Executive Director’s Message

THE RETURN TO LEARNING

With the tumultuous nature of the world and our industry, it is easy to get comfortable with “pausing” any extras. It’s harder to get around and out to events, but the importance of your education has not changed. To the contrary, it’s only become more critical.

All the Kids Are Doing It!

If education was only of mild importance, then kids would still be home waiting on the pandemic to cease completely. But there they are, returning to learning – granted, with many additional protocols – and participating in their schooling endeavors. Despite needed safety measures, there is much emphasis placed on how the social and academic pursuits of our young people are a measure of our societal success. If the kids are still learning, then it can’t be that bad.

It’s the same for our industry, and can I just say we’re probably falling behind? When we, as association folks, see that repairers are participating in their own academic pursuits, it’s a barometer of our industry’s health and vitality. Even with record sign-ups for the Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ (SCRS) Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series at SEMA, I am seeing locally that our normally forward membership is struggling to keep their commitments to learning.

You Just Have to Say Yes!

While it is easy to backslide, it’s just as easy to turn that slide upside down! The opportunity most prevalent in this issue is what I just mentioned: SCRS’ RDE. It’s a fantastic place to get a concentrated dose in the arm of the best industry presenters with the highest quality of information. It’s a place to also find and connect with new innovative products or services, see what’s coming down the pike for technologies and meet up with existing vendors to talk strategy. There is no downside. The hardest part of getting out your door is the initial first step of committing to going. Once you’ve decided, just like all other tenacious folks in our industry, you’ll make the ways to get it done. I brag about how our industry is the most innovative and resilient group of people on this planet. That’s because when we set our minds to overcome an obstacle, the “MacGyver” in everyone comes rolling out. If all you had was bubble gum and a few paper clips, you can make it anywhere. Set those intentions to SEMA; get a ticket and make your plans.

You will never regret saying yes to your expansion.

Thanks to Joel Gausten

As this is the last issue Joel is overseeing after 21 years in our industry with Thomas Greco Publishing, I would be remiss in not saying my own thank you. Joel has that same tenacity I just spoke about. He has embraced and championed all our industry causes, giving them voice and depth – even amplified greater – through his written word. We are all better for him having been with us for so long – and probably at times took for granted he’d always be here. I have enjoyed our back-and-forth discussions about what the readership of this magazine would benefit from. Even if you’ve never met him, something he’s published has certainly affected you. His desire to be both professional and personable, while covering issues that at times are grueling, has left us all with fond sentiment. His time here may conclude, but his work will go on. It’s exciting to welcome Chasidy Rae Sisk into the family of Hammer & Dolly, and I know that Joel’s approach to our editorial will stay strong in our foundation for the future.

Thank you, Joel, for all you’ve done behind the scenes to make this industry a far better place than when you found it. We are all deeply grateful for the time we have had together!

Jordan Hendler

(804) 789-9649 jordanhendler@wmaba.com

LOCAL NEWS

WMABA LOOKS FORE!-WARD TO 2021 GOLF OUTING

WMABA returns to the golf course green for a delightful day of reconnecting with industry peers during the association’s 2021 Golf Outing, scheduled for October 13 at the Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club in Gainesville, VA. “We are extremely excited to host WMABA’s first Golf Outing since the pandemic began,” WMABA Executive Director Jordan Hendler shares. “Most of the event will be held outdoors, so we get to have some fun together while enjoying more freedoms than a traditional meeting allows. Everyone is very excited to get back to this longstanding member outing.”

WMABA sponsors also delight in the opportunity to gather in person once again for a day of golfing and networking.

“I’m very excited to resume face-to-face interaction; business relationships need that personal feeling,” states Stephen Dunton, MidAtlantic Metro regional sales manager for Axalta Coating Systems. “My sales team is eager to visit with their customers again, and WMABA’s Golf Outing allows us to engage with them in a fun setting of golf and socializing. Axalta believes it’s important to support WMABA’s efforts to provide leadership training and education that helps our business partners improve and succeed.”

As a member and sponsor of WMABA since 1998, PPG feels it’s “important to support the collision repair industry and those involved in it,” PPG Automotive Refinish Territory Manager Tom Brown says. “WMABA’s Golf Outing allows everyone in the local industry to see one another in a relaxed atmosphere. Virtual events don’t offer the same atmosphere and excitement as face-to-face group events. I’m looking forward to participating in an in-person event – the interaction between attendees provides so much value!”

Pat O’Neill, owner of longtime WMABA Level 1 Sponsor Chesapeake Automotive Equipment, agrees.

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