A Small Shop Owner with Passion Big Enough to Impact the Industry

11/24/2025 by I-CAR

As much heart as he puts into it, running his state-of-the-art Gold Class® shop doesn’t begin to use up John Melendez’s immense passion for collision repair. “Collision repair made me the person I am today,” he says. “I want to be an advocate for the industry. I want to show young people you can do very well for yourself in collision repair.” Forty years into a rewarding career – half of it spent running JDM Collision, currently a single shop in south suburban Chicago – Melendez wants to make a difference “that makes the industry better.”

Most of his volunteer work as I-CAR’s Northwest Indiana committee chair is focused on support for technical schools and students. He’s also a sought-after speaker at industry events; a respected information source for the trade media; and a go-to resource for hundreds of contacts he’s made through networking.

Some examples of Melendez’s impact:

• Made the case at an Illinois educator conference for integrating mechanical and collision repair curriculum
• Addressed automotive engineers at Reuters Automotive USA 2025 in Detroit on detailed OEM repair procedures
• Participated in panels at SEMA 2025 in Las Vegas covering repair planning and mentoring
• A repeat guest on Collision Vision podcast and quoted in the trade media
• Developed a cost-effective curriculum plan for a school with limited space, calling on recyclers to design a custom training prop

This is passion at the macro-level. It can help bring new talent into the industry, improve dialog between industry segments, and raise the quality of collision repairs through education. “I’ve learned how to build a team and how to find a niche to distinguish and grow my business. But I want something more, something bigger than running a shop,” he says.

It’s gratifying to grow a business that provides a good living for you and your employees, but John Melendez is “most grateful for the journey itself. It’s brought me challenges and taught me discipline, consistency, and integrity. Along the way, I’ve met a lot of great people. I love what I do.”

A passion as big as Melendez’s is often nurtured at an early age. He grew up in his father’s shop, and in high school, took auto shop, but saw collision repair as a fallback. College plans were disrupted, and he returned to collision repair work but soon found he’d outgrown his father’s shop. Vehicles were changing, and he saw new opportunities ahead. “I stopped looking at collision repair as something I had to do.” It became a choice embraced with certainty.

To get up to speed on emerging technologies, Melendez looked for employers who offered training. He believed his success would hinge on education and certifications – and 40 years later, that’s still true and what keeps JDM Collision thriving. Technicians are cross-trained, five techs are I-CAR Platinum, and the remaining techs and future hires will be required to earn this credential.

Education is an investment that improves the bottom line, which is why JDM Collision has a training subscription for all its staff. “A common thing shops do wrong,” says Melendez, “is they don’t stay engaged with what’s coming next. The best place to get help is I-CAR.”

Melendez sought technician jobs at well-equipped MSOs, but was drawn to dealership collision repair centers for their in-depth training. This pivot impacted his career in many positive ways; four dealerships now refer him 95% of his customers. Working under mentors on the same few models, he honed his technical skills. He became a Master GM technician – one of many credentials he maintains today as a hands-on shop owner. “If I can’t do the work myself, how can I lead by example?” JDM Collision follows OEM procedures to the letter, and the only network programs Melendez participates in are OEM managed.

In 1997, he landed at a large dealership where he’d eventually gain an ownership option for their collision repair operation. Eight years later, he was the proud owner of JDM Collision in Thornton, Illinois.

Over its 20 years history, JDM Collision has evolved with changing circumstances, including retooling for three OEM-certified network programs. The current 13,000-square-foot operation, featuring an infrared robotics paint curing system and a certified ADAS calibration center, is so busy, it’s “bursting at the seams.” Melendez just adopted the I-CAR Academy program to onboard entry-level technicians, starting with two new apprentices from a local technical school. He is also looking for another location.

Melendez will grow only as far as his high standards can hold up. He wants to be the best, rather than the biggest,. Smaller shops have advantages, and he knows how to leverage them.

“You don’t have to be big to be good. A smaller operation is easier to manage. That’s one of the reasons we do such consistently high-quality work.”

He believes customers will beat a path to a shop that “fix cars the right way,” but advises shops to understand their market and build niche specialties. A major investment in a fast-curing paint system supports his strategy. As a master GM technician, he specializes in the C8 Corvette and personally supports these customers. “Making the customer happy is why I get up in the morning.” Word of mouth has brought in business from the ultra-luxury vehicle market as well. (See a C8 repair in progress on Melendez’s LinkedIn.)

“That vehicle makers rely on I-CAR to administer welding certification says a lot about I-CAR’s value to the industry.” Melendez didn’t join I-CAR recognition programs until 2018, when GM made Gold Class a requirement. “It’s made us better. Whenever a new module comes out, we’re on it..”

I-CAR is an ideal outlet for Melendez’s passion for collision repair. Six years ago, he stepped up to chair the newly-formed I-CAR Northwest Indiana committee. He looks forward to participating in a new initiative supporting schools that feed the labor pipeline. “No is not in my vocabulary when it comes to I-CAR,” he says.

“No” doesn’t seem to be in Melendez’s vocabulary for anything that can strengthen the collision repair industry.