The California Autobody Association (CAA) held their first quarter board meeting, leadership conference and awards banquet on January 22, in beautiful Monterey. This was the first meeting with new Chapter Board representatives, so a portion of the meeting was spent educating each chapter on procedures and regulations for 2005. 

Meeting highlights

According to executive director David McClune, the CAA has submitted a report to the Department of Insurance (DOI) outlining recommendations to improve the labor rate surveys in order to create a fair and accurate labor rate survey process. The CAA is waiting to meet with the DOI to discuss this report.

Relative to the report sent to the DOI, the CAA has challenged the compliance of the labor rate surveys currently on file with the department. The CAA has shown the department that so far they do not even comply with the current regulations. The CAA has asked the DOI to review the labor rate surveys submitted and determine whether they comply with the existing regulations. This is particularly important as the department has stated that by submitting any survey at all, the insurer has established a reasonable labor rate for a particular local geographic area.

Achievements acknowledged

The awards banquet recognized the many volunteers within CAA that contribute their time and money to make the association a success. Recognition was given to each chapter's Member of the Year, along with awards to the CAA Member of the Year, Chapter President of the Year, Associate Member of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was given this year to Joe Boivin, Joe's Body Shop, Grass Valley. Boivin is a past CAA state president and was active in the association for many years. He recently sold his shop and retired, but will hopefully continue to offer his insights to CAA. This honor was all the more special as this award is not given out automatically each year.

Chapter Member of the Year Awards

• Agricenter - Charlie Sandoval

• Antelope Valley - Dawn Silman

• Capitol - Sande Soper

• East Bay - Ragen Rose

• Feather River - Charlie Vigiani

• Glendale Foothill - Chuck Reyes

• Grass Valley/Auburn - Howard Davidson

• Orange County - Milton Almeida

• San Diego - Richard Hop Sanchez

• Santa Clara - Dan Diridoni

• South Coast - Allan Brown

Member of the Year

Allan Brown, West Auto Body, Bellflower

Chapter President of the Year

Jim Boyle, Regal Collision Repair, Vallejo

Associate Member of the Year

FinishMaster, Inc.