Recalibrate
I-CAR is aligning the industry by innovating for the better! In 2019, I-CAR will be launching many enhancements to their programs and services that will elevate knowledge and skills for the industry.
In this issue, you will find:
- All Roads Point to I-CAR's True North
- Next-Gen Learning Platform Catapults I-CAR Training Experience
- Driving the Conversation: Raising the Bar on Gold Class
- myI-CAR Undergoes Major Reboot in 2019
- What’s New at I-CAR
- And Much More!
Billy Neal
Charlie Brooks
Johnny Hinojos
Rick Cope
Q1 – I-CAR's New Requirements
Q2 – Courses in Spanish
Q3 – More Meaningful Gold Class Recognition
Q4 – Gold Class Most Exciting Changes
Q5 – Benefits of Training
Q6 – One Word to Describe I-CAR's Gold Class Enhancements
Q7 – Why Pursue Gold Glass
PANEL BIOs
Billy Neal has been a part of the collision repair industry since 2001. He began his career in the accounting office of AutoBody Express, a collision repair franchise that has been I-CAR Gold Class since 2007. Eventually, Neal moved up the ranks at Autobody Express to become General Manager of their shop in Longview Texas, a position that he held for 10 years. In 2015 Neal moved into the franchise division to help support all AutoBody Express locations and to seek out new ones. Neal is currently co-owner and COO of the corporate-owned stores and the franchise company.
Charlie Brooks, owner and president of iAuto Collision Center in Spindale, NC achieved his success in the collision repair industry through what some may call an unconventional path. Originally going to school for medicine, Brooks earned his doctorate before making the life-changing decision to pursue his true passion in 1999. Brooks, a strong advocate for bringing licensing and certification to the collision repair industry, currently serves as the vice president of training for the I-CAR committee of Western North Carolina.
Johnny Hinojos is no stranger to the collision repair industry. A second-generation business owner, Johnny is the Owner/Manager of Advanced Auto Collision in El Paso, Texas. Advanced Auto Collision, in business for nearly 40 years, runs a Direct Repair Program with various insurance companies, and repairs all of the city emergency vehicles in El Paso. Hinojos has been an I-CAR instructor since 1992, and an El Paso Community College (EPPC) instructor since 2003. Hinojos also volunteered on an advisory committee at EPPC that was awarded a $1.6 million grant to produce technicians for the Auto Collision Industry, graduating 60 students from the program. Hinojos will be lead instructor to a new EL Paso Community College Auto Collision Program that is currently being built for young men and women interested in our industry.
Rick Cope, a second-generation business-owner, has been a part of the automotive industry for longer than he can remember. After graduating from Boise State's Auto Body Program, Rick tried his hand at nearly every shop role possible. He now owns Cope Collision, a family owned and operated shop in Idaho, which has been in business for 55 years, and a gold class shop since 2007. Rick currently serves as the Boise area I-CAR committee chair, and is on the advisory committee for the College of Western Idaho and the Dennis Technical Education Center.
Terry Ticel, I-CAR's Senior Manager of National Business Development, has a long-standing relationship with I-CAR. While starting his position as Senior Manager nearly three years ago, Ticel served as an I-CAR instructor from 1995 to 2006. Ticel's time as an instructor contributes to the diverse range of experience he brings to his most recent role at I-CAR. Ticel served as president of Professional Representatives, LLC for over seven years before transitioning to Market Development Manager at 3M Automotive Aftermarket. After his time at 3M, he worked at Converting Technologies and National Oak Distributors, Inc. before assuming his current position at I-CAR in 2016.