The I-CAR Education Foundation presented its slate of trustees and executive committee for Fiscal 2006. Serving on the Executive Committee are Chairman Clark Plucinski, True2Form Collision Repair Centers; Vice Chair Paul J. Huber, Allstate Insurance Company; Treasurer Chris Evans, State Farm Insurance Companies; Secretary Sharon Merwin, CCAR; and member-at- large Rick Jazwin, Universal Technical Institute; and immediate past chair BrianWhitcomb, General Motors Corporation. 

"Brian's leadership has led to the development of a range of products and services that directly benefit all segments of the industry. We truly need to help the inter- industry understand our mission - to attract entry level candidates and assist in preparing them for careers in the collision industry - and the value the Foundation brings to the table," stated new chairman Plucinski. "My immediate goal is to explain to all segments of our industry how they can leverage their investment in the Foundation to benefit their business directly today."

Ronald W. Ray, executive director of the I-CAR Education Foundation offered, "We would like to recognize Brian Whitcomb's leadership as chairman the last two years, and we look forward to working with Clark Plucinski in his new role. The Foundation could not exist without the support, leadership and guidance from our dedicated board members. The Board is represented by all segments of the collision industry and these individuals will only strengthen our abilities to fulfill the Foundation mission."

Plucinski continued, "New services such as the Education Foundation PACE+ST3® apprenticeship program were designed specifically to satisfy repairers' need for qualified entry-level technicians. The CollisionCareers.org recruitment web site to be launched this fall will provide a recruitment tool for all segments of the industry by detailing the wide range of careers available within repair facilities, insurers, suppliers and other segments of the collision industry.

"The curriculum we provide to schools, the support to instructors through the Collision Repair Instructor's Network, and the myriad other services developed by the Foundation with the industry's investment, will accelerate the quality, focus, and professionalism of those coming into our industry.

"I look forward to working with the board, our wonderfully dedicated staff and I-CAR to move the organization to the next level. The sky is indeed the limit," concluded Plucinski.

New I-CAR leaders

I-CAR announced its 2005-2006 International Board of Directors and Executive Committee at the 2005 I-CAR International Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona. The board of directors sets the overall strategic direction for the organization and assists in obtaining resources in support of the I-CAR mission. The board of directors is comprised of representatives from each of six industry segments: collision repair; insurance; equipment, tools, and supplies; education, training, and research; vehicle manufacturers; and re-lated industry services.

The 2005-2006 Executive Committee consists of: Chair Rod Enlow, Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR); Vice Chair Robby Robbs, Nobilas; Secretary/Treasurer Rick Ciesla, DaimlerChrysler; Immediate Past Chair Nick Notte, Nobilas; and John Edelen, Allstate Insurance Company.

The board also includes 16 directors: Terry Angell, Warren Tech; Vince Claudio, Caliber Collision Centers; Tom Dance, Herb's Paint & Body Shops, Director-At- Large; Jim Doherty, General Motors Corporation; Terry M. Fortner, Nation-wide Insurance; Nick Gojmeric, Nick's SOS Garage Inc. & Collision Plus Auto Body Repair Centers; Rick Jazwin, Universal Technical Institute; Jerry Kottschade, Jerry's Body Shop for Automotive Service Association; Dave McClain, Ford Motor Company; Joran Olsson, Pro Spot International Inc. for Equipment & Tool Institute; Sam Pezzullo, State Farm Insurance Canada, Canadian Representative; Clark Plucinski, True2Form Collision Repair Centers, Education Foundation Representative; Rich Rosenthal, USAA; Eugene Scambray, Copart Auto Auctions; Edward T. Staquet, Lord Fusor Corporation; and Chad Sulkala, Acme Body & Paint Inc. for the Society of Collision Repair Specialists.

Foundation executive committee

In addition to the Executive Committee, the Foundation Board of Trustees consists of: Mark Algie, 3M Company; Jerry Burns, Automotive Impressions, Inc.; Bruce Cooley, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes; Jim Dickens, CCC Information Services, Inc.; John Eager, Property Casualty Insurance Association of America; Greg Gambrel, Walker Career Center; Nick Gervase, Lord Corporation; Greg Horn, GMAC Insurance; Steve Seidner, Seidner's Collision Centers; Gregory S. Settle, Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc.; Roger Tadajewski, Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES); Roland Taube, Akzo Nobel Coatings Canada; Freda Thompson, ACE Auto Body; and Jose Vargas, Texas State Technical College.

Trustee Emeriti are J. Laurence Costin, CCC Information Services, Inc.; Lirel G. Holt, CCAR; Frank D. McGiboney; Chuck S. Sulkala, Acme Body and Paint, Inc.; and Russ Verona, East Rockford Collision Center.

Two Chairmen Emeriti are Don Askew, Askew Enterprises and Larry J. Carter, Car-O-Liner Company.