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Current Events/News: E-newsletter: 2007 Archives

2007 I-CAR INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING ONLINE REGISTRATION OPENS

2007 I-CAR International Annual MeetingRegister now and join the rest of the collision industry as it meets under the theme, “One Industry, One I-CAR” at the 2007 I-CAR International Annual Meeting.

In an effort to better serve the industry, I-CAR is reconfiguring its annual meeting to recognize I-CAR volunteers and present exciting opportunities to network with other collision industry professionals, attend I-CAR classes, participate in tech clinics, and much, much more. Join industry professionals and their families for the 2007 I-CAR International Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida July 26 – 28 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate.

Exciting details of this year's event include:

  • I-CAR Classes
  • Tech Clinics
  • 6th Annual I-CAR Education Foundation Golf Tournament
  • Poolside Welcome Party
  • Spouse Program

Visit www.i-car.com and register now to get the “Early Bird” discount. From the I-CAR homepage, select the I-CAR International Annual Meeting option for more information and to register online.

Mark your calendars now for this sensational event! As additional details of the upcoming event are released, they will be posted online and featured in the I-CAR e-newsletter Training Today.

I-CAR VOLUNTEER STEVE CAREY - LYMPHOMA AND THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

I-CAR volunteer Steve Carey is a man on a mission. Ever since he was diagnosed with lymphoma four years ago, he’s been building a support system for others in the collision industry who have the disease. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, one of the causes is benzene, which is a carcinogen found in a lot of paints, lacquers, and thinners.

After some research on his part, he discovered that lymphoma it is a type of cancer that may be showing up in the collision industry workforce. As a result, Carey is asking for anyone diagnosed with cancer or specifically lymphoma to contact him. Right now he’s working with the CDC, Environmental Protection Agency and NIOSH, a division of OSHA, to determine how widespread it is in the industry. This is in an effort to develop additional best practices and safety standards and possibly apply for grants and other funding to get the word out and start research into prevention and cures. Carey says he would also like to get a fund together for men and women in the industry to help with living expenses, medical costs, and other expenses.

Carey wants to caution collision industry professionals who work around these dangerous materials every day. “Auto body professionals should wear all of the required protective gear, including masks, eye protection, and gloves to avoid getting paint and chemicals on their skin. Benzene and other toxic substances can be absorbed through the skin as well as inhaled,” said Carey. He also recommends regular check ups and physicals, since a drop in white cell counts could indicate a bigger problem.

Carey wants to be clear that this is not a smear campaign and he is not trying to place blame with paint companies. “I want to find a positive way to implement protections in repair facilities and raise funds to help cancer patients and their families,” said Carey.

Carey is an active I-CAR volunteer and has served as the I-CAR District Chairman of Committee #0322 in Jacksonville, Florida for nine years and is also a founder and Vice President of Jacksonville Collision Repair Educational Foundation. Under his leadership, the committee has built a relationship with Florida Community College at Jacksonville, bringing I-CAR curriculum there, and establishing qualification tests at the college. The committee has maintained a permanent classroom for I-CAR classes with space donated by Enterprise Rent-a-Car in Jacksonville. The committee has also hosted several successful golf tournaments for the I-CAR Education Foundation. Carey was also last year’s Founders award winner for the Southeast Region.

“Steve Carey is really game for anything,” said I-CAR Southeast Regional Manager Jerry Sopkowiak. “He likes to roll up his sleeves and get things done.” 

If you or a loved one is currently battling cancer or is now cancer-free and you would like to share your story, please contact Steve Carey at chairmanjaxicar@msn.com. All information shared will be kept confidential.

GOLD CLASS BUSINESS PRESIDENT APPOINTED NACE 2007 CHAIRMAN

Darrell Amberson, President of Gold Class Professionals designated business Lehman’s Garage Inc. in Bloomington, Minnesota, has been appointed as the NACE 2007 Event Chairman. As chairman, Amberson will lead a 25 member NACE Attendee Advisory Council in logistics and continual improvement of NACE.

“I am proud of the fact that I will help direct the focus and drive behind NACE 2007,” states Amberson. “As president of Lehman’s Garage, a Gold Class Professionals designated business; I know what knowledgeable and well-trained collision industry professionals are looking for when attending NACE. My 36-year long career proves that I am familiar with all sectors of the industry; in other words, my background will be an asset to this appointment, one in which I hope to serve well in.”

Amberson’s career began in the dealership sector of the industry before moving to an independent repair facility, primarily as the body shop manager before becoming president of Lehman’s Garage in 2002. Under Amberson’s leadership, Lehman’s Garage earned the Gold Class designation in August 2004.

NACE 2007 will be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), October 31 – November 3, 2007.

GOLD CLASS PROFESSIONALS BUSINESSES EARN 15 YEARS

Gold ClassAn elite group of only 42 businesses has qualified for the Gold Class Professionals designation for at least 15 consecutive years! I-CAR would like to congratulate and thank the following businesses for their exceptional commitment to collision repair training.

Businesses that have earned 15 consecutive years of the Gold Class Professionals status are listed below in the order that they joined the program.

JOINED 1990
EAST ROCKFORD COLLISION CENTER ROCKFORD IL 8/31/1990
ERIC'S AUTO CENTER SOUTH TUCSON AZ 8/31/1990
REDS BODY SHOP WASHINGTON NJ 10/10/1990
EXCEL AUTO BODY INC MARION IN 10/12/1990
TOP SERVICE BODY SHOP COOS BAY OR 10/15/1990
DANLAR COLLISION ALBUQUERQUE NM 11/30/1990
JACKSON'S BODY SHOP SALEM OR 12/5/1990
COLLISION PLUS INC SWANSEA IL 12/20/1990
AUTO BODY UNLIMITED INC-SIMI VALLEY SIMI VALLEY CA 12/31/1990
JOINED 1991
FLORIDA AUTO BODY INC FORT LAUDERDALE FL 1/4/1991
MARSHALL AUTO BODY WAUKESHA WI 1/18/1991
SCHOONOVER BODYWORKS INC ST. PAUL MN 1/31/1991
WICKLUNDS CARSTAR LIBERTY MO 2/7/1991
CRYSTAL LAKE AUTOMOTIVE INC LAKEVILLE MN 2/8/1991
B & B AUTO SPECIALTIES FISHKILL NY 2/12/1991
BROADWAY AUTO BODY REBUILDERS INC CHICAGO HEIGHTS IL 3/27/1991
HAYES CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH LAWRENCEVILLE GA 3/27/1991
ROTH & MILLER AUTOBODY INC PORTLAND OR 3/27/1991
TOMMY'S AUTO BODY ALBUQUERQUE NM 4/2/1991
AA COLLISION REPAIR INC OMAHA NE 5/6/1991
HUNT AUTO BODY FAIRLESS HILLS PA 5/8/1991
WESBEN BODY & FENDER GWYNN OAK MD 5/13/1991
MASTER CRAFT AUTO BODY OF MANASSAS PARK MANASSAS PARK VA 5/17/1991
GAPSCH'S CARSTAR COLLISION CENTER ST LOUIS MO 5/28/1991
DOWNTOWN GARAGE-AUTO BODY FREDERICKSBURG VA 6/7/1991
AUTOBODY BY CALDWELL LAGUNA HILLS CA 6/20/1991
ADVANCED AUTO BODY MOUNTAIN HOME AR 6/24/1991
CAR CRAFTERS ALBUQUERQUE NM 7/8/1991
L W AUTO BODY SALT LAKE CITY UT 7/8/1991
JERRY'S BODY SHOP MANKATO MN 8/2/1991
DICKERSON'S COLLISION REPAIR SERVICE GARLAND TX 10/7/1991
I-CAR TECH CENTRE APPLETON WI 10/21/1991
BILL CURRIE FORD TAMPA FL 11/5/1991
GLEN'S AUTO BODY WAUKESHA WI 11/5/1991
TALMAN AUTO REBUILDERS CHICAGO IL 12/1/1991
CLINTON BODY SHOP CLINTON MS 12/3/1991
TENNESSEE COLLISION REPAIR ALCOA TN 12/3/1991
TECH-COR INC WHEELING IL 12/4/1991
DAVE'S AUTO BODY & GLASS ROCKFORD WA 12/10/1991
DAVE'S AUTO BODY & GLASS ROCKFORD WA 12/10/1991
FLORENCE AUTO BODY INC OMAHA NE 12/12/1991
GUSTAFSON BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE HUNTINGTON BEACH CA 12/23/1991

"The incredible dedication shown by these businesses over the years is a testament to the value of earning and maintaining the Gold Class Professionals designation," explained I-CAR Director of Business Development and North American Operations Rick Tuuri. "On behalf of I-CAR, and as a vehicle owner, I would like to sincerely thank these businesses for being progressive enough to understand the importance of proper collision repair training."

I-CAR RECOGNIZES NEW AND LONG-TERM GOLD CLASS BUSINESSES

Gold ClassThe following businesses have maintained their Gold Class Professionals designation for at least ten consecutive years as of November 2, 2006. They are listed alphabetically by the region's state or province. 

The Gold Class Professionals program continues to grow and welcomed over 250 new businesses between November 2, 2006 and January 1, 2007. I-CAR would like to commend these businesses on their commitment to collision repair training.

I-CAR is grateful for the dedication shown by all of its Gold Class Professionals designated businesses, and looks forward to the time when every person in the collision industry has the necessary technical knowledge and skills relevant to their position to achieve complete and safe repairs.

Please note: Gold Class Professionals recognition appears bi-monthly in the I-CAR e-newsletter. The next recognition article will appear in a March 2007 edition.

I-CAR Gold Class Professionals Business Consecutive 10 or More Years I-CAR Gold Class Professionals Business Consecutive 10 or More Years (150K) in Adobe Acrobat Format
I-CAR Gold Class Professionals Business Consecutive 15 or More Years I-CAR Gold Class Professionals Business Consecutive 15 or More Years ( 90K) in Adobe Acrobat Format

I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRATEFUL TO ALL FISCAL 2006 AND 2007 CONTRIBUTORS

I-CAR Education FoundationThe I-CAR Education Foundation would like to thank everyone that contributed and offered support during Fiscal 2006 and 2007 to date. “The financial support of the collision industry is critical to help in our mission to attract young people into the industry and develop the latest training materials for their schools,” said Ron Ray, Executive Director of the Education Foundation. “This support allows us to operate independently of I-CAR to develop the products, programs, and services that we have today, such as collisionkids.org and collisioncareers.org web sites and the PACE+ST3 apprenticeship program, and to continue to develop innovative ideas and recruiting materials for career and technical schools and colleges.”

Over the past several years, the Education Foundation has also seen an increase in support from the I-CAR Gold Class Professionals businesses. “I-CAR is extremely pleased to see Gold Class Professionals businesses donating to such a worthy cause,” commented I-CAR Director of Business Development and North American Operations Rick Tuuri. “These businesses have already demonstrated a commitment to training, and donating to the I-CAR Education Foundation extends their commitment to investing in the future of the collision industry. I-CAR is proud to serve such dedicated professionals.”

The companies, individuals, career and technical schools and colleges, and I-CAR volunteer committees listed below have not only contributed financially to the I-CAR Education Foundation, but have also donated much of their time. The I-CAR Education Foundation staff, Chris Baldwin – Graphics, Media & Web Designer; Melissa Marscin – Sr. Products & Services Specialist; Ron Ray – Executive Director; Michelle Shotkoski – Planning & Project Manager; Russell Thrall III – Technical Services Manager; and Stacy Zarr – Products & Services Specialist, would like to thank these companies and individuals for their continued support.

* Indicates a company that has financially contributed to the I-CAR Education Foundation for at least the last ten years.
** Indicates a company that has earned the I-CAR Gold Class Professionals designation.
(Current at the time of publication)
***Indicates a company that has contributed to Golf Outings.

***
3M Automotive Aftermarket Division
**
Hunt's Auto
**
A-1 Collision Repair
***
I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees
**
AA Collision Repair
 
Impact Vehicle Damage Erasure
**
ABRA Auto Body & Glass
 
Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR)
***
ABRN
***
Irish Waters Golf Club
 
ACME Body & Paint Co., Inc.
 
J.C. Auto & Truck
***/**
APS Fox Valley
 
Jacksonville Collision Repair Educational Foundation
**
Addison Auto Center
**
JM Lexus
**
Advantage Collision Center
 
Kallemeyn Auto Rebuilders, Inc.
 
Airport Auto Body, Inc.
 
Karajen Corp
***
Akzo Nobel Coatings, Inc.
 
Karl Weis Auto Body Shop, Inc.
*
Allstate Insurance Company
 
Kay Jay’s Service
 
American Family Insurance
*/**
Keizer Collision Center, Inc.
 
Amica Mutual Insurance Company
**/***
Ken’s Auto Body, Inc.
***
Anaheim Auto Body Repair
 
KerenOr Consultants
**
Anchor Auto Body
 
Kirmac Collision Services
**/***
Anderson Behel Body Shop
 
Kirschenman, Karl
**
Andy’s Auto Body of Alton, Inc.
 
Knell, Margaret
 
Anthony’s Body Shop Inc.
 
Kumler Collision Inc.
 
Auto Collision, Inc.
**
Kuroda Autobody Inc.
**
Auto Craft Collision Repair, Inc.
 
La Prairie’s Body Shop
*
Automotive Service Association (ASA)
**
Lacey Collision Center
*/**
Avondale-Orsahl CARSTAR
**
Leitherer Body Shop, Inc.
***
Baer Paints & Supplies
***
Les Stumpf Ford
 
Barrington, Lori
 
Liberty Mutual Insurance
***
Bartanen, Carole and Bruce
**
Little John’s Bodyworks
***
Bartanen, Jackie
**
Livonia Collision of Mich., LTD
***
Bartanen, Janene
***
LKQ Corporation/Star Auto Parts
***
Bartanen, Jason
***
Lord Corporation
***
Bartanen’s Auto Body
 
Los Osos Auto Body, Inc.
***
BASF Corporation
 
Lou Ehlers Cadillac
 
Baudoux, Lon
**
Lovegrove Collision Centre
***
Bay Auto Body Association
**
Luke Fruia Motors
***
BC Marketing
**
M & M Auto Collision, Inc.
***
Behel Body Shop
***
Manheim Auto Body Repair
 
Bill Denny’s Body Repair, Inc.
 
Marks, Steven
*/**
Bill’s Auto Body Inc
***
McGee Family
***
Bob Burns Golf
 
McKeesport Auto Body
 
Body & Paint Center of Hudson, MA., Inc.
*
MetLife Auto & Home
**
Body Best Collision Center Inc.
 
MI I-CAR Committee
***
Boettcher Family
 
Mike’s Autocrafts Inc.
***
Borchardt Family
**
Miles Collision Center
**
Border Autobody Ltd.
***
Miller Electric Manufacturing
**
Bowen Scarff Ford
***
Milwaukee Admirals
**
Bradshaw Collision Repair #1, LLC
***
Milwaukee Brewers
**
Bryn Mawr Auto Body, Inc.
***
Milwaukee Bucks
***
Caliber Collision Centers
***
Minzlaff, Mark, State Farm Insurance
 
California State Automotive Association (CSAA)
***
Miracle Strip Body Shop
 
Carey’s Auto Body, Inc.
**
Modern Auto Body (Brockton, MA)
**
Carmat Collision Center
*/**
Modern Auto Body (Glendale, CA)
*/***
CAR-O-LINER Company
**
Motor City Collision Centers
***
CARSTAR
**
Motor Guard Corporation
*
CARSTAR Yorkville
**
Mulroy’s Body Shop, Inc.
**
CARSTAR, Berlin
**
Nashville Auto Diesel College (NADC)
**
Cascade Collision
*
Nationwide Insurance Foundation
***
CCAR
 
Northern VA I-CAR Committee
*
CCC Information Services, Inc.
 
Northwest Auto Body & Paint Specialists Inc.
***
Celette, Inc.
***
Notte, Nick, I-CAR Executive Committee
**
Champion Chevrolet
**/***
Oakland Auto Body
**
Charles Henry Co., Inc.
**/***
Old Dominion CARSTAR Collision
***
Chicago Cubs
**
On The Mark-CARSTAR
 
Chicago West I-CAR Committee
**
Original Fender Mender Inc.
***
Chicago White Sox
 
Ottum, Jolinda
*
Chief Automotive Systems
**
Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac
***
Ciesla, Rick, I-CAR Executive Committee
**
Parkville Auto Body, Inc.
***
Clarity Corporation
**
Parkway Body Shop
**
Clarksville Auto Center, Inc.
**
Parrish Body Shop II, Inc.
**
Collex Collision Experts
**
Patterson Auto Body, Inc.
**
Collision Plus Inc.
**
Paul Ries & Sons, Inc.
**
Collision Solutions, Inc.
 
Pincus, Shirley
***
CollisionWeek
***
PLIOGRIP By Valvoline
 
Colonial Dodge, Inc.
*
PPG Industries, Inc.
 
Columbus Collision Education
 
Precision Auto Body, Inc.
 
Complete Claims Service
**
Preferred Autobody, Inc.
***
Comfort Suites
***
Print Source Plus, Inc.
***
Computer World
**
Prochilo Bros Auto
***
Copart Auto Auctions
**
Professional Auto Body
 
Costin, J. Laurence
***
PRO SPOT
*
Country Companies Insurance
***
Quality Body Shop
*
Crest Industries, Inc.
**
Quality Body Works, Inc.
***
CSi Complete
 
Ranken Technical College
***
Custom Metal Shearing
 
Ray, Ron
 
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
 
Rick’s Auto Body, Inc.
**
Dalton Collision, Inc.
**
Riley & Sons Inc
**
Danlar Collision, Inc.
**
Riverdale Body Shop
 
Dave Backer Auto Body Inc.
***
Road America
**
Dealer Collision Center
***
Robbs, Robby, I-CAR Executive Committee
 
Dick Taylor Collision Services
**
Roger Beasley Collision Center
***
Dilisio, Lou
 
Rohloff, Eric
**
Don’s Auto Body
 
Ron Wise Auto Body Inc.
**
East Rockford Collision Center, Inc.
 
S & W Expert Collision Repair
 
Eckenrode, Brandon
***
Schneider National, Inc.
**
Eckhart Auto Body, Inc.
**/***
Seidner’s Collision Centers
***
Edelen, John, I-CAR Executive Committee
***
Sentry Insurance
***
Efficient Electric
***
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp.
 
Elegant Motor Car Works, LLC.
 
Shotkoski, Michelle
 
EMC Insurance Companies
***
Snap-on
***
Enlow, Rod, I-CAR Executive Committee
***
Society of Collision Repair Specialist
*
Erie Indemnity
 
South Lyon Collision, Inc.
**
Excel Auto Body, Inc.
 
Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company
***
Faith Quality Autobody Inc.
**/***
Sports & Imports Collision, Inc.
**
Fantastic Finishes of Palm Beach, Inc.
 
St. Paul Travelers Companies
***
Fast Signs
*/**
State Farm Insurance Companies
***
FedEx Express
 
Streubel, Lynn
***
FedEx Freight
**
Suburban Collision Centers, Inc.
***
Finishmaster Automotive & Industrial Paint
***
Sulkala, Chuck
 
Five J’s Auto Parts, Inc.
**
Superior Collision Center
**
Fix Auto
 
Syverson Auto Body, Inc.
 
Flanagan, Krista
**
Tameron Automotive Group, Inc.
*
Foothill Auto Body
***
Tessen Family
 
Frank’s Auto Collision Center
**
Travis Auto Body
 
Frank’s Auto Rebuilders Inc.
***
Tommy Bahama’s – San Jose
 
Gardner Paint & Body, Inc.
***
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
*
GEICO Philanthropic Foundation
 
Triangle Body
 
GMAC Insurance
**
Triangle Front-End & Frame Service
***
Goodson, Jerome and Family
**
Tri-Coat Inc. DBA Spectrum Ina Road Auto Collision
*/**/***
Goss Auto Body, Inc.
*/**/***
True2Form Collision Repair
 
Greg & Bill’s Auto Collision, Inc.
***
ULINE
**
Greg’s Collision Center
 
Universal Technical Institute (UTI)
 
Hayes Brothers Collision Repair in Elk Grove, CA
 
Urethane Supply Company
 
Hayes Brothers Collision Repair in Sacramento, CA (95814)
*
USAA Foundation
 
Hayes Brothers Collision Repair in Sacramento, CA (95825)
***
VeriFacts Automotive
 
Hayes Brothers Collision Repair in Woodland, CA
**
Virginia Collision Consultant Services, Inc.
***
Hendler, Jeff
**
Wicklund’s CARSTAR Collision Repair Center
***
Hertz Corporation
***
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
 
Hi-Tech Auto Body of Chicago
**
Woodland Auto Body
**
Hub South Chrysler Jeep, Inc.
**
Zara’s Collision Center, Inc.

If you are interested in learning more about the I-CAR Education Foundation or would like to make a tax-deducible contribution, please visit us online at www.ed-foundation.org

LIVE SITES AND THE NEW MOBILE TRUCKS - THE I-CAR QUALIFICATION TEST PROGRAM HAS YOU COVERED

Either through the 100+ live qualification test sites available across North America or the new Mobile Qualification Test (MQT) program, I-CAR is making it more convenient for the industry to complete one of the recognized I-CAR qualification tests.

Whether you complete an I-CAR QT at your facility or an approved test site, the points earned will apply to the Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual program.

Live QT Sites

I-CAR has approved QT sites across North America. To search for upcoming QTs in your area:

  • Visit the I-CAR class schedules web site
  • Select  “Qualification Test” under “Class Type”
  • Enter only your ZIP/ Postal Code in as this will provide you with a broader search for QTs
  • Select “Go”

Remember that I-CAR QTs are only available through pre-registration and pre-payment. Available seats fill quickly so be sure to schedule now for early 2007 QTs.

MQT Program

The collision industry asked for more convenient hands-on testing, and I-CAR listened. I-CAR launched the new I-CAR MQT program and the trucks are available to deliver all three of its industry recognized QTs to individual business sites.

Requesting additional information about the I-CAR MQT program is easy!

  • Send an e-mail to mqtinfo@i-car.com
  • In the subject line of the e-mail type: “Bring the I-CAR MQT to me!
  • In the body of the e-mail include your:
    • business name
    • contact individual
    • mailing address
    • phone
    • fax 

After submitting your information, an I-CAR MQT Scheduler/Dispatcher will contact you to discuss specific details of the program. You may also view additional information about the MQT program by visiting the qualification test section online at www.i-car.com.

QUICK PICS: I-CAR CLASSES FILLING UP IN AUSTRALIA

Program Instructor Larry Hults seen here speaking to the class.



I-CAR in Australia CEO Richard Pratt and Program Instructor Larry Hults pictured front and center with I-CAR class attendees.

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Page Last Revised: Friday, January 26, 2007
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