Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation A strong future workforce is vital to the success of collision industry businesses, and today’s students will become tomorrow’s industry leaders. But how can these motivated young people connect with the employer of their dreams? The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) will unlock the door to showcasing students’ many career options by introducing them to the various opportunities available in collision as they engage with the industry’s many organizations during its Fall 2025 High School and College Transportation Student Career Fairs. “All segments of the collision industry – repair shops and dealerships as well as paint, tool and equipment companies – seek to hire…

Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation It’s no secret that collision repair students require resources to learn, but with limited budgets and rising costs, collision instructors often face challenges in adequately equipping their programs with everything they need to train these young professionals to put their best foot forward. For the past 33 years, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) has supported thousands of collision repair students and over 800 educational programs by facilitating over $130 million worth of in-kind donations, thanks to the generosity of its industry partners. Now, it’s easier than ever for industry organizations to offer resources through The Donation Exchange, powered by CREF! Designed as a “designated…

Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation The Collision Repair Education Foundation’s (CREF) 23rd Annual Golf Fundraiser, co-hosted by PPG Automotive Finishes, was among the biggest and best in the organization’s history! Held at the Philmont Country Club in Huntingdon, PA on July 22, the 2025 iteration of this annual event enjoyed participation from 120 golfers and nearly 30 sponsors supporting the industry as they enjoyed a day on the green while also raising over $120,000. Those funds, in their entirety, will be directed to CREF’s mission of supporting collision repair programs, schools and students around the country and ensuring incoming collision professionals are equipped with the entry-level skills needed to…

Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of collision students through its annual Student Scholarship program, and it’s particularly gratifying to continue expanding that impact in 2025 by awarding over $275,000 in tuition assistance and tools to a substantial number of students – 163 future collision industry professionals benefitted from the industry’s generosity through this year’s program. CREF’s ability to support a greater number of students in 2025 is directly correlated to the growing amount of industry engagement as more organizations recognize the value of investing in the future generation, but it also results from CREF’s…

Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation Successful collision repair professionals need to know a lot to keep pace in today’s rapidly advancing industry, and just as the various components of a vehicle are often interrelated, so are the skill sets that students are encouraged to develop. Repair planning, in particular, offers repairers insights into other aspects of the collision world, and mastering this skill can open the doors to unforeseen opportunities. This has certainly been the case for industry professional Jannifer Stimmel-Watkins. As a student, she was fortunate to have access to repair planning software – thanks to the partnership between the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and Audatex, CCC…

Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation Educating students in collision repair requires instructors to cover a variety of topics to ensure students acquire the entry-level skills needed to obtain employment after graduation, but obtaining the necessary supplies, tools and equipment to provide instruction on everything from welding and bodywork to refinishing necessitates a financial investment that often exceeds the budgets allocated to collision educational programs. Fortunately, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) aids these programs, with generous assistance from industry employers, such as DeVilbiss, a silver-level sponsor in the Foundation’s Industry Leadership Circle. Last year, DeVilbiss’ donation of 20 DV1 Basecoat Spray Guns, 20 DV1 Clearcoat Spray Guns, 20 PROLite…

Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation Looking for an opportunity to support a great cause AND have a little fun doing it? The search is over! The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to announce that its 23rd Annual Golf Fundraiser, co-hosted by PPG Automotive Refinish, is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at Philmont Country Club in Huntingdon Valley, PA in conjunction with national industry meetings being held in Philadelphia that week. CREF invites collision professionals to join in “fore” a fun and impactful day on the green as the Foundation raises funds to support collision repair schools and students. Registration is now open at bit.ly/CREFgolf2025. “The…

Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to announce and introduce its newly appointed Executive Committee, which consists of seven industry professionals who are dedicated to supporting the future of the industry through engagement with collision schools and students. CREF’s 2025 Executive Committee includes: Chair Brenda Hogen (Parts Trader) Vice-Chair Stacy Bartnik (Intertek) Treasurer Mark Verbois (Enterprise Holdings) Secretary Sandee Lindorfer (Allstate Insurance Company) Trustee-at-Large Chris Dewes (PPG Industries) Trustee-at-Large Kayla Williams Clark (Classic Collision) Immediate Past Chair Steve Schmidt (State Farm) “As the Chair of the Collision Repair Education Foundation, my primary goal this year is to advance our mission of supporting…

Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to welcome Frank Pickering, Vice President, Physical Damage for GEICO, to its Board of Trustees. “We are honored to welcome Frank Pickering to our Board,” shares Brenda Hogen, Chair of CREF’s Board of Trustees. “His extensive experience and dedication to the collision industry will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission.” Pickering began his career in the collision industry in 1998 as a sales associate for GEICO, but after several years, it was time for a change. “In my interactions with fellow associates, I heard the stories from our auto damage adjusters about being…

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…

Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation Collision repair is a fast-paced industry that offers a fascinating career path for young people, especially as advancing technology like ADAS and AI piques their interest, but as any industry professional can attest, investing in these innovations is expensive, creating a significant barrier for instructors who already struggle to maintain their programs at current capability levels – never mind being able to advance those programs. Although constantly advancing technology necessitates that programs keep up with the ongoing changes in the industry to ensure the industry’s future workforce is prepared to enter shops with the skills necessary to make them a valuable part of the…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org Collision repair professionals love coming together “fore” a good cause, and the 2024 CREF Cup Competition, held at Topgolf in Schaumburg, IL on November 21, offered a memorable evening of competition and comradery while raising funds to support the industry’s future generation. Caliber Collision’s team earned bragging rights for the next year as they walked away with the CREF Cup trophy! “CREF always has a great time connecting with industry supporters to enhance our efforts to assist collision students as they prepare for their future collision repair careers,” says CREF Executive Director Brandon Eckenrode. “Funds raised from this event allow CREF to continue supporting high school…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org Collision repair requires a highly technical skill set…but it also demands a certain amount of creativity and inspiration. Those attributes are precisely what the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) seeks to elicit and celebrate each year with its Art Meets Automotive Competition! Now in its third year, Art Meets Automotive provided secondary and post-secondary students with an opportunity to design and create a project, demonstrating their talents in painting, sculpting, welding or a combination of all three. The 2024 winning design was Koi-Upstream by Teisha Chambers (McFatter Technical College; Davie, FL). “This piece represents overcoming the trials in my life,” Chambers explained her inspiration for the…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org When a large group of people work together for a common goal, they can make a HUGE impact! Collision repair organizations have proven the truth of this sentiment through their continuing support of the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s (CREF) Benchmark Grant program. Thanks to the generosity multiple industry partners – both small and large – the Foundation is proud to announce that 80 collision schools will receive $536,000 in 2024 Benchmark Grant funding to financially support their efforts to educate the collision industry’s future workforce and ensure students graduate with the knowledge and skills to successfully fill the entry-level positions for which collision repair businesses so…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org The 2023 SEMA Show was a time for celebrations, and the Collision Repair Education Foundation certainly took advantage of the opportunity! In addition to hosting its Benchmark Grants Awards Breakfast where $678,500 in funds were bestowed upon 109 schools, the Foundation celebrated collision repair students’ creativity with an Art Meets Automotive showcase and also honored several industry professionals who are “Fueling the Future” during the Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards. “We truly appreciate the generous impact that’s been made to support the next generation of the collision repair industry,” says CREF Executive Director Brandon Eckenrode. “CREF’s efforts to support collision repair educational programs, schools and students…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to celebrate the winners of the 2024 PiN Master Challenge, held in conjunction with LKQ Refinish’s 5th Annual Hood Master Challenge on August 29, 2024 at The Bell Tower in Nashville, TN. Congratulations to this year’s victors who won a Craftsman Tool Kit, detailed buckets and gloves to aid them as they advance in their careers: 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…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to welcome Heather McMahon, Vice President of Material Damage, Corporate Claims for Erie Insurance, to its Board of Trustees. “The Foundation is delighted to have Heather join our Board of Trustees,” says CREF Executive Director Brandon Eckenrode. “Her industry experience and her passion for promoting education will certainly be a major asset. I look forward to her joining in CREF’s efforts to support collision school programs and students.” McMahon’s industry career began in 2003 as an inside claim adjuster for Erie Insurance, but it didn’t take long for her to move up the ranks, utilizing her bachelor’s degree…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org Collision repair shops and other industry businesses often struggle to find qualified help, but it may be a matter of neglecting to look in all the right places! Thousands of young people have fallen in love with the idea of working in this field and are pursuing a collision career through various educational programs around the country, and the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) wants to connect these future employees with the businesses looking to hire them! Don’t miss the opportunity to engage locally with hundreds of future collision repair professionals during the Foundation’s Fall 2024 High School and College Transportation Student Career Fairs. “The collision…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org The Collision Repair Education Foundation’s (CREF) 22nd Annual Golf Fundraiser, co-hosted by PPG Automotive Finishes, was among the biggest and best in the organization’s history! Held at the Arrowhead Golf Club in Littleton, CO – one of the most scenic courses on which the annual fundraiser has ever been held – the July 9th event enjoyed participation from 126 golfers and nearly three dozen sponsors supporting the industry as they enjoyed a day on the green while also raising over $110,000 to support collision repair programs, schools and students around the country. “What an incredible day of golf, networking and fundraising at our 22nd annual golf…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to announce that over $235,000 in 2024 scholarships and tool grants have been awarded to 90 collision repair students across the country, but the Foundation is happy to note that this year’s recipients look a little different than they have in the past – for the first time, over two-thirds of the students receiving a scholarship and/or tool grant are women and other minorities, demonstrating the industry’s forward movement toward a more diverse workforce. “CREF is honored to recognize these outstanding students through the 2024 scholarships and tool grants, which were funded thanks to the generosity of our…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to welcome Kayla Williams Clark, Vice President of Business Development for Classic Collision, to its Board of Trustees. “The Foundation is delighted that Kayla has joined our Board of Trustees,” says CREF Executive Director Brandon Eckenrode. “Her experience in this industry and her passion for assisting students as they pursue collision careers will certainly be a major asset. I look forward to her joining in CREF’s efforts to support collision school programs and students.” Clark began her career in the collision industry in 2010 as a management assistant at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, where she was introduced to several multi…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org Would any shop owner be impressed by a young estimator who demonstrated their knowledge by pulling out a clipboard, paper and pen as they began inspecting a damaged vehicle? Probably not – with today’s complex vehicles, most shops utilize modern estimating software, and a new hire who isn’t familiar with electronic repair planning will need a lot of additional training. It makes sense that collision professionals expect students to graduate with a basic understanding of modern estimating tools and techniques, but software costs money, which is a resource that many collision repair education programs find themselves lacking. Fortunately, thousands of collision repair students across the country…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org Would any shop owner be impressed by a young estimator who demonstrated their knowledge by pulling out a clipboard, paper and pen as they began inspecting a damaged vehicle? Probably not – with today’s complex vehicles, most shops utilize modern estimating software, and a new hire who isn’t familiar with electronic repair planning will need a lot of additional training. It makes sense that collision professionals expect students to graduate with a basic understanding of modern estimating tools and techniques, but software costs money, which is a resource that many collision repair education programs find themselves lacking. Fortunately, thousands of collision repair students across the country…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to introduce its newly appointed Executive Committee, which consists of seven industry professionals who are dedicated to supporting the future of the industry through engagement with collision schools and students. The Foundation is happy to announce Brenda Hogen (Parts Trader) has been named to the position of Chair for 2024, and CREF is also happy to welcome two new Board members: Mark Allen (Audi America) and Chris Dewes (PPG). CREF’s 2024 Executive Committee includes: Chair Brenda Hogen (Parts Trader) Vice-Chair Mark Helvenston (IAA, Inc.) Treasurer Mark Verbois (Enterprise Holdings) Secretary Sandee Lindorfer (Allstate Insurance Company) Trustee-at-Large Stacy Bartnik…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org Collision repair is an intriguing field to pursue, yet schools often struggle to attract and retain students in their collision programs, not because there’s a lack of interest but typically due to a lack of access to funding which prevents instructors from purchasing the updated tools, equipment and supplies needed to effectively educate the next generation of collision professionals. Applying for – and receiving – Benchmark Grants through the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) has been a game-changer for many schools around the country, including Contra Costa College in San Pablo, CA. (Applications are now open at bit.ly/CREFapply!) “Over the years, even going back to 2008…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org Tuition is expensive, especially for aspiring collision repair professionals who also need to stock their toolboxes, but the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) wants to help! Funding is available for secondary and post-secondary collision students to support their educational endeavors and help supply the employee pipeline for collision repair facilities around the country. Applications will open January 11 with a deadline of March 8, 2024. Apply for a Student Scholarship online. “Helping students pursue a collision education without accruing debt has made a huge impact for hundreds of students over the years, and CREF is thankful for the industry supporters who have made this possible by…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org There’s strength in numbers, and that’s certainly the message that’s been sent by the many supporters of Collision Repair Education Foundation’s (CREF) Benchmark Grant program. Thanks to the generosity of a multitude of industry partners – both small and large – the Foundation is proud to announce that 109 collision schools will receive $678,500 in Benchmark Grant funding to financially support their efforts to educate the collision industry’s future workforce and making a difference in the lives of the students training in those programs. “Congratulations to the CREF Benchmark grant recipient schools, and thank you to our industry partners for their continued support,” says CREF Executive…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to celebrate the winners of the 2023 PiN Master Challenge, held in conjunction with FinishMaster’s Hood Master Challenge on September 22, 2023 at the Biltwell in Indianapolis, IN. Over 350 guests turned out to participate in this year’s event. Congratulations to this year’s victors who won tools and equipment to help advance their careers: • 1st Place: Ahryus Griffin, ‘Murica (GST BOCES Coopers Education Center; Painted Post, NY) • 2nd Place: Julian Perez, Project Neon Razor (Duncanville High School; Duncanville, TX) • 3rd Place: Kenny Rolle, Hot Fudge Sundae (Sheridan Technical College; Hollywood, FL) • Wild Card: Kenny…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to welcome Kristle Bollans, Senior Director of Replacement Accounts for The Hertz Corporation, to its Board of Directors. “The Foundation is thrilled to have Kristle join our Board of Directors,” shares CREF Executive Director Brandon Eckenrode. “Her industry experience will certainly be a major asset, and I look forward to her joining in our efforts to support collision school programs and students.” Bollans’ industry experience began 20 years ago with The Hertz Corporation where she held positions in both the Airport and Off-Airport Divisions. In her current role as Senior Director of Replacement Accounts, she oversees the carrier…

Originally published at CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org Looking for fresh talent to fill your bays and keep your workflow flowing productively? Shops, suppliers and other collision industry businesses seeking qualified help need look no further than the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) Fall 2023 High School and College Transportation Student Career Fairs, where they’ll have the opportunity to engage with future collision repair professionals. With events scheduled all across the country, employers won’t want to miss the chance to get to know hundreds – or even thousands! – of incoming industry professionals in their market. “Engaging with future transportation industry professionals is vital for all segments of the industry – collision centers, dealerships…

Created for the Collision Repair Education Foundation   “Dear Advisory Board: Thank you for your support and letting me learn how to repair body work on a car. Without your help, and Mr. Goodwin’s teaching, I probably wouldn’t have learned what I learned this semester.” “Thank you for donating tools to help us learn about a new career that can help us later in life.” “You guys have done so much for our class. We can’t thank you enough!” Collision repair students at Paulding County High School (PCHS) in Dallas, GA sent handwritten notes to members of their program’s advisory board after the school’s second annual Small Car Race, an…

via Collision Repair Education Foundation Operative Talent, a car rebuild fundraising initiative with the goal of addressing the collision industry’s aging workforce by highlighting collision repair as a viable career path, has officially launched. Initially announced by the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), BASF and KTL Restorations during the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) meetings at the 2021 SEMA Show, Operative Talent allows for the entire collision industry to get involved. “Who agrees that we, as an industry, need to get out in front of the general public – including parents and school counselors – to educate them about this industry? And who believes we could do a better job of…

Never before has there been an easier way to support the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) – potentially in a BIG way! LKQ is launching its inaugural LKQ Cares Holiday Vote on Giving Tuesday which provides a chance for ten charities to compete for the biggest share of $400,000. CREF will be participating against a list of national and international charities that includes the American Cancer Society, Red Cross, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) Foundation. “The Foundation is competing with some of the largest, best-known charities around the globe, so it’s basically a ‘David v. Goliath’ situation,” says Brandon Eckenrode, managing director for the Foundation. “This is a…

Published in Autobody News BJ Penrod, owner of BJ’s Auto Theft and Collision in Denver, CO, was thrilled to learn that he’d entered the winning bid for a private tour of “Jay Leno‘s Garage.” The auction was held to benefit the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and its work to support collision repair educational programs, schools and students. “As soon as I heard about the auction, I added ‘tour Jay Leno’s Garage’ to my bucket list,” Penrod stated. “My wife Lisa and I watch the TV show, and we can’t believe we won—she’s even more excited than I am!” “I heard about CREF’s auction from my BASF paint supplier, and since we’re big fans of Jay Leno, Lisa and…