Generations Demonstrate Quality Work Stands the Test of Time learn the trade and make her way in a male-dominated field. In 2000 she was one of seven honored with the industry’s “Most Influential Women” award. “Like Grandpa, Aunt Camille has a deep affinity for cars,” asid Bray. “She bought the business from Grandpa a couple of years after Grandma unexpectedly passed away―having only spent three years in the shop. She had to go after the knowledge she needed, whether it was the trade, estimating or even business management. “She earned accreditations from the Automotive Management Institute, she’s certified by the Masters School of Autobody, she’s ASE-certified and I-CAR trained,” Bray continued. “Nothing was ever given to her. She grew the business to two locations and even became the first facility in Pictured, left to right, are James Bray, production manager; the Portland area to earn the William Bray, co-owner; the late Jim Eber; Camille Eber, prestigious I-CAR Gold cerco-owner; and Iala Bray, office manager tification. “As I grew older, I looked up to Jim Eber joined Roth & Miller Autobody, a Portland business that Aunt Camille, much like she looked first opened in 1946, as a body man up to Grandpa and Grandma.” Bray, Camille Eber’s nephew, in 1955. Although Eber left the busi- ness for a brief period to work for said he inherited the “car gene” in a local insurance company, he came the family. “I remember as early as 5 comback in 1963 and purchased the fa- ing into the shop with my mom becility with his wife. “Grandpa always loved cars, cause she wanted to visit my aunt,” learning how they worked, the me- recalls Bray. “I always looked chanics behind them and how to fix forward to visiting Aunt Camille. them,” said William Bray, co-own- When I was 11, I asked if I could er, Fix Auto Portland East. “Grand- work there after school to earn some ma was a partner from the start of the extra money. My mom would drop business but joined the shop full-time me off, or I would take the bus, just as a bookkeeper in 1971. Together, so I could spend time in the shop.” Bray enrolled in a senior co-op they built a reputation in the com- munity as a hardworking, family-run program in high school, so he could body shop. Grandpa’s passion was learn more about the trade. Spendinfectious, and I think that is how my ing time with his Aunt Camille, he learned the ins and outs of the busiAunt Camille got into the business.” The third of Jim and Doris ness, from repair processes to office Eber’s four children, Camille Eber, management. Much like his aunt, decided to enter the business. Like Bray is also an Accredited Automoher father, Camille Eber loved cars. tive Manager, ASE-Certified and She also loved the idea of operating I-CAR trained. “More than anything else, I’ve and owning a business, carrying on what her parents had built, through learned the importance of repair quality,” said Bray. “I work so hard good and hard times. She joined the team full-time to hone my skills, continue training in 1986 and worked diligently to and deliver premier customer serFix Auto Portland East, Fix Auto Gladstone and Fix Auto Clackamas are all a part of a longstanding family business, spanning three generations, now celebrating its 75th anniversary of business. With only about 40% of U.S. family-owned businesses turned into second-generation businesses and only about 13% successfully passed down to a third generation, this is an incredible feat for the Eber-Bray family.
10 AUGUST 2021 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com
vice because the quality of our work is what has built our legacy in the community. I’ll never forget Aunt Camille saying, ‘We never want to be in a position where we are grocery shopping with our families, and we
Roth & Miller Autobody circa 1946
have to duck and hide from customers because we’re embarrassed by the repair experience―we want to be able to greet customers when we see them.’” Bray has been a partner in the business for eight years now. It is still a family-owned operation, as William’s brother, James, is the production manager, and William’s wife, Iala, is the office manager. The team even partnered with
another set of family operators, brothers Dave and Joey McCollum, to open their third facility, Fix Auto Clackamas. “We joined the Fix Auto USA network because it’s a recognized name across the industry that is well-respected with values rooted in trust, commitment and care―aligning with our long-standing legacy,” said Bray. “We are still an independently owned and operated family business, but now have access to the extended Fix Auto USA family, which has helped us enhance our operations and introduce us to other like-minded owners.” With three children as well as twins on the way, William and Iala Bray look forward to seeing where their family business will take them next. Fix Auto USA, an industry-leading collision repair network, is proudly celebrating its 10th anniversary of business collision repair center. Visit FixAutoUSA.com to learn more. Source: Fix Auto
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