National News

The four recipients will use the awards to fund classroom supplies, certifications and students competing on the national level at SEMA.

The campaign funds combined with sponsorships and general commitments to award $30,000 total in scholarships.

While delivery times to shops this past March were about 25% lower year-over-year, they are still higher compared to early 2021.

The Auto Body Association of Texas is preparing for a 2025 legislative battle to ensure consumers have a fair assessment of repairs.

The June 26 meeting will feature a discussion with four paint manufacturers.

The Aug. 3 event promises opportunities for education, networking and learning about new tools and products.

The three-day event offered inspiration, education and networking opportunities to support and empower women in the industry.

CIF offers relief assistance to people in the collision repair industry affected by natural disasters and devasting circumstances.

The event was expanded this year from one to two days of hands-on training, panel discussions and a trade show.

The regulations would cap what shops can charge for storage and impose new administrative requirements.

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

The new board was recognized during the AASP-MN Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference on March 28.

The Mid-Atlantic Auto Care Alliance's new board members bring experience from all over the industry.

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.

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

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 Week. 

Alongside Ogaz, several other key officers were also sworn in to lead the association, including Vice-Chair Wayne Schaack from the Pronto Group, Treasurer Dan Hanson Jr. of Hanson Distributing Company, and Secretary David

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

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 participation and contributions to CAWA in assisting the association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive care industry organization."

Musselman joined LKQ Corporation and its senior management team in 2019 as senior vice president of government affairs, overseeing the company’s

This year's sponsorship initiative is aimed at attracting, retaining and advancing women in the collision repair industry.

“Sponsoring WIN really means our supporting organizations are taking an active role in developing the talent pool for our entire collision repair industry,” said Jessica Rob, sponsorship chair for WIN and distribution program manager at AkzoNobel Coatings Inc. “We appreciate and thank all our sponsors for their commitment to women in the industry through continued financial, leadership and resource support since our inception.” 

The organization, which provides networking and connection opportunities for women in the male-dominated collision industry, announced this year’s sponsorship campaign is vital to the

The Midwest Auto Care Alliance (MWACA) is pleased to announce the installation of its new executive board members during its Fall Leadership Summit held Sept. 8-10 in Lake of the Ozarks, MO.

The new board consists of industry veterans and its leadership is poised to guide MWACA into a bright future.

Newly Elected Officers

• President Summer Guerrero, Affinity Automotive Services, Wichita, KS
• Vice President Travis Troy, Honest Wrenches Automotive Repair, Des Moines, IA
• Treasurer James Copeland, Midwest Autoworx, Columbia, MO
• Secretary Kim Auernheimer, CS

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 later joined Finish Line as a distribution center supervisor. After serving as a purchasing agent for AISIN, he then moved

The 2023 ASE Instructor Training Conference, held in July in Concord, NC, welcomed hundreds of high school and college instructors from auto, truck and collision repair programs nationwide, where they had the opportunity to participate in a wide array of sessions conducted by the transportation industry’s leading trainers and instructors. 

“This year’s instructor training conference was a huge success, from the instructional sessions to the networking opportunities to the informational resources that instructors can integrate into their automotive programs,” said Mike Coley, president of the ASE Education Foundation. “The attendees heard from experienced OE and aftermarket trainers, enjoyed a keynote speech by Eric Chester

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 industry, with an impressive track record spanning more than 38 years in Southern California. His journey began at the young age of 15 when he embarked on an

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 management. He spent the first 10 years working alongside his father running J&C Auto Supply in Whittier, CA. Later in his career,

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, including working for Bridgestone Retail Operationsand Belle Tire Distributors. Currently, he is senior director of sales for

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 scholarship award is Gregory Kraus, Amistad High School, to pursue additional teacher classroom certification.

The primary scholarship

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 joined CAWA, and four years ago, he was appointed to the Board of Directors. 

“It’s been interesting to see the industry changes in that

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 &

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 Division representing DANA engine, chassis and Weatherhead fluid power products. He then transitioned to representing NAPAbrake

CIECAannounced its speakers for the annual CONNEX 2023 Conference, being held Sept. 12-13 in Bloomington, IL.

In addition to a line-up of insightful thought leaders, there will be networking opportunities, a vehicle gifting ceremony by the National Auto Body Council® (NABC) as part of its Recycled Rides® program, CIECA’s open annual meeting and a tour of electric vehicle company Rivian’s manufacturing facility.

This year’s theme is "Connected Car, Connected Industry," and will be emceed by industry veteran Bill Garoutte. All industry stakeholders, including CIECA members and non-members, are invited to attend.

The agenda will include OEM representatives from Audi, Lucid Motors and Rivian, as well

The Midwest Collision Repair Trade Show was held May 19-20 in Kansas City, MO. Despite being only in its second year, the event expanded its trade show floor and attracted top industry speakers and regional shop operators.

Hosted by several auto body associations, including the Missouri Auto Body Association, Kansas Auto Body Association, Nebraska Auto Body Association (NABA), South Dakota Auto Body Association and the Iowa Collision Repair Association (ICRA), the show offered valuable insights and information over the course of two days.

The energetic weekend started May 19 with Mike Anderson's "Be Extraordinary" presentation, setting a positive tone. Panels covering various topics such as EVs,