CREF Introduces 2025 Executive Committee and Thanks Departing Members for Service

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 and enhancing collision repair education,” Hogen stresses. “We aim to provide unparalleled resources and opportunities for students and educators, foster industry partnerships, and drive innovation in our programs. Together, we will build a stronger, more skilled workforce and elevate the standards of excellence in the collision repair industry.”

“We will continue supporting schools and students to ensure the next generation of collision repair professionals are properly trained and prepared to the enter the workforce,” Bartnik agrees. “It’s also imperative that we closely monitor the industry’s changing needs to ensure we’re providing guidance to help instructors update their curriculum to meet employers’ needs.”

“I’m excited to contribute to advancing CREF’s mission of supporting collision repair education, schools, and students,” Verbois notes. “Much like CREF, Enterprise Mobility is deeply committed to addressing the industry-wide collision technician shortage.”

Clark and Dewes are the newest additions to CREF’s Board of Trustees.

“I am honored to join the Collision Repair Education Foundation Executive Committee for this upcoming year,” Clark contributes. “I’m looking forward to working more closely with this team and our strategic partners to execute on expanding our support to the various collision repair education programs in efforts of broadening and strengthening the accessibility students have to our industry.”

Dewes offers his goals for this year: “If I can help broaden CREF’s visibility and create more awareness for CREF and the objectives the Board is working to resolve, I will view that as a success. Once people hear about CREF and our mission, I’ve found that most people and organizations are more than willing to donate time, equipment or even dollars. We truly have a very special industry with many people who want to be involved. Sometimes, they just don’t know where to start.”

In addition to the Executive Committee, the Foundation Board of Trustees consists of:

• Mark Allen (Audi America)
• Keith Bell (Axalta)
• Kristle Bollans (CSN Collision USA)
• Josh Cox (WESCO Group)
• John Eck (General Motors)
• Paul Folino (LKQ Corporation)
• Andreas Hecht (CCC Intelligent Solutions)
• Josh Krentz (Forbes Road Career and Technology Center)
• Heather McMahon (Erie Insurance)
• Frank Pickering (GEICO)

Trustee Emeriti include J. Laurence “Larry” Costin (CCC Information Services, Inc.), Lirel G. Holt (U, Inc.) and Chuck Sulkala.

Two members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees – Mark Helvenston (Insurance Auto Auctions) and Mike Croker (Industrial Shelving Solutions) have concluded their service, and CREF is grateful to both for their dedication to collision school and students over their tenure.

Helvenston began his service on the Board of Trustees in 2018 and most recently held the role of Vice Chair. Expressing his pleasure at being part of such an impactful organization, he shares, “It was incredibly meaningful and inspiring to have the opportunity to witness the journey that various students were able to take due to the assistance of CREF funding their dreams. Watching them pursue various careers in collision repair and refinishing demonstrated the importance of the work CREF does every day and proved that it really makes a difference for these young professionals individually, in addition to helping improve the industry as a whole.”

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].