The event, now in its second year, offers educational opportunities for managers, owners, estimators and technicians.

Pugh is a manufacturer representative, business advisor and consultant with more than three decades in the industry.

The meeting brought together the collision repair industry in the region for education and networking.

Tom Ogaz Installed as Chair of CAWA's 2024 Board of Directors

Ogaz and other key officers were sworn in during the organization's annual dinner gala held as part of Industry Week. 

Written by Autobody News Staff
PublishedNov. 13, 2023

Tom Ogaz, general manager of Parts Authorityin Southern California, was officially installed as the chair of the Board of Directors for the California Automotive Wholesalers' Association (CAWA) during the organization's annual dinner gala held as part of Industry

Ian Musselman Appointed to CAWA Board of Directors

Musselman serves as senior vice president of government affairs for LKQ Corporation.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Oct. 25, 2023

Ian Musselman of LKQ Corporation has been appointed to CAWA’s Board of Directors.

“I am pleased to announce that Ian is joining the CAWA Board of Directors," said Young Suhr Jr., chair of the board. "He is a welcomed addition to our leadership with his experience and government affairs acumen. I look forward to Ian’s

Lee Rodgers Appointed to CAWA's Board of Directors

PublishedAug. 22, 2023

Lee Rodgers has been appointed to CAWA’s Board of Directors representing Automotive Parts Associates (APA).  

“I am pleased to announce that APA’s Lee Rodgers is joining the CAWA Board of Directors," said Young Suhr Jr., chair of the Board of Directors. "He is a welcomed addition to our leadership. I look forward to his participation and contributions to CAWA in assisting the association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive care industry organization."

Rodgers started his career in 2006 with Main Gate, Inc. as a distribution center manager and

Terry McCauley Appointed to CAWA's Manufacturers' Advisory Council

PublishedAug. 3, 2023

Terry McCauley of Niterra North America has been appointed to CAWA’s Manufacturers’ Advisory Council. 

“I have known Terry for some time, appreciate his commitment to the industry and am pleased to announce that he is joining the CAWA Manufacturers’ Advisory Council," said Young Suhr Jr., chair of the Board of Directors. "I look forward to his participation and contributions to CAWA in assisting the association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive care industry organization."

McCauley is a seasoned veteran in the automotive aftermarket

Jake Boggs Appointed to CAWA's Board of Directors

PublishedJuly 21, 2023

Jake Boggs of Undercar Plushas been appointed to CAWA’s Board of Directors. 

“I am pleased to announce that Jake Boggs is joining the CAWA Board of Directors," said Young Suhr Jr., chair of the Board of Directors. "He is a welcomed addition to our leadership. I look forward to Jake’s participation and contributions to CAWA in assisting the association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive care industry organization."

Boggs has spent 25 years in the automotive aftermarket in various positions within sales, operations, marketing, purchasing and product

Bryan Riske Appointed to CAWA's Manufacturers' Advisory Council

PublishedJuly 14, 2023

Bryan Riske of First Brands Group has been appointed to CAWA’s Manufacturers’ Advisory Council. 

“I am pleased to announce that Bryan is joining the CAWA Manufacturers’ Advisory Council representing First Brands Group," said Young Suhr Jr., chair of the Board of Directors. "I look forward to his participation and contributions to CAWA in assisting the association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive care industry organization."

Riske started his career in the aftermarket in 2016. He spent a significant amount of time in the tire industry,

CAWA Announces Another Automotive High School Teacher Scholarship Award Winner

PublishedJuly 12, 2023

CAWA, representing the automotive parts industry, is pleased to announce another recipient of its automotive high school teachers' scholarship awards. Through the Motorcar Parts of America-Selwyn Joffe Awards, CAWA provides scholarships to high school teachers to support their automotive programs. 

"CAWA is proud to assist automotive high school teachers, in part, to assure their programs remain viable and well-resourced for the benefit of their students and our industry," said Rodney Pierini, president and CEO, in announcing the award.

The recipient of the recent

David Simms Elected CAWA's 2024 Secretary to the Board of Directors

PublishedJuly 10, 2023

At the CAWA June Leadership & Educational Forum, David Simms, a NAPAmulti store owner, was elected the 2024 secretary to the Board of Directors. 

Other officers for the 2024 year include Chair Tom Ogaz of the Parts Authority, Vice-Chair Wayne Schaack of the Pronto Network, Treasurer Dan Hanson Jr.of Hanson Distributing Company and Immediate Past Chair Young Suhr Jr.of APW-Knox Seeman Warehouse.

Shortly after purchasing a small auto parts store 12 years ago, Simms

Members of the Glendale/Foothill chapter of the California Autobody Association (CAA) recently came together at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills, CA, to network, learn from one another and hear about topical issues impacting the collision industry.

Part of the June 20 event included a presentation from Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS). Schulenburg shared insight on the SCRS Blend Study Report: A comparative analysis between full refinish and blend operations.

The event was supported by Annex Automotive &

Lentz Appointed to CAWA's Manufacturers' Advisory Council

PublishedJune 12, 2023

Scott Lentz of MANN+HUMMEL–Purolator Filtershas been appointed to CAWA’s Manufacturers’ Advisory Council.

“I am pleased to announce that another pro in the aftermarket, Scott Lentz, is joining the CAWA Manufacturers’ Advisory Council," said Young Suhr Jr., chair of the Board of Directors. "I look forward to his participation and contributions to CAWA in assisting the association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive care industry organization."

Lentz has 28 years of automotive aftermarket experience, starting with DANA Corporation-Parts Craft

John Rupert Appointed to CAWA’s Manufacturers' Advisory Council

PublishedMay 15, 2023

John Rupert of XGM Automotive Inc. has been appointed to CAWA’s Manufacturers’ Advisory Council.

“I am pleased to announce that longtime automotive associate John Rupert is joining the CAWA Manufacturers’ Advisory Council," said Young Suhr Jr., chair of the Board of Directors. "I look forward to John’s participation and contributions to CAWA in assisting the association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive care industry organization."

Rupert has 52 years of service in the automotive industry of which 35 have been devoted to automotive lighting. He

NWACA Holds Successful Inaugural Collision Training Expo

Written by Abby Andrews, Autobody News
Published May 10, 2023

The Northwest Auto Care Alliance (NWACA) held its first Collision Training Expo (CTE) on May 6 at Clover Park Technical School in Lakewood, WA.

Forty people attended the all-day training and exhibition event designed for collision shops, by collision shops. The classes---several of which were hands-on---consisted of training for managers, owners, estimators and technicians, with trainers from leading industry names like CCC,

Jason Caldwell Appointed to CAWA's Board of Directors

PublishedMay 10, 2023

Jason Caldwell of RPS Marketing has been appointed to CAWA’s Board of Directors.

“I am pleased to announce that Jason Caldwell is joining the CAWA Board of Directors," said Young Suhr Jr., chair of the Board of Directors. "He has participated in the association’s Manufacturers Advisory Council for some time and now the board. I look forward to Jason’s continued participation and contributions to CAWA in assisting the association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive care industry organization."

Caldwell is starting his 20th year with RPS Marketing, where he

Dan Rader Appointed to CAWA’s Manufacturers' Advisory Council

PublishedMay 9, 2023

Dan Rader of Mevotechhas been appointed to CAWA’s Manufacturers' Advisory Council.

“We are pleased to have Dan join our leadership team and contribute to our discussions of current and future industry issues," said Young Suhr Jr., chair of the Board of Directors. “We look forward to his participation and contributions which will assist the association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive aftermarket industry organization."

Rader is the U.S. sales team’s vice president of sales for Mevotech. He will focus on the U.S. WD business and new business

Uzzardo Appointed to CAWA’s Manufacturers' Advisory Council

PublishedMay 2, 2023

Vinni Uzzardo of Standard Motor Products (SMP) has been appointed to CAWA’s Manufacturers' Advisory Council.

“We are pleased to have Vinni join our leadership team and contribute to our discussions of current and future industry issues," said Young Suhr Jr., chair of the Board of Directors. “We look forward to his participation and contributions which will assist the association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive aftermarket industry organization."

Uzzardo has 38 years of automotive aftermarket experience. He started his career working at his family’s

CAWA Joins Global Right to Repair Movement for Vehicles

Published April 3, 2023

CAWAhas joined other association leaders to support the critical global Right to Repair movement by signing a new position statement.

The statement enumerates the core beliefs of the movement and the objectives and intended outcomes of Right to Repair legislation. Importantly, the document sets forth 10 best practice principles to developing a framework for Right to Repair legislation any supporting country can use and adapt to its needs.

Globally, the automotive aftermarket keeps 1.5 billion vehicles on the road while contributing $1.8 trillion to the global economy. After vehicles exit their warranty period, independent

Mike Harris Appointed to CAWA’s Manufacturers' Advisory Council

PublishedMarch 28, 2023

Mike Harris of Holstein Parts has been appointed to CAWA’s Manufacturers' Advisory Council.

“We are pleased to have Mike join our leadership team and contribute to our discussions of current and future industry issues," said Young Suhr Jr., chair of the Board of Directors. "We look forward to his participation and contributions which will assist the association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive aftermarket industry organization."

Harris has more than 37 years in the automotive aftermarket. Thirty-three of those years were in the NAPA

CAA Capitol Chapter Meeting Features BAR Presentation

PublishedJan. 31, 2023

The CAACapitol chapter held a successful meeting Jan. 10 in Sacramento, CA, featuring a presentation from the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR.)

With many auto body shop owners, managers and employees in attendance, the topic of storage was discussed.

During the Q&A many issues were addressed such as when a shop can begin charging storage fees, what is considered a “reasonable” storage fee, how and when a lien arises and more.

A copy of the presentation given by Matt Gibson of the BAR can be found ...

CAWA Announces Manufacturers Advisory Council Appointment

PublishedJan. 18, 2023

Sun Hong of HL Mandohas been appointed to CAWA’s Manufacturers Advisory Council. 

“We are pleased to have Sun join our leadership team and contribute to our discussions of current and future industry issues," said Young Suhr Jr., chair of the Board of Directors. “We look forward to his participation and contributions which will assist the association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive aftermarket industry organization."

Hong is the chief operating officer of HL Mando’s Aftermarket North America, with more than 25 years of

New Labor Rate Surveys Available on CAA Website

PublishedJan. 10, 2023

The CAAis pleased to provide its members with all labor rate surveys available from the California Department of Insurance.

The CAA website has been updated as of Jan. 1 and includes new surveys from GEICO, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, Sentryand USAA.

After logging in to the CAA website, all Labor Rate Surveys can be found under the "Labor Rate Surveys" link.

If you are a CAA member but have not signed up on the website, you can do so through the "Sign Up" button on the top left of the

Payne Appointed to CAWA's Board of Directors

PublishedDec. 6, 2022

Rob Payne of the Automotive Parts Associates has been appointed to CAWA’s Board of Directors.

“I am excited to announce that Rob Payne of the Automotive Parts Associates is joining the CAWA Board of Directors," said Michael Rukov, chair of the Board of Directors. "I look forward to Rob’s participation and contributions to CAWA in assisting the association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive care industry organization."

Payne is director of product for Automotive Parts Associates (APA), with more than 25 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket. In his

California Autobody Association Announces Enterprise as Corporate Sponsor

PublishedNov. 30, 2022

More than 60 years ago, Enterprisefounder Jack Taylor established his rental business in neighborhoods, while so many competitors were focusing on airport rentals.

Over the last six decades, Enterprise has evolved the replacement vehicle rental business to get customers back on the road as seamlessly as possible.

Enterprise continues to work very closely with its partners across the insurance and collision industries to increase collaboration and optimize the customer experience when a vehicle rental or replacement is needed after a car accident or during vehicle repair.

What

CAWA Installs 2023 Officers of Board of Directors

Published Nov. 7, 2022

At its annual dinner gala during Industry Week, Young Suhr Jr. of APW Knox Seeman Warehouse was installed as CAWA’s 2023 chair of the Board of Directors.

Other officers installed were: Vice-Chair Tom Ogaz of the Parts Authority; Treasurer Wayne Schaack of the Pronto Group; Secretary Dan Hanson Jr.of Hanson Distributing Company and Immediate Past Chair Michael Rukov of IMR, Inc.

The officers will assume their positions effective Jan. 1, 2023.

The association also sends a special thanks to its

Members of the Los Angeles/Orange County chapter of the California Autobody Association (CAA) recently met in Seal Beach, CA, to network, learn from one another and hear up-to-date industry information.
  
Part of the Sept. 20 event included a presentation from Tim Ronak, senior services business consultant for AkzoNobel, focused on inflation and its impact on the collision ecosystem.

“Tim spoke about the challenges in the economy and our industry that influence what we are charging our customers,” said CAA President Melanie Allan, vice president of Craftsman Collision USA. “As shop owners and managers, we need to take information like this into consideration when running our businesses so we can