2024 in Retrospect: CREF Celebrates Another Impactful Year
Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation
Everything the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) does for collision repair educational programs, schools and students is geared toward making as much of an impact as possible. Why? Because “impactful” means impressive, exciting, meaningful…It’s all about making a difference, and CREF certainly made a difference in 2024!
“The Foundation’s goal each year is to add value to our efforts to create stronger high school and collision educational programs and a more qualified future workforce, and we are excited and proud of everything we accomplished in 2024,” shares CREF Executive Director Brandon Eckenrode. “From school grants to scholarships to representation at various events around the country to raise awareness of the many wonderful opportunities available in this industry – none of this would have been possible without the continued support of our generous industry partners. Your generosity has been instrumental in our mission, and the entire CREF team wants to express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support throughout 2024.”
For over 30 years, the Foundation has provided underfunded collision education programs with the resources needed to elevate the caliber of training offered to ensure graduates are prepared to successfully begin their careers in the industry, and each year, CREF identifies ways to expand upon and strengthen those initiatives. Introducing a new look and an updated website in the first quarter of 2024 marked the beginning of a year of significant growth and improvement for the Foundation.
In 2024, over 80 high school and college collision programs were awarded Benchmark Grants, totaling $536,000 and impacting over 4,000 students current training in these programs, as well as students who enroll in upcoming years. Additionally, the Foundation distributed over $12 million worth of in-kind donations, including parts, products, quarter panels, subscriptions, safety equipment and more.
Demonstrating a fierce commitment to the future, CREF’s efforts also extended directly to the next generation of professionals with 90 collision repair students across the country receiving more than $235,000 in 2024 scholarships and tool grants, funded through the generosity of the Foundation’s industry supporters. These scholarships and grants provide students with financial support to enable them to continue their education and prepare them for a successful career in body shops around the country while simultaneously strengthening the industry by ensuring its future workforce. Additionally, over 500 uniforms were donated to students to help them achieve a more professional appearance they can take pride in, and CREF hosted four Transportation Career Fairs in 2024, facilitating an opportunity for more than 1,000 students to learn more about the multitude of career opportunities available within the collision repair industry.
CREF found opportunities to identify, highlight and elevate students actively pursuing an industry career through competitions, including the PiN Master event, held in conjunction with LKQ Refinish’s 5th Annual Hood Master Challenge. Students were given the opportunity to compete against each other by repairing, designing and painting retired bowling pins in an effort to showcase these students’ skills and to support the future of this industry. LKQ Refinish raised a record-breaking $30,000 for CREF through the Hood Master fundraiser, where the beautifully artistic hoods and pins created by the 2023 Hood Master and PiN Master competitors were auctioned off to industry supporters. Of the 46 students who participated in the 2024 PiN Master Competition four PiN Master winners walked away with a Craftsman Tool Kit, detailed buckets and gloves to aid them as they advance in their careers as well as bragging rights.
- 1st Place: Koi-Upstream by Teisha Chambers (McFatter Technical College; Davie, FL)
- 2nd Place: Freedom Pin by Sara Jane Elzinga (Careerline Tech Center; Holland, MI)
- 3rd Place: The Wrath of Artemis by Skylah Kellogg (Warren Tech; Lakewood, CO)
- Wild Card: Simpsons Shark Bite by Gabe Misbauer (South Technical High School; St. Louis, MO)
The third iteration of CREF’s Art Meets Automotive contest provided students with a chance to design and create a project, demonstrating their talents in painting, sculpting, welding or a combination of all three. Entries were displayed during CREF’s 2024 Benchmark Grants Awards Breakfast, held during the 2024 SEMA Show, where attendees voted for their favorite design. Koi-Upstream by Teisha Chambers (McFatter Technical College; Davie, FL) won the student division of the 2024 Art Meets Automotive Competition, but last year, CREF also challenged collision repair instructors to “design, create and inspire” with the introduction of its first Art Meets Automotive: Instructor Edition; Robert Lynch (Fayetteville Technical Community College; Fayetteville, NC) won the instructor division for his uniquely designed pin.
During SEMA 2024, CREF recognized three industry professionals for their outstanding efforts to go above and beyond in their support of collision schools and students; recipients of the Foundation’s Fueling the Future Awards included Josh Kent (Carolinas Collision Association), Greg Brink (Rock Valley College) and Julie Lombardo (Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Illinois).
CREF’s 22nd Annual Golf Fundraiser, co-hosted by PPG Automotive Finishes, was among the biggest and best in the organization’s history, attracting participation from 126 golfers and nearly three dozen sponsors who enjoyed a day on the green while also raising over $110,000 to support the Foundation’s efforts. Nearly 150 industry professionals turned out to make the third CREF Cup Competition a huge success, raising over $11,000 to support high school and college collision programs and students around the country.
CREF’s efforts are led by its Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, which consists of industry professionals who are dedicated to supporting the future of the industry through engagement with collision schools and students. These leaders offer guidance and encouragement, and without their devotion to the organization’s mission, CREF could not have enjoyed such a successful year. The Foundation expresses its gratitude to its leadership team:
- Chair Brenda Hogen (Parts Trader)
- Vice Chair Mark Helvenston (Insurance Auto Auctions)
- Secretary Sandee Lindorfer (Allstate Insurance Company)
- Treasurer Mark Verbois (Enterprise Holdings)
- Trustee-at-Large Stacy Bartnik (Intertek)
- Immediate Past Chair Steve Schmidt (State Farm)
- Mark Allen (Audi of America)
- Keith Bell (Axalta)
- Kristle Bollans (CSN Collision)
- Kayla Williams Clark (Classic Collision)
- Mike Croker (Industrial Shelving Solutions)
- Chris Dewes (PPG Industries, Inc.)
- John Eck (General Motors)
- Paul Folino (LKQ Corporation)
- Andreas Hecht (CCC Information Systems, Inc.)
- Josh Krentz (Forbes Road Career and Technology Center)
- Heather McMahon (Erie Insurance)
- Trustee Emeriti J. Laurence “Larry” Costin (CCC Information Services, Inc.)
- Trustee Emeriti Lirel G. Holt (U, Inc.)
- Trustee Emeriti Chuck Sulkala
“The Foundation is grateful to every individual and organization that donated funds and products, as well as all of our amazing volunteers,” Eckenrode adds another round of thanks. “We’re addressing the technician shortage from every possible angle as we try to attract qualified talent to this field, but we rely on everyone’s involvement because we are stronger together, and we’re looking forward to making 2025 an even more impactful year!”
Moving into 2025, CREF remains committed to continuing its foundational programming, maintaining a focus on school grants, scholarships and career fairs, which are crucial for supporting education and career development; however, the Foundation is excited to introduce the following three new initiatives in the coming year:
- Donation Exchange – CREF intends to expand and streamline the donation exchange processes to maximize impact for in-kind donations.
- K-12 Outreach and Programming – This year will see an enhancement of the Foundation’s K-12 outreach with new initiatives and partnerships to inspire younger students.
- Student Engagement through Portals – Efforts are underway to upgrade CREF’s student engagement portals to provide more comprehensive resources and career guidance.
“Your continued support is crucial in preparing the next generation of skilled professionals to meet this growing demand,” Eckenrode stresses. “Together, we’re not just repairing vehicles; we’re building careers and shaping the future of the industry.”
Industry members interested in getting involved and supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist high school and college collision repair training programs can Contact Us to learn about the many ways to get involved. Monetary donations can be made online.
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The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation, visit us online at: www.CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org.
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If you would like more information about this topic or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email [email protected].
