Crash Champions CMO Named Finalist for Two Dallas Marketing Awards
Crash Champions Chief Marketing Officer Daniel Briones has been named a finalist for both the 2026 Dallas CMO ORBIE Awards and the American Marketing Association Dallas-Fort Worth CMO of the Year Award. Briones joined Crash Champions in 2021; during that period the company grew by more than 600 locations.
"This recognition is truly a reflection of the talented team I have the privilege of working with every day and the People First culture we've built together at Crash Champions," Briones said.
The AMA DFW winner will be announced at a live awards ceremony.
WIN Opens Registration for September Virtual Conference
The Women's Industry Network has opened registration for its second annual Virtual Conference, set for Sept. 10-11, 2026. The event runs two five-hour sessions — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT each day — built around community, skills and strategy, with leadership keynotes, technical breakouts, structured networking and workforce panel discussions.
Early Bird pricing is available through July 10. Two-day registration for WIN members is $110 ($135 after July 10); non-members pay $135 ($160 after July 10). One-day registration is $79 for both. Employees of WIN sponsor companies may have access to a sponsor code. Information and registration are available at womensindustrynetwork.com.
"This isn't just another virtual event. It's a space to grow, connect, and take action," said Leila Hobart, WIN Virtual Conference Chair.
ASE to Move Automotive Service Professionals Month to Car Care Months
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence announced it will transition Automotive Service Professionals Month from June to October and April beginning in 2026-27, aligning the observance with the industry's established Fall and Spring Car Care Months. ASE will still observe ASPM this June before implementing the shift.
The move is intended to connect technician recognition with car care events that repair facilities and dealerships already host each season.
"Many of the repair facilities that employ ASE-certified professionals already participate in these seasonal events, so aligning ASPM with them creates a natural opportunity to highlight the skill, training and dedication of these technicians," said Dave Johnson, ASE president and CEO. ASE certification requires renewal every five years.
Houston Car Show Honors Jeff Wilson, Raises Nearly $10,000 for Collision Students
The collision repair community gathered May 16 in Houston for the inaugural Jeff Wilson Memorial Car Show at SpindleTap Brewery, raising just under $10,000 in scholarships for local collision repair students. Organized by the Houston I-CAR Committee in partnership with the Collision Repair Education Foundation, the event honored Wilson's legacy and his impact on those around him in the industry.
I-CAR State Chair Adan Ibarra, a longtime friend of Jeff and the Wilson family and owner of Leading Edge Collision, played a significant role in helping bring the event together. For many involved, the show represented more than a fundraiser. It was an opportunity to celebrate Jeff’s life, support future students entering the industry, and continue the sense of community and mentorship that Jeff valued so deeply.
Forty-seven vehicles participated across categories including Best of Show, Best Paint, Best Interior and People's Choice. Wilson's parents, Carolyn and Stan Wilson, attended throughout the day. I-CAR CEO Kyle Thompson and AVP Terry Ticel were also present. Raffle winners Robbie Saladino and Wayne Smith of Sunmight donated their prizes, an RC car and a custom painted skateboard, to the collision repair program at Kingwood Park High School.
Women in Auto Care Awards Nominations Now Open
Women in Auto Care, a community of the Auto Care Association, is accepting nominations through June 30 for its annual Women in Auto Care Awards. Categories include Women of Excellence, Outstanding Leadership, Lifetime Achievement, Female Shop Owner of the Year, Company Ally of the Year and Champion of the Year.
Recipients will be recognized at the Women in Auto Care Awards Breakfast at AAPEX on Nov. 4, 2026. More information is available at autocare.org.
NABC Recycled Rides Donates Vehicle to Veterans Service Dog Program
The National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program presented a 2021 KIA Sorento LX, donated by GEICO and refurbished by Crash Champions technicians in Grovetown, Ga., to Pawsitive for Heroes, a veterans' service dog program of WNYHeroes, on June 3. The presentation took place at American Legion Post 71 in North Augusta, S.C.
Pawsitive for Heroes pairs trained service dogs with veterans who have service-connected disabilities. The vehicle will support travel required for animal training and veteran placement.
"This vehicle will make an immediate impact right here in Georgia, helping our team continue the important work of connecting with veterans, support our service dog teams, and ensure those who have served our nation receive the assistance they deserve," said WNYHeroes President and Iraq war veteran Chris Kreiger, Sr.
CIECA Webinar to Address ADAS Calibration Disconnect
The Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association will host a free webinar June 18 at 2 p.m. EDT on ADAS calibration issues, challenges and opportunities. Presenter Joel Adcock of Revv — who also serves as executive director of the United ADAS Collective and on the ASA board of directors — will address the disconnect between OEM procedure data, estimate data and diagnostic data, and explain why calibration failures typically trace to systems integration rather than the technology itself. Registration information is available at cieca.com.
ASE Hosting Free PicoScope 7 Webinar June 9
ASE will host a free one-hour webinar June 9 at 4 p.m. ET on getting the most out of PicoScope 7 software. Presenter Justin Morgan of Pico Technology will cover the setup wizard, actions, annotations, math channels and workflow tips for faster waveform analysis. Participants in the live session will receive a certificate of attendance. Registration is available at ase.com.
Firestone Complete Auto Care Marks 100 Years
Bridgestone Retail Operations announced plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Firestone Complete Auto Care across its more than 1,800 U.S. locations. Centennial plans include a first-ever state of auto care report drawing on data from across the Firestone network, an online history archive and the donation of its 100th Driving Great Futures passenger van to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
"Over the past century, Firestone Complete Auto Care has become a trusted neighbor and dependable resource in communities across the nation," said Marko Ibrahim, president of Bridgestone Retail Operations. Firestone's technician training program is accredited by ASE.
