About I-CAR - Current Events/News: E-newsletter: 2008 E-newsletter Archives: July 21, 2008

I-CAR announced that enhancements to its web site will add strength to its privacy policy through greater security surrounding students’ private data. The training organization’s policy complies with the Federal Privacy Act requirements and the enhancements, which will ensure that a students’ private information remains secure while improving the ability to manage accounts online, were developed through ongoing feedback from its customers. I-CAR offers a range of individualized services and information through its web site including localized class searches and access to transcripts.

I-CAR introduced the enhancement on its my.i-car.com web site on July 17. Students logging into their accounts as of that date are now required to reset their passwords and confirm their personal information. Going forward students will have the ability to change passwords or retrieve lost passwords online, thereby minimizing the need to contact I-CAR directly for routine processes. Students will also be able to share information directly with an employer if they choose to do so. The enhancements to the web site also lay the groundwork for future training management solutions designed to meet the needs of the collision repair inter-industry.

I-CAR ANNOUNCES NEW OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR F’08.5

For improved strategic purposes and better financial planning, the I-CAR International Board of Directors approved a change in the I-CAR fiscal year from July 1 – June 30 to January 1 – December 31. Implementation of this change required a shortened, interim fiscal year of July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 (termed F’08.5), with the first new calendar-based fiscal year beginning January 2009.

At its July 16 meeting, the International Board of Directors elected the following Officers and Executive Committee for F’08.5: Chairman Robby Robbs, NuCon Services Inc.; Vice Chairman Tom Moreland, Akzo Nobel Coatings, Inc.; Secretary Chad Sulkala, Allstate Insurance Company; Treasurer Mike Schoonover, Schoonover Bodyworks Inc. for Automotive Service Association; Member-at-Large Elise Quadrozzi, AssuranceAmerica; and Member-at-Large Terry Angell, Warren Tech.

The remaining directors include: Bruce Bares, Hi-Tech Collision & Glass Centers; William Brower, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company; Bruce Cooley, DuPont Performance Coatings; James F. Doherty, General Motors Corporation; Chris Evans, State Farm Insurance - Education Foundation Representative; Rick Jazwin, Universal Technical Institute, Inc.; Robert Keith, CARSTAR; Sam Pezzullo, State Farm Insurance – Canadian Representative; Greg Potter for Equipment & Tool Institute; Monica Rivers, BMW of North America, LLC; Eugene Scambray, Copart Auto Auctions; and Bill Stage, Akzo Nobel Coatings, Inc.

Board members whose terms have expired or are up for re-election will be elected at the February 2009 annual membership meeting, with the I-CAR International Board of Directors subsequently electing the Officers for 2009 at its February Board Meeting. A Call for Candidates will be sent to the I-CAR Membership in advance of the February 2009 meeting.

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 the following six industry segments: collision repair; insurance; equipment, tools, and supplies; education, training, and research; vehicle manufacturers; and related industry services.

I-CAR AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIRMAN

The recent meeting of the I-CAR Australia Trust and the Board of Management held in Sydney endorsed the election of John Zulian as its new Chairman. Zulian is a leading collision repairer in the Adelaide market who has had a significant influence on the industry through the Motor Trade Association. He is also a member of the Master Collision Repair Specialists and the Australian Accident Repair Network.

Zulian replaces David Weatherall who served as the Inaugural Chairman since the 2006 inception of I-CAR in Australia.

In making the announcement I-CAR Australia CEO Richard Pratt said, “the Board acknowledged the significant commitment by David in the guidance, support and leadership he provided in establishing the organization locally. David’s name is synonymous with being a leader of change. His involvement with I-CAR enabled the organization to forge ahead in its formative years, establishing a platform that has provided a solid base on which the organization can build.”

Zulian is supported by Mark Brady from Brisbane in his role as Vice Chairman and Treasurer.

“I-CAR Australia is embarking on some exciting programs in the coming years, and will continue with its flexible delivery of quality education and training courses across an increasing number of venues in 2009,” said Pratt. “The momentum and excitement surrounding I-CAR grows daily as the industry accepts the challenge of increasing professionalism in the industry and lifting the quality of collision damaged vehicle repair.”

ATTENDING THE I-CAR INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING?

If you plan to attend the I-CAR International Annual Meeting this week in Scottsdale, Arizona, I-CAR looks forward to seeing you there! There will be many networking opportunities. I-CAR will also continue to seek the “Voice of the Industry” in sessions designed to collect honest feedback. Program Instructors and volunteers will be given additional marketing tools to take home with them and will be recognized for their efforts. And as always, technical presentations will be given by vehicle manufacturers and there will be much more!

Find general information about the meeting at www.i-car.com/annualmeeting.

I-CAR REALIGNS CENTRAL AND EASTERN ZONES

In an effort to balance Zone alignments and to provide better service to the Volunteers and Program Instructors in the states of Alabama and Ohio, I-CAR has made the following changes effective July 1. The state of Alabama which was formerly part of the Eastern Zone will now be assigned to the Central Zone and the state of Ohio which was part of the Central Zone will now be assigned to the Eastern Zone. As part of this transition, an Area Training Coordinator (formerly Zone Trainer) will be assigned to each state to assist the Zone Manager in making sure all training needs are being met.

Johnny Dickerson has been assigned to be the Area Training Coordinator for the state of Alabama. He has been associated with I-CAR for many years and will be a very valuable asset in assisting the Alabama Volunteers and Program Instructors with the scheduling and coordinating of classes. The Area Training Coordinator for Ohio has not been assigned yet. There will be more information in the next few weeks as the transition becomes complete.

For more information, the Central Zone office may be contacted directly at 615.220.2474. Or contact the Eastern Zone office directly at 585.377.8040.

LOS ANGELES TECHNICIAN IS 2.5* MILLIONTH PROFESSIONAL TO COMPLETE
I-CAR TRAINING

2,500,000 collision repair professionals have now taken I-CAR Live training - illustrating a true display of professionalism within the inter-industry. To celebrate this achievement, the 2,500,000th collision industry professional who has taken I-CAR Live training will be awarded the opportunity to take two free Live Training Programs and two free Online Training Programs equating to 2.5 I-CAR Points once training is completed and passed. Abraham Deleon of Mr. Polish Auto Body in Los Angeles, California is the lucky recipient.

Norma Rodriguez, Shop Manager for Mr. Polish Auto Body in Los Angeles registered Abraham Deleon for the Live Training program Vehicle Identification, Estimating Systems, and Terminology (DAM01). ”Abraham was truly surprised to get a call from I-CAR telling him that he won free I-CAR training. We were all pleasantly surprised about the news. Abraham felt the class was beneficial to him and for what he does as a Master Technician I know he is looking forward to taking more training with I-CAR.”

“The fact that 2.5 million students have now taken I-CAR training is truly a noteworthy training achievement and milestone for the collision repair inter-industry,” remarked John Edelen, I-CAR President and CEO. “Mr. Deleon and the rest of the collision repair industry should be proud of their commitment to training. This milestone is evidence that the collision industry values training, and values I-CAR as a provider of that training.”

“It is amazing to me to think how many hours the inter-industry has dedicated to continued training,” exclaimed Jeff Peevy, I-CAR Director of Field Operations, North America. “The inter-industry has devoted 10 million hours to training! This is truly a mark of dedication on the part of I-CAR and the inter-industry.”

Formed by the collision repair inter-industry in 1979, I-CAR focuses on helping the industry professionals achieve a high level of technical training and this milestone continues to bring the industry closer to the I-CAR Vision: every person in the collision industry, current and future, has the necessary knowledge and skills relevant to their position to achieve a complete and safe repair.

*Please note that this number does not mean 2.5 million different students, each time a person has taken a class they are counted or the number accounts for repeated students.

NATIONWIDE INSURANCE COMPANY CONTRIBUTES $10,000 TO THE I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

Nationwide Insurance Company contributed $10,000 in May to support the I-CAR Education Foundation mission. This contribution to the Education Foundation’s Industry Partners Annual Fund will support many Education Foundation activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry.

"Nationwide Insurance Company has been a strong supporter of the Education Foundation for over 10 years," said Chris Evans, Chairman of the I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees. "Their recent donation will help the Education Foundation to pursue its new mission which includes elevating the collision repair education system through school curriculum grants, instructor training grants, and student scholarships. Ultimately, Nationwide is paving the way for the future collision industry."

“Nationwide is pleased to add a new chapter to its long history of supporting the I-CAR Education Foundation. We see this as a way to extend our important work in the collision industry,” said Nationwide Associate Vice President of Claims, Terry Fortner.

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more than $160 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks 104th on the Fortune 500 list. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, homeowners, life, health, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mutual funds, pensions and long-term savings plans. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE ASSOCIATION CONTRIBUTES $5,000 TO THE I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) contributed $5,000 in May to support the I-CAR Education Foundation mission. This contribution to the Education Foundation’s Industry Partners Annual Fund will support many Education Foundation activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry.

"Speaking as a representative of the I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees and the I-CAR Education Foundation staff, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Automotive Service Association for their support," said Chris Evans, Chairman of the I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees. "The Education Foundation is proud to have financial contributors like Automotive Service Association that truly understand the importance of improving career and technical education."

Ron Pyle, president and chief staff executive of the Automotive Service Association, said, “ASA is honored to be able to contribute in this way to the I-CAR Education Foundation’s education efforts, and the association is fully supportive of the important work the Education Foundation does on behalf of the collision industry and the ASA collision repair community.”

The Automotive Service Association advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. It is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. For additional information, visit www.asashop.org.

ALLDATA RECOGNIZES I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ALLDATA COLLISION(sm) SUBSCRIPTIONS AWARDED TO TWO STUDENTS

ALLDATA LLC has awarded complimentary ALLDATA Collision subscriptions to the two winners of the I-CAR 2008 Education Foundation scholarship program.

The I-CAR Secondary School Scholarship winner is Matthew Landman of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. Matthew attends Beaver County Area Vocational Technical School. The Post-Secondary School Winner is Michael Luna of Sequin, Texas. Michael attends St. Philip’s College in San Antonio, Texas.

"The I-CAR Education Foundation appreciates the support of ALLDATA in our effort to support activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry," said Russell Thrall III, Interim Associate Director of the Education Foundation. "Encouraging and assisting talented young people such as our scholarship winners to pursue careers in the collision industry will benefit everyone. Armed with training and accurate information, they should have bright futures in a highly rewarding profession."

Each winner will receive a one-year online subscription for ALLDATA Collision, which provides a single source for vehicle manufacturers’ collision repair information, along with up-to-date factory service bulletins.

“The collision industry is in need of professionally trained technicians,” said ALLDATA’s Senior Program Manager for Collision Dan Espersen. “ALLDATA is committed to helping bring skilled individuals, such as these two students, into the industry. They have made a great career choice.”

The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (“I-CAR”), a not-for-profit corporation, was established by the collision industry in 1979 to provide training to collision technicians. The I-CAR Education Foundation was created in 1991 to meet the need of bringing new employees into the field of collision repair.

About AutoZone’s ALLDATA

ALLDATA, founded in 1986, with more than 70,000 repair shops as subscribers, is the leading provider of manufacturers’ service and repair information, shop management software and customer relations tools for the automotive repair and collision industries. Professional automotive repair shops across North America depend on ALLDATA for their automotive repair information needs, and purchase AutoZone® parts from more than 2,200 AutoZone Commercial program locations.

The ALLDATA® Repair(sm) subscription, available online and on DVD, provides comprehensive, factory-correct repair information. Also available are: ALLDATA Manage(sm) strategic shop management system; ALLDATA Market(sm) web-based shop marketing tools to bring in new and repeat business; ALLDATA Collision,(sm) a single source of OEM collision information delivering factory-correct, unedited and regularly updated information for structural repairs and more; and the AutoZone Aftermarket Parts Catalog and AZ PartsConnect(sm) program for aftermarket parts estimating and electronic ordering. ALLDATA®diy.com provides consumers with repair articles, factory technical service bulletins, and illustrations for a specific vehicle, along with a link to ALLDATA-approved repair shops. Visit www.alldata.com for more information.

About AutoZone:

As of May 3, 2008, AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories through 4,032 AutoZone stores in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in the U.S. and 130 stores in Mexico.

AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. Each store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Many stores also have a commercial sales program that provides commercial credit and prompt delivery of parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, and service stations. AutoZone also sells the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software. On the web, AutoZone sells diagnostic and repair information, and auto and light truck parts through www.autozone.com. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation.

BROWARD COUNTY I-CAR COMMITTEE HOSTS A NEW TYPE OF EVENT TO HELP LOCAL CAREER AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

On Saturday, May 3, 2008, the Broward County I-CAR Committee hosted their first “Casino Night” fundraiser. The event, called “I Train Because I Care Fundraiser,” was held on the Princess Lady of the Fort Lauderdale New River. Over 100 people were in attendance.

The proceeds from the event, which totaled over $8,000, will benefit two local career and technical schools in the area, Atlantic Technical Center and Sheridan Technical Center. Both schools are members of the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance(sm) so their students qualify for I-CAR credits (points). The funds raised from the Casino Night will help to pay for these I-CAR credits (points) and will also provide the schools with the curriculum and training aids that they need for the classroom.

“Raising funds for Atlantic Technical Center and Sheridan Technical Center in Broward County, Florida is a year-round effort for our committee,” said Julia Suppe, a member of the Broward County I-CAR Committee. “We realize that we need to add a little ‘FUN’ in ‘fundraising’ so that collision repair facilities will continue to support our cause. By helping the schools properly train students and integrate them into the workforce, we are helping secure our future. It's a no-brainer!”

“The Broward I-CAR Committee has really embraced the I-CAR Education Foundation’s new mission and has worked tirelessly to ensure that the schools in their area have the most up-to-date teaching material and the best opportunities,” said Melissa Marscin, Development Administrator for the I-CAR Education Foundation. “We applaud their efforts and encourage other I-CAR Committees to host similar events to help their local schools.”

If you would like to support school scholarships and grants, the I-CAR Education Foundation hosts the “Collision Repair Education Campaign,” a fund where donations can be made by members of the collision industry. Eighty-five percent of funds raised through this campaign go to support scholarships and curriculum grants. Recently, $100,000 worth of scholarships and grants were awarded through this campaign. For more information, visit
www.ed-foundation.org

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