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Page 1 of 3 As emcee Jeff Hendler kicked off the third annual Collision Industry Night of Achievement last month in Orlando, Florida, he said one thing linked all of those who would receive an award that evening.
"Lives have been changed by those honored tonight," Hendler said. That sentiment held true not only that evening but also in the four days of industry events that followed in early December, during which more than two dozen collision industry individuals and organizations were recognized with awards and honors. Here's a wrap-up of some of the awards and honorees announced in Orlando. NABC presents Pride Awards Hendler's sentiment about "lives have been changed" perhaps applied to no award winner more than Donald Christianson. The shop owner from Valders, Wisconsin, was one of four recipients of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) "Pride Awards," which recognize individuals and groups for their charitable or humanitarian efforts outside of their normal job duties. Christianson became a hero late last year after being among those caught up in the worst highway accident in Wisconsin history - a fiery crash involving 50 cars that resulted in 10 deaths and many injuries. Christianson repeatedly risked his own life by helping pull people from burning vehicles. It's not clear how many people he saved before collapsing with second- and third-degree burns over 40 percent of his body. He spent the next 78 days in a medically-induced coma, finally being released from the hospital this past February. Christianson received a standing ovation as he slowly walked to the stage at the Night of Achievement, which he attended with his wife, Nancy. "This is quite an honor," he said. "I never expected to be recognized for anything I did that day. It's been a real honor to be involved with this industry. When the story hit the trade magazines, I received cards and letter from shops all over the country. It's really helped. It's just a pleasure working with this industry." The other 2003 Pride Award winners were: • Roger Cada, senior claims education and training instructor for State Farm, who has helped repair or replace vehicles for single parents in his community who have been referred by local social service agencies. • Shop owners Michael Quinn and Patrick O'Neill, who not only are active in local charities but who have also encouraged every one of their employees at the four 911 Collision Centers in Tucson, Arizona, to become involved in some activity that benefits their community.
The newest "eagles" are industry trainer Toby Chess, Akzo Nobel's Tom Moreland and Rod Enlow. • Marco Grossi, owner of Collision Craftsman, a multi-shop business in Michigan, whose fund-raising efforts to help send children with cancer to summer camp sessions at Camp Mak-a-Dream in Montana eventually led to the NABC's successful effort to raise $500,000 for a new medical center at the camp. "The National Auto Body Council's mission is to improve the image of our industry," stated NABC Chairman Doug Webb. "These people represent everything good the industry has to offer. I hope others in the industry look at them as role models, because that is how they deserve to be seen. I congratulate them for showing our industry in the best possible light." Four more in "Hall of Eagles" Four more members of the industry have been inducted into the "Hall of Eagles," an honor bestowed on fewer than 100 people in the past 13 years for their significant positive impact on the industry. To be inducted requires receiving the vote of at least two-thirds of the "current Eagles." Although none of this year's inductees are shop owners, each has a long history of involvement with the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and working to help improve the industry. The newest "eagles" are Akzo Nobel's Tom Moreland, long-time industry trainer Toby Chess, State Farm claims consultant John Kent, and Rod Enlow, now a consultant after 35 years in the insurance industry.
ASA, SCRS honor CIC committee For the third year, the Automotive Service Association (ASA) and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) jointly presented the "ASA/SCRS Industry Award" to recognize the most positive contribution made to the industry in the past year. This year's award went to the CIC Estimating Committee, which among other activities has maintained a website for inquiries about the estimating databases, resulting in a number of positive changes for repairers. The committee is currently co-chaired by March Taylor, Tom Fleming and Chad Sulkala. ABRN presents award, scholarship Taylor, owner of Autobody Hawaii, spent a fair amount of time on stage receiving awards in Orlando. In addition to the CIC committee he co-chairs being honored, he received the annual "Industry Leadership Award" from Auto Body Repair News (ABRN). The magazine's editor-in-chief, Russell Thrall III, told the audience that because of Taylor's work to improve the estimating databases, "your lives have been affected by his work." The magazine also presented the Emil Stanley Merit Award to Kris Story, vice president of operations for Story Bros., Inc., in New Britain, Connecticut. As the winner, Story received a trip to NACE in Orlando to continue her management training. SkillsUSA/VICA winners honored Recognized during NACE were the national winners of the SkillsUSA/VICA collision repair competition, held last summer. The secondary division winner was Nicolaus Ranker of Warrent Occupational Tech Center in Lakewood, Colorado. For the post-secondary division, the winner was Tim Pranke of North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota.
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