True2Form Collision Repair Centers

Vice Chair Paul Huber, Allstate Insurance Company

Treasurer Chris Evans, State Farm Insurance Company

Secretary Steve Seidner, Seidners Collision Centers

Trustee-At-Large Rick Jazwin, UTI

Immediate Past Chair Brian Whitcomb, General Motors Corporation

GOLD CLASS OWNER HONORED AS ONE OF "THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN OF THE COLLISION REPAIR INDUSTRY"

A special congratulations to Gold Class Professionals business owner Shannon Valdez for her recognition as one of Akzo Nobel's Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry in 2006. She is the owner of Central Collision Center in Draper & Salt Lake City, Utah. Shannon as well as four other women were honored at a reception and awards presentation on Thursday, November 2, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The other honorees include: Sue Jacobson, owner of Auto Industrial Color in West Allis, Wisconsin. Auto Industrial Color often hosts I-CAR classes in its facility. Julie Miller, Global Account Manager, Automotive OEM and Aftermarket for LORD Corporation in Wixom. Michigan; and Vivian Spires, Head Painter for Ryan Chevrolet in Monroe, Louisiana.

I-CAR REFORMATS INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING FOR INDUSTRY

ChampionsGate

In an effort to better serve the industry I-CAR is reconfiguring the I-CAR International Annual Meeting with the theme, "One Industry, One I-CAR." The new format will offer a fresh twist to the familiar while responding to the requests of past attendees. Watch the I-CAR e-newsletter and web site for details on the meeting agenda and be sure to join I-CAR in Orlando, Florida from July 25 - 28 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate.

The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate offers a 15-acre playground. Two Greg Norman designed golf courses feature 36 holes of world-class golf and visitors will also find the world headquarters of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy nearby. There's plenty for non-golfers too; more information about the hotel and local area can be found at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate web site.

Mark your calendars now for this sensational event! As additional details of the upcoming event are released, they will be posted online.

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Page Last Revised: Thursday, November 16, 2006
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