WMABA & CCA CELEBRATE THE BEST OF THE BEST AT SCC KICKOFF RECEPTION

The 2023 Southeast Collision Conference (SCC) commenced on the evening of Thursday, April 13 with a kickoff reception and awards ceremony to honor those who go above and beyond when it comes to honesty, integrity and dedication to safe and proper repairs.

“Our industry doesn’t have a true hall of fame, so this is the only way people of excellence will get recognized,” WMABA Executive Director Jordan Hendler said.

Carolinas Collision Association (CCA) Executive Director Josh Kent agreed, “For us, it is very important that we recognize the men and women who put their heart and soul into this industry.”

Emcee Jeff Hendler started the evening off by stressing the value of associations, listing the many collision repair organizations that have been founded over the years as a way to identify solutions to the industry’s problems. “We’ve been fighting for so long to get things done, and how do they get done? They get done in rooms like this. They get done when people show up, begin to understand the problems and understand solutions and start to expound upon them.

“I challenge you to get involved with associations,” he urged. “Surround yourself with people who will fight for you in rooms you aren’t in. You have to get involved and do more. Get in the game, and get your uniform dirty. Now, let’s celebrate the people who are stepping up and stepping forward to help the industry get better.”

“Revolution is coming, whether we like it or not, but what this industry truly needs is a revival,” Jordan Hendler said as she took the stage with WMABA President Steve Krieps to present the association’s inaugural awards to the following:

• WMABA 2022 Board Member of the Year:

John Shoemaker (BASF)

• WMABA 2022 Most Improved Shop of the Year:

Rosslyn Auto Body (Alexandria, VA)

• WMABA 2022 CSR of the Year:

Angela Ramirez (Dorn’s Body & Paint; Mechanicsville, VA)

• WMABA 2022 Tech of the Year:

Mike Murphy (D&V Auto Body; Sterling, VA)

• WMABA 2022 Painter/Refinisher of the Year:

Edwin Rivera (Tyson’s Corner Collision Center; Vienna, VA) demonstration on the show floor when Jake Rodenroth (Lucid Motors) drove over with an electric vehicle. “The vehicle displayed a noticeable door ding, prompting KECO’s Danny Hacker to step forward and utilize the L2E system to fix the dent in front of the crowd of onlookers,” recalled Scott Stayon (KECO Products). “Danny was able to effectively demonstrate the advantages and effectiveness of GPR techniques on EVs with no need to power down the Lucid.

“As the industry continues to evolve, KECO Body Repair Products remains dedicated to providing the least invasive method of collision repair to increase efficiency and effectiveness,” he continued. “By attending events such as SCC, KECO can connect with technicians, listen to their feedback, and ensure the innovations never stop. Our participation in SCC reinforces our commitment to the industry and continuously improves our product offerings. The passion of people in the collision industry fuels KECO’s passion to provide the best options available for less invasive and successful collision repair.”

Return exhibitors were especially pleased with this year’s event.

“Chad Smith and I had a great time meeting new friends and catching up with old ones,” stated Laura Gay (Consolidation Coach). “SCC attracts such a great group of industry folks for sure. The event just keeps getting better each year.”

“We were honored to be able to support the show for the second year,” Erin Solis (Certified Collision Group) contributed. “The combined Awards Banquet was great! CCG was able to make some very beneficial business connections in all the markets represented. It was really great to see so many shops and their employees be recognized for all their hard work and commitment.”

CCA and WMABA expressed gratitude to the sponsors who made SCC 2023 possible, including Platinum Sponsors: Autotality, BASF, BETAG North America, Shopfix/BRCC, Connected Automotive Systems, John Bean and Lombard Equipment; Gold Sponsors: AkzoNobel, Axalta, Caliber Collision Centers, Certified Collision Group, Enterprise, FinishMaster, NCS/Single Source, Pinnacle Collision Equipment and PPG; Silver Sponsors: Accudraft, ALLDATA, Auto Shop Solutions, Capital Collision Equipment, Hertz, Intrepid Direct Insurance, OEConnection, Opus IVS, Polyvance, ProColor Collision, Reliable Automotive Equipment and Spanesi Americas; and Education Sponsor AirPro Diagnostics.

“My favorite part of the SCC, or any educational event for that matter, is when you see the lightbulb within a shop person turn on for the first time,” Hendler noted. “We had many first-timers attending, and for them, it was their first endeavor at a tradeshow or multisession education event. Seeing their wheels turning and hearing their testimony of what it was they learned, is exactly what WMABA is here for. It’s what I’m here for. That’s what makes all the hard work and effort of so many worth it. Even if just one lightbulb turns on, the whole world is brighter for it!”

“This event was a huge success, and being able to collaborate with WMABA was crucial in this effort,” agreed CCA President Kyle continued on pg. 28

Next, Kent took the stage with CCA President Kyle Bradshaw to recognize the association’s award recipients as follows:

• CCA 2022 Board Member of the Year:

Bryan Harrell (Port City Collision; Wilmington, NC)

• CCA 2022 North Carolina Shop of the Year: Relentless Collision (Raleigh, NC)

• CCA 2022 South Carolina Shop of the Year: Dents and Dings LLC (Rock Hill, SC)

• CCA 2022 Repair Planner of the Year: Tom Flowers (DCR Systems)

• CCA 2022 CSR of the Year:

Christine Zelez (Bodyworks Plus; Charlotte, NC)

• CCA 2022 Tech of the Year:

Wil Weymouth (Sudden Impact Collision & Mechanical; Salisbury, NC)

• CCA 2022 Refinisher of the Year:

Kimberly Taylor (High Tech Collision; Liberty, NC)

• CCA 2022 Detailer of the Year:

Ron McGuire (Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet Collision Center; Newton, NC)

• CCA 2022 Manager of the Year: William Barkley (K&M Collision; Hickory, NC)

Celebrating the award recipients at the banquet was Bradshaw’s favorite part of SCC 2023. “These individuals are the backbone of our industry and work tirelessly to lead by example at their respective organizations,” he said. “Too often, we let days, weeks, months and years go by without recognizing someone or simply telling them thank you – and these awards do just that. Being able to give back to those who give tirelessly to their craft and our industry is so rewarding and my favorite thing that CCA is able to take part in.”

Stay tuned for spotlights on WMABA winners in future issues of Hammer & Dolly, where we will be learning more about these amazing individuals and businesses within the association family! H&D

You’ve got the right tools, staff, technology and procedures to give your customers the best repair possible. The missing piece of the puzzle? Genuine Volkswagen Collision Parts. Contact an authorized dealer today and find your perfect fit.

Alexandria Volkswagen 107 West Glebe Rd.

Alexandria, VA 22305

703-684-7007

Fax: 703-684-4138 e-mail: parts@alexandriavw.com

Karen Radley Volkswagen 14700 Jefferson Davis Hwy. Woodbridge, VA 22191

703-550-0205

Fax: 703-643-0081

Ourisman Volkswagen of Bethesda

5415 Butler Road

Bethesda,MD 20816

301-652-2452

Fax: 301-652-2589 e-mail: vwwholesale@ourisman.com

Fitzgerald Volkswagen 114 Baughmans Lane

Frederick, MD 21702

Toll Free: 800-545-4745

Fax: 877-696-1841 e-mail: parts@fitzmall.com www.fitzparts.com

Fitzgerald Volkswagen of Annapolis 34 Hudson Street

Annapolis, MD 21401

Phone: 410-224-4636

Fax: 410-224-4264 www.fitzmall.com

Ourisman Volkswagen of Laurel 3371 Ft. Meade Rd.

Laurel, MD 20724

Phone: 301-498-6050

Fax: 301-498-0157 www.laurelvolkswagen.com

Ourisman Volkswagen of Rockville

801 Rockville Pike

Rockville, MD 20852

Parts Direct: 301-340-7668

Toll Free: 855-417-4511

Fax: 240-499-2488 e-mail: rockvilleparts@ourismanautomotive.com www.ourismanvolkswagenofrockville.com

Wholesale Parts