Leadership
National Auto Body Council® Elects New Board Members,
Confirms Current Board Members at 2023 Annual Meeting During The 2023 SEMA Show
At the 2023 NABC® Annual Meeting, the National Auto Body Council® held its board elections at the Liberace Garage at the Hollywood Car Museum for the upcoming year. In addition to re-electing four members whose terms were expiring, it also welcomed three new members to the National Auto Body Council® Board.
Active members in attendance at the in-person and virtual NABC® annual meeting had an opportunity to vote on the board members to guide the organization forward over the next three years.
Newly elected board members include:
- Shirin Hezar, Strategic Accounts Director, Caliber Collision
- Sabrina Thring, Brand President, Collision Group, Driven Brands
- Tom Wolf, Director of Strategic Accounts, USCA, for PPG
Board members Gerry Poirier, Katie Pharr, Paul Williams and Ben Clymer, Jr. were re-elected to their position on the board.
The 2023 – 2024 NABC Board of Directors includes:
- Ben Clymer, Jr., CEO, Ben Clymer’s The Body Shop
- Clint Marlow, Director – Claims Innovation and Customer Experience, Allstate Insurance
- Jennifer Hubbard, Strategic Solutions Advisor, CCC Intelligent Solutions
- Don Porter, Internal Business/Industry Consultant, United Recyclers Group
- Darren Huggins, National Collision Center Director, Berkshire Hathaway Automotive
- Doug Schlueter, Principal, MSO Business Development, I-CAR
- Gene Lopez, Director of Development and Training, Seidner’s Collision Centers
- Gerry Poirier, Automotive Industry Consultant, Vector Squared LLC
- Katie Pharr, AVP, Nexterra
- Kevin Creegan, Easter Regional Manager, DeVilbiss Automotive Refinish
- Kristle Bollans, Director of Replacement Accounts, Hertz Corporation
- Matt Immerfall, Executive Chairman, All Star Auto Lights
- Paul Williams, VP of Business Development, Honk for Help
- Scott Sampley, Vice President of the Replacement & Leisure Division, Enterprise Mobility
- Roy Schnepper, President, Butler’s Collision
- Kyle Medeiros, Business Solutions Manager, Enterprise Mobility
- Justin Clark, Senior Director of Sales – US, LKQ
- Shirin Hezar, Strategic Accounts Director, Caliber Collision
- Sabrina Thring, Brand President, Collision Group, Driven Brands
- Tom Wolf, Director of Strategic Accounts, USCA, for PPG
- Alan Scrimager, Senior Lending Officer, Pinnacle Financial Partners
There are several NABC® Board of Directors members who are seated based on their past service as Board Presidents/Chairs:
- George Avery, NABC R.E.E. Program Manager, NABC President 2009/2010
- Stacy Bartnik, Industry Relations Manager, Transportation Technologies, Intertek, NABC President 2011/2012
The NABC® Executive Committee elected new roles for several board members including on the committee:
- Scott Sampley – Chairman
- Darren Huggins – Vice-Chair of Industry Involvement
- Kristle Bollans – Vice-Chair of Community Involvement
- Jennifer Hubbard – Secretary
- Katy Pharr – Treasurer
- Gene Lopez – Director-at-Large
- Clint Marlow – Immediate Past Chair
“We are excited to welcome Shirin Hezar, Sabrina Thring and Tom Wolf to our NABC Board of Directors,” said Debby Robinson, Executive Director of the National Auto Body Council®. “We look forward to working with our volunteer board members – both new and returning – to continue to build positive awareness for our NABC members and enhance the foundation of the wonderful institution of The National Auto Body Council®. Also, we humbly thank outgoing board members Keith Eagan, Brian Newberry and Brian Driehorst for their years of service as they complete their terms of service on the NABC Board.”
Staff
Dale Ross is a veteran of the collision industry, having spent 38 years with 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division in sales and marketing. He is a former Six Sigma Black Belt and Master Black Belt and retired from 3M as the US Marketing Operations Manager for the Collision Repair business in 2019. While at 3M, Dale led the 3M Hire Our Heroes program, which in conjunction with the Collision Repair Education Foundation raised over $1.3 million to help military veterans and their family members to prepare for careers in collision repair. Since then, he has been doing freelance consulting and public relations work within the automotive aftermarket and has donated his time to assist with NABC Recycled Rides® events at SEMA, CIC and various fundraising events.
George began his career in the auto body repair industry working as an auto body technician and painter in Southern California.
George joined State Farm Insurance working in various roles as an auto estimator, estimator trainer, auto claim representative handling property/ injury claims and management. George moved to the State Farm Home Office in Bloomington Illinois as an auto claims instructor. He was later promoted to management in the Learning and Development department where he was responsible for developing and delivering auto estimating curriculum for auto estimating personnel and management companywide.
George assumed an Auto Estimating Consultant role in the State Farm Property and Casualty Claims department. Responsibilities included providing guidance and direction to management in multiple states.
George served as the State Farm spokesperson to the auto repair industry beginning in 2005. George speaks at local, national, and international industry events providing insight on repair issues with industry associations and trade groups as well as the media. After 37 years George retired from State Farm Insurance in June of 2016.
Since retirement, George continues to speak at conferences and other speaking engagements on a variety of topics.
George is a Past President of the National Auto Body Council® (NABC™), has served on the Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) Board of Trustees, is a Past Chairman of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), and a recipient of the Hall of Eagles award for his efforts in the auto body repair industry.
George speaks at local, national, and international industry events providing insight on auto body repair issues and providing quality customer service.
Executive Committee
Term: 11/24
Company: Enterprise
Email Scott
Scott Sampley is Vice President of the Replacement & Leisure Division for Enterprise Holdings Inc. In this role, Sampley oversees sales operations for the company’s most strategic replacement and leisure partners. Enterprise Holdings is the largest car rental company in the world, as measured by revenue and fleet. In addition, Enterprise Holdings is the most comprehensive service provider and only investment-grade company in the U.S. car rental industry.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Southern California in 1991, Sampley joined Enterprise as a Management Trainee in Anaheim, California. He quickly worked his way up the ranks to Branch Manager, Area Manager and Regional Manager of rental operations in Orange County and Long Beach. In 2005, Sampley was promoted to Regional Vice President, where he oversaw operations in San Gabriel Valley and San Fernando Valley. He was promoted again in 2012 to Group Vice President of Southern California home-city operations, where he was responsible for sales and strategic growth. Sampley was promoted to his current role in January 2019.
Sampley has supported several committees and initiatives of the NABC®, including the Fundraising Committee and the NABC® Pars for Cars Golf Fundraisers. In addition, he has been active in United Way, Boys and Girls Clubs and Knights of Columbus charity work.
Darren Huggins, National Collision Center Director with Berkshire Hathaway Automotive, oversees 32 collision centers from California to Florida with sales exceeding $200 million. In his years leading the Berkshire Hathaway Automotive Group his team has delivered ten consecutive years of same store record sales growth, more than doubling the networks business from $ 90 Million in 2007. Based on Lean Manufacturing principles he developed and implemented the Van Tuyl Advanced Production System (VTAPS). He transformed the network to focus on Operational Excellence and accelerated profitable growth. Each year Darren facilitates two performance group meetings with his team, including managers and key stakeholders, to drive change, consistency, sustainability and challenge his team to reach world-class performance.
Kristle Bollans has been with The Hertz Corporation for 17 years, holding positions in both the Airport and Off Airport Divisions. In her current role as Director of Replacement Accounts, Kristle oversees a large team of Account Representatives across the US and Canada that support both Insurance and Fleet Replacement companies onsite at their facilities. Prior to this, Kristle worked in several different rental locations in the Madison, WI area and as an on-site account representative at multiple claim centers, interacting directly with adjusters and shops on a daily basis. Kristle is passionate about the collision industry and giving back in general. She is a member of WIN and sits on the planning committee. Kristle is active in the partnership with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and sits on the scholarship review committee. In addition, Kristle is a leader in Hertz’s Woman’s Employee Resource Group committee volunteering her time to the community.oggle Content
Term: 11/23
Company: CCC
Email Jennifer
With nearly three decades in the collision industry, Jennifer Hubbard’s passion is helping collision repairers use technology to achieve success. Starting as a receptionist at an Arlington, TX body shop, she has progressed in the industry become a trusted member of the CCC Intelligent Solutions Strategic Solutions Team.
Ms. Hubbard has been with CCC since 2002 and has held numerous positions over the past 19 years, including as a Regional Account Manager (serving Texas & Oklahoma), working with Industry Relations to connect insurers and repairers, and was the company’s first Strategic Solutions Advisor, with client management responsibilities for large automotive dealers. She has also represented CCC in China, working across cultural and language barriers to help collision repairers there adopt best practices for success.
Jennifer is ICAR Platinum Certified, a member of WIN (Women’s Industry Network), and serves on that organization’s Industry Relations and Membership committees. She also served on the WIN Board of Directors for two years. Ms. Hubbard has been recognized by CCC for her contributions multiple times and is a three-time winner of both Regional Account Manager of the Year and the coveted Chairman’s Club designation.
A Dallas-Fort Worth area native, Jennifer is an avid traveler and hopes to complete her lifelong goal of
receiving a passport stamp from all seven continents when she visits South America and Antarctica in 2021.
Katie joined the automotive industry in an entry-level position at a national auto damage appraisal firm, The Doan Group, in 2007. After many years mentoring under the CEO, she became Vice President and Partner in 2015. During this time, she spearheaded the company’s rebranding and resurgence during a transition in company ownership. After selling her shares in this venture, Katie became an industry consultant, with her primary client being the National Auto Body Council, serving as the chief data architect and analyst for the NABC’s transition into a new CRM/membership database. This has re-defined how the NABC handles invoicing and member relations on a large scale.
Katie left her paid role with the NABC in January 2020 but continues to assist as co-chair of the Membership Committee. During this time, Katie returned to the claim services space as COO of Connected Claim Services, and she partnered in a salvage company that specialized in online salvage acquisition from both the public and commercial spaces. Currently, Katie operates as an independent industry consultant and resides in Savannah, GA. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, antiquing, and exploring local food scenes.
Gene Lopez is the Director of Development and Training at Seidner’s Collision Centers, where Gene develops procedures, processes, environmental compliance programs, and training programs. Gene has worked in the Collision Repair Industry for 30 years. He began his career with A. D’Angelo & Sons in 1992, in 1998 he began working for Seidner’s Collision Centers. In 2009 Gene was asked to join the I-CAR Field Operations team where he was Regional and National Field Operations Manager for seven years. In May 2016 Gene returned to work for Seidner’s Collision Centers.
Gene is currently the Chairman of the Education Committee for the California Autobody Association (CAA), he is on the Board of Directors for the National Auto Body Association (NABC), and he is the Co-Chair of the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association’s (CIECA) Emerging Technology Committee. He is the recipient of the 1999 Tom Babcox Memorial Scholarship, the 2010 California Autobody Association Member of the Year, He holds the Automotive Management Institute’s Accredited Master Automotive Manager designation and is a life-long learner. Gene lives in Glendora, CA with his wife Kristin, daughters Catalina and Carly. He has two sons, Anthony & Allyn, and three beautiful grandchildren; Anthony, Abel & Ariana. He enjoys cigars, a good glass of whiskey, and the game of golf.
Email Clint
For more than 30 years, Clint Marlow has worked within the auto industry. This career path began in 1984 with an automobile dealer in Madison, CT, where he learned the ins and outs of the auto repair business. His next position was as an auto adjuster with the Allstate Insurance Company in the New England market. He continued in this role through 1996 when he relocated to a local office in Memphis, Tenn.After a succession of roles that included field leadership, process expert, quality assurance, and Senior Manager, a promotion to the company’s headquarters brought Clint and his family to the Chicago Illinois area.
Clint’s current focus at Allstate centers on forwarding looking research, key strategic projects, and Strategic Partnerships.
Board Members
Term: 11/23
Company: LKQ
Email Justin
Result oriented, innovative, and creative Sales and Operations leader with over twenty-three years of hands-on experience in the automotive collision, parts, paint, and insurance claims related industry. Currently responsible for LKQ Corporation’s sales to the top 16 MSO accounts in the US. Began my career in the body shop where I spent 11 years managing all aspects of the collision business. Spent the next 12 years at LKQ Corporation where I have held multiple sales and operations roles.
Term:
Company: Ben Clymer’s The Body Shop
Email Ben
Ben Clymer Jr. is CEO of Ben Clymer’s The Body Shop, Inc, regional MSO collision repair centers that have 5 locations in Southern California. He is the current VP and former President of The Lincoln Club of Riverside County and serves on the following nonprofit boards: Center For Self Governance, Benevolence Foundation, the United Way and the National Auto Body Council.
He lives in Riverside, CA with his wife Nancy and their four children.
Kevin Creegan is the Eastern Regional Manager – Devilbiss Automotive Refinishing. He has more than 27 years’ experience in sales, application, and technical training for adhesives, fasteners, body hardware, abrasives, and automotive appearance products. Throughout his career Kevin has held Leadership positions at Kent Industries, Malco Products, LORD Corporation, and Saint – Gobain Abrasives.
Kevin has been a member of CIC for years and has served several committees. Kevin is active with I-CAR both as a committee member, contributor, and instructor through the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance.
Kevin is starting his second term with the NABC®, and serves as Co-Chair of the Awards Committee. Kevin played an active role in the 2020 “refresh” of the NABC® Awards and is proud to be a part of the team that completed the process. The Awards Committee streamlined the nomination process, and increased the number and quality of nominations received for the awards. The new “NABC® President’s Award” and “NABC® Changing and Saving Lives Award” each come with their own unique Winners’ cup, and they will surely be highly sought after and well respected industry awards well into the future.
Kevin is also Co-Chair on the NABC Recycled Rides® Committee and has hosted (solo) events as well as participated in large gifting’s such as SEMA 2019 and at various NABC® Fundraising events. As Co-Chair he has assisted in the on-boarding of new Program Managers and he works very close with Doug Schlueter, his fellow Co-Chair on the NABC Recycled Rides® Committee.
Kevin believes that NABC Recycled Rides® is one of our greatest industry and community outreach programs, and feels “If you attend a NABC Recycled Rides® presentation-event and a visceral, emotional connection isn’t made… you may not have a pulse!
Kevin attended John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, where he lives with his wife Susan. Kevin and Susan have five grown children and eight grandchildren.
Career Highlights: I have spent much of my career in the Collision Industry, successfully working for several different organizations, including NABC’s largest collision partner, Caliber Collision.
I have experience in leadership positions and relationship positions, which makes her a great fit to join the team.
Industry Involvement: I’m involved in many industry organizations such as WIN and regularly participates in volunteer organizations in my community. I oversee the Caliber team that managers NABC Recycled Rides and am leading the NABC Gala committee
Goal of Serving on the Board: I want to get more involved in the organization and help grow the NABC’s work. I’m passionate about giving back to the industry and to those in need
Factors for Consideration: Hardworking, connected across the industry, committed to the NABC programs
Term: exp.
Company: PPG
Email Tom
Career Highlights: Started my career in the collision industry as a porter/clean up kid. Worked my way in the paint shop for nine years at a budding MSO in the later 80s and early 90s. Hired on with PPG as a technical trainer in 1994. Promoted through the ranks over the last 30 years with PPG and currently lead our strategic teams efforts.
Industry Involvement: CREF – eight years on the Board of Trustees, currently 1st immediate past chair, term expires at the end of 2023
Goal of Serving on the Board: To give back to an industry that has been so good to me and my family.
Other Factors for Consideration: Hard work, dedication and commitment to the greater good
Term: 11/23
Company: All Star
Email Matt
Matt Immerfall, 35, is the CEO of All Star Auto Lights with locations in California, Tennessee, Michigan, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and an additional location in Colorado coming Fall 2019. Matt earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from The University of Central Florida (Class of 2006) and his MBA from The University of Florida (Class of 2009).
Founded in 2005 in the Detroit Metro area in Michigan, All Star Auto Lights exists to deliver insurance quality OEM, foreign and domestic product to body shops and insurance companies and provides an alternative to “going new” on all parts. All Star Auto Lights is redefining the auto parts experience through passion and service and consistently delivers a quality product that rivals new lights. Insurance companies and body shops alike find significant savings with All Star Auto Lights.
Since joining his father’s business by opening the company’s Florida location in 2009, the company has experienced strong year over year growth under Matt’s guidance. The company now boasts over 150 employees. All Star has been able to join forces with the community through employing job seekers through non-profit organizations like The Jobs Partnership of Florida working to transform the lives of the working poor and underemployed in our community.
Matt also serves as a deacon at Lifebridge Church in Windermere and serves on the advisory board for Nations of Coaches, an NCAA basketball focused non-profit. Matt resides in Windermere with his wife Amy and their two children Eden, 6 and Brooks 4.
Kyle Medeiros is a Business Solutions Manager at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. He is a 7-year veteran of the company and is based in Lexington, KY. Since 2015, he has held multiple roles within Entegral and Enterprise, including his start in the renowned Management Trainee Program, working alongside strategic OEM partners, and now in his current role, where he utilizes his experience and leadership to deliver solutions for the company’s industry wide partners.
He also represents Enterprise Rent-A-Car through his industry role as Chairman for the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) First Responder Emergency Extrication Program Committee. He has previously served on I-CAR’s National Volunteer Advisory Council, and as Chairman of the Nashville I-CAR Committee. During his tenure in those roles, Kyle was presented with I-CAR Founder’s Ring Award, the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s Fueling the Future Award, and led the Nashville I-CAR Committee to Platinum Awards in each year as Chairman.
Term: exp.
Company: Driven Brands
Email Sabrina
Career Highlights: CPA who has spent eight years with Driven Brands in a variety of roles — VP Finance, CARSTAR; CFO, Paint & Collision; VP, MSO Operations, Maaco; VP, Strategy & Analytics; SVP, Revenue Operations, Paint & Collision; COO, Fix Auto USA; COO, US Collision Group; Brand President, Collision North America
Industry Involvement: CPA, WIN member and MIW winner, Board member, AIA, ICAR, Collision Repair Council Canada, SEMA Executive Women’s Network
Goal of Serving on the Board: My goal of serving the board is to represent our +1000 store footprint at Driven Brands and pay it forward in our industry. Being part of a board with various backgrounds and experience to further build my network and share a platform with other industry leaders. I’ve always admired the efforts and intentions of NABC and was excited to participate in the NABC Recycled Rides of program at our conference later in September.
Factors for Consideration:
- Strong financial background
- Scope of leadership in the industry having done various roles in my time at Driven Brands – spanning almost all functions
- Having been mentored by other industry leaders such as Jose Costa, Michael Macaluso, Sam Mercanti, Dean Fisher.
- Strong network of alliances
- Philanthropic focus at Driven
- Looking for more industry exposure and an opportunity to set the example for my talent bench and future leaders in Collision
Gerry Poirier, a 50-year veteran of the auto physical damage and the collision repair industry, has recently partnered with Vector Squared and will provide his expertise in helping clients achieve maximum efficiency and overall performance improvement.
Gerry has more than 50 years of experience in the collision and auto physical damage (APD) industries and has held APD management positions with Hanover, AIG, and most recently, Farmers insurance companies. In those roles, he was tasked with multiple process improvement projects to improve the claim experience for consumers as well as provide guidance and technical expertise to the staff. He is an active member of the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), Intertek, and multiple school collision advisory boards in Georgia. He holds a current position on the two boards of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) and its Changing and Saving Lives Foundation, and was past fundraising chairman. He is a past board member of I-CAR and is currently the I-CAR Member Council Chairman. Gerry started his career in the collision repair industry and is I-CAR Platinum and has held numerous ASE Certifications. In the last 13 years, the charity golf event his I-CAR Committee holds for CREF has resulted in approximately $800,000 in funds to support local collision school programs and students.
Term: 11/2022
Company: United Recycler Group
Email Don
Don retired as a Property and Casualty Claim Consultant from State Farm Insurance Company’s corporate office in Blooming Illinois in 2012 after 34 years of service. During his tenure at State Farm Don held several management positions. His consulting roles included Property Damage Consultant, Catastrophe Consultant, Estimatics Consultant, Salvage Consultant.
He joined United Recyclers Group, LLC September of that same year and accepted the role of United Recyclers Group CEO in May of 2013. He relinquished his role as URG’s CEO in August of 2023 and is currently serving with the organization as an Internal Business and Industry Consultant. Don continues to oversee the URG Warranty Claim operation and serves as president of the URG Insurance Company and the URG Scholarship foundation.
He is a graduate of Texas Tech University in Lubbock Texas with a BA. Don holds the following designations: Chartered Property and Casualty Consultant, Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, Fellow, Life Management Institute, and Fellow, Financial Services Institute. He is currently involved in numerous recycling and salvage industry projects and actively serves on committees for the Collision Industry Conference and Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association.
His passion for the collision industry, the recycled parts industry and salvage industry makes him a valuable contributor to a number of industry committees.
Alan Scrimager is the senior lending officer with Pinnacle Financial Partners. Scrimager has more than 20 years of experience in banking and serves as Senior Lending Officer for Pinnacle Financial Partners’ Client Advisory Group in Memphis, TN. In his role, he leads a team that provides distinctive service and effective advice to commercial and private clients. Pinnacle is a full-service financial institution founded and headquartered Nashville, TN.
Prior to his work in financial services, Scrimager worked in the motorsports industry with Peterson Publishing and served as the Director of the National Muscle Car Association and Event Director for the Hot Rod Magazine Power Festivals.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Memphis and a Master’s in Business Administration from Union University. He is also a graduate of the Barret School of Banking at Christian Brothers University and Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. Scrimager and his wife Shannon reside in Collierville, TN.
Pinnacle has had a relationship with the NABC® since 2020 and became a Level One sponsor in 2021. Pinnacle and the NABC® collaborated on its first gifting that involved a NABC Recycled Ride® presented to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis. Scrimager played a lead role in the gifting. In addition to helping a very needy cause, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis event provided the NABC® with additional partnership opportunities with National Ronald McDonald House Charities organization and the McDonald’s Corporation
Term: 11/23
Company: Butler’s Collision
Email Roy
Roy Schnepper is the owner and President of Butler’s Collision in Roseville, MI. Roy along with his father in-law Donald Butler founded Butler’s Collision in 1979. Don retired in January of 1995 and Roy became sole owner. During that time Butler’s Collision has grown from a 4800 sq. ft. facility to a 10,000 sq. ft. facility. Butler’s Collision is an I-CAR Gold Certified Shop. Roy has guided Butler’s Collision through the certification program for Ford, FCA, Nissan, Hyundai, GM, and Honda. He is a graduate of the Automotive Management Institute and has achieved their highest level of Master degree. He has taken an active role in the Automotive Service Association. First at the state level where he served many years including Chairman of the Board. Roy also has served over 20 years at the national level where he has severed first on ASA’s Collision Operations Committee. Then he served on ASA Board of Director’s and is the current Immediate Past Chairman. Roy Schnepper also has served on the I-CAR Board of Directors and on the CIECA Board of Directors. Besides work Roy enjoys serving in his church where he is one of the Elder’s. Roy and his wife Roseanna have three children who are married and have blessed them with nine grandchildren.
Term: 11/22
Company: HONK
Email Paul
Paul is the VP Business Development at HONK – a disruptive roadside assistance and towing technology platform providing fulfillment and innovative solutions for insurance carriers, fleets, OEM’s amongst others. Originally from Perth in Western Australia, Paul moved to London, UK where he worked for the online auto salvage division of UK’s largest insurer, Aviva. During that time Paul spearheaded an initiative in partnership with Thatcham, UK’s motor research and safety body, to implement a certification for the management of recycled and remanufactured parts in vehicle accident repairs and was the first European member of the American Recycling Association.
As a founder of multiple automotive recycling technology businesses, Paul moved to the US to provide buyers and sellers with an efficient platform for trading salvage and end of life vehicles. It was at this time he discovered the inefficiencies of the towing and roadside assistance process, and in 2014 the desire to resolve these struggles drew him to the opportunity at HONK.
Paul has been at the forefront of technology adoption adjacent to the accident repair ecosystem in multiple facets, and in multiple global markets, for over 15 years. He hopes to bring this experience to NABC discussions that shape the future of our industry and provide a voice for the towing sector that is a key component of the accident repair process yet currently has a limited representation across NABC membership. In addition, HONK has been active in donating towing services to assist the NABC FREE program and would be interested to expand this role further for the NABC Recycled Rides initiative.
Now living in Los Angeles, CA. Paul enjoys traveling, honing his culinary skills (both creation and consumption), and is an avid squash player.
Past Presidents/Chairmen
Term: Immediate Past Chair
Company: Allstate
Email:
For more than 30 years, Clint Marlow has worked within the auto industry. This career path began in 1984 with an automobile dealer in Madison, CT, where he learned the ins and outs of the auto repair business. His next position was as an auto adjuster with the Allstate Insurance Company in the New England market. He continued in this role through 1996 when he relocated to a local office in Memphis, Tenn.After a succession of roles that included field leadership, process expert, quality assurance, and Senior Manager, a promotion to the company’s headquarters brought Clint and his family to the Chicago Illinois area.
Clint’s current focus at Allstate centers on forwarding looking research, key strategic projects, and Strategic Partnerships.
Term: Chairman 2018-2020
Company: Berkshire Hathaway Automotive
Darren Huggins, National Collision Center Director with Berkshire Hathaway Automotive, oversees 32 collision centers from California to Florida with sales exceeding $200 million. In his years leading the Berkshire Hathaway Automotive Group his team has delivered ten consecutive years of same store record sales growth, more than doubling the networks business from $ 90 Million in 2007. Based on Lean Manufacturing principles he developed and implemented the Van Tuyl Advanced Production System (VTAPS). He transformed the network to focus on Operational Excellence and accelerated profitable growth. Each year Darren facilitates two performance group meetings with his team, including managers and key stakeholders, to drive change, consistency, sustainability and challenge his team to reach world-class performance.
For over 35 years, Domenic worked in the automotive and industrial coatings industry and the last 30 years for PPG. He joined PPG as a refinish territory manager in Boston, Massachusetts and has held several sales and management positions of increasing responsibility; including OEM and dealer business development manager, regional sales manager, insurance and services market manager, CEI insurance services director, and Sr. Manager of Industry Relations and MVP Business Solutions. Domenic is retired from PPG.
Domenic’s talents have been utilized through his knowledge of the collision industry, high profile client relationships and strategic business solutions. His drive, performance, expertise and reputation as a consistent industry achiever led him to continual growth at PPG and within the collision industry associations. Domenic worked with various industry leaders to identify and seek solutions to business challenges that the automotive aftermarket industry faces. Domenic has served on the Board of Directors of the National Auto Body Council® (NABC™) for over 8 years, is the Immediate Past Chair, is a former Trustee and Treasurer of the Collision Repair Education Foundation and is a multi-year Gold Pin member of CIC.
Nick Notte began his insurance career with the Allstate Insurance Company on the east coast in 1981, amassing an extensive background in auto, casualty and property claims to include SIU. His career since includes leadership positions at Allstate, including management roles at Tech-Cor, a wholly owned subsidiary of Allstate, Mitchell International, and Nobilas Claim and Fleet Solutions. Notte served as President of Sterling Auto Body Centers, once the fourth largest collision multi-shop operator in the industry, until its sale in June of 2014. His responsibilities included all areas of operation for the 62 store, 16 state network of collision repair centers. Notte is currently partner, executive vice president and chief operating officer of International Paintless Dent Repair.
Stacy Bartnik is the Intertek Industry Relations Manager representing the Certified Aftermarket Parts Association, CAPA. In this role she is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with key industry stakeholders, working with internal colleagues and technical staff to meet customer needs, as well as identify potential new clients.
Prior to joining Intertek Stacy worked at ITW Evercoat. She was also the Executive Director for Team PRP, providing support to the Board of Directors and operated as the key marketing and membership executive. She coordinated efforts of the members to ensure a cohesive strategy and achieve growth in a competitive market.
Stacy Bartnik was previously CARSTAR’s Vice President of Operations providing leadership to the CARSTAR Franchise System field service team – – regional service managers, store integration, and store financial services. Her roles include developing and maintaining the field staff, tracking and reporting service results, and promoting the value proposition of the CARSTAR system, products and services through consulting and coaching. She also assists with other training and identifying further franchisee development opportunities.
Ms. Bartnik has worked in many segments of the collision industry, including Shop Estimator, General Manager, Insurance Adjuster, Trainer, and Consultant. She is a recognized industry figure, often appearing at NACE as a speaker and presenter. She has been a speaker at WIN, contributing editor to ABRN, and was honored in 2004 by Akzo Nobel as one of the Most Influential Woman in the Collision Industry. Ms Bartnik was inducting into the Collision Industry Hall of Eagles in 2010.
Ms. Bartnik is involved in several industry associations. Currently serving the Collision Repair Education Foundation board of directors, as well as a past Chair. She served as the Chair of the Collision Industry Conference in 2007 and 2008 and serves as a judge for Skills USA. Ms. Bartnik also served on the Collision Division Sub-committee of the Automotive Service Association.
George began his career in the auto body repair industry working as an auto body technician and painter in Southern California.
George joined State Farm Insurance working in various roles as an auto estimator, estimator trainer, auto claim representative handling property/ injury claims and management. George moved to the State Farm Home Office in Bloomington Illinois as an auto claims instructor. He was later promoted to management in the Learning and Development department where he was responsible for developing and delivering auto estimating curriculum for auto estimating personnel and management companywide.
George assumed an Auto Estimating Consultant role in the State Farm Property and Casualty Claims department. Responsibilities included providing guidance and direction to management in multiple states.
George served as the State Farm spokesperson to the auto repair industry beginning in 2005. George speaks at local, national, and international industry events providing insight on repair issues with industry associations and trade groups as well as the media. After 37 years George retired from State Farm Insurance in June of 2016.
Since retirement, George continues to speak at conferences and other speaking engagements on a variety of topics.
George is a Past President of the National Auto Body Council® (NABC™), has served on the Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) Board of Trustees, is a Past Chairman of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), and a recipient of the Hall of Eagles award for his efforts in the auto body repair industry.
George speaks at local, national, and international industry events providing insight on auto body repair issues and providing quality customer service.
Russell D. Thrall III, a second-generation collision repairer, has been involved in the collision repair industry his entire life. Starting as a clean-up person in body shops owned and managed by his father, Thrall has experienced the industry from the bottom up.
At the age of 14, Thrall began working part-time as a technician in a shop close to home. By the time he was 17, he was promoted to assistant manager.
Thrall joined the staff of Chilton’s Automotive Body Repair News (ABRN) in 1991 as technical editor. In 1992, he was promoted to senior editor, responsible for maintaining the content of ABRN editorial and representing at industry events nationwide.
From 1993 through 2000, Thrall served as editor of Collision Repair Industry INSIGHT, a subscription-based publication with English-language circulation throughout the world.
In 2000, Thrall founded CollisionWeek, a business newsletter for all segments of the global collision repair industry. CollisionWeek provides daily business news and trend research on the Internet and in weekly email, and print editions to subscribers around the world. Thrall continues to serve as Publisher and Editor in Chief of CollisionWeek.
Thrall has served as both a volunteer and on the staff of both the non-profit Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) and the Collision Repair Education Foundation. In 2007-2008, he served as Executive Director of the Foundation, managing its transition to a purely philanthropic organization providing scholarships and grants to students and schools. He continues an active role with the Foundation assisting the staff and board with strategic planning, marketing and public relations.
Thrall is a frequent speaker at industry events including, the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), NACE, the Insurance Services Office APD Panel and numerous other U.S. and international events. He served as chairman of the Collision Industry Conference from 2009-2010 and is a Past-President of the National Auto Body Council Board of Directors. In December 2002, Thrall was inducted into the Collision Repair Industry Hall of Eagles.
Since 2010, Guy Bargnes has been a dynamic member of the Painters Supply & Equipment Co (PSE) Leadership Team. Retiring as Senior Vice President of Sales in August 2019, Guy significantly contributed to the Painters Supply & Equipment Co growth to become one of the largest added value distributors of automotive and industrial coatings in the Eastern US with over 375 employees at 44 locations in 8 states. He currently is a member of the PSE Board of Directors.
Guy has been involved in the automotive aftermarket and refinish industry his entire working career beginning with the operation of a family distribution business in Buffalo, NY where he developed an entrepreneurial attitude in his approach to business. He then began a 20-year career with BASF Corporation, a Global 100 Company, retiring in 2009, after serving for nearly a decade as North American Director of Marketing and US Refinish Sales – positions which offered him a unique perspective on the refinish industry, the collision repair market and the auto claims economy.
Guy has been active in the industry throughout his career. He is the Immediate Past Chair of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) where he has been an active participant for over 30 years, is a current member of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and the Auto Care Association where he is past chair of the PBES Executive Committee and is a past Board Member of the Collision Industry Foundation (CIF). In 2005, Guy was inducted into the Collision Industry “Hall of Eagles”.
Charles S. “Chuck” Sulkala, founder of the National Auto Body Council®, is a widely recognized speaker and spokesperson for the collision repair industry. Having been involved with a 65-year-old family-owned business in Boston, MA. for the last 45 years, he is certainly no stranger to the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. His industry leadership positions including:
– President, Massachusetts Auto Body Association (MABA)
– Chairman, Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS)
– Chairman, Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and also chairing numerous committees
– Chairman, Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR)
– Chairman, I-CAR Canada
– Vice-Chairman, I-CAR Educational Foundation renamed the Collision Repair Education Foundation and current Trustee Emeritus
– Collision Division Steering Committee, Automotive Service Association (ASA)
– Board of Directors, Collision Industry Foundation
Sulkala has been honored as “Man of the Year” by the Massachusetts Auto Body Association and “Collision Executive of the Year” by Body Shop Business magazine, as well as received the “Industry Achievement Award” from the Society of Collision Repair Specialists. He was also named Trustee Emeritus by the I-CAR Educational Foundation; Honorary Life Member of NABC™; a Hall of Eagles recipient; recognized with the ASA 2001 Humanitarian Award, and Auto Body Repair News recognized him as one of the Collision Industry’s 25 Movers and Shakers of the 20th Century. His highest honor was as the first recipient of the Collision Industry Conference, Chairman’s Award recognizing a lifetime of service to the collision industry. In addition, he has also been recognized by ABRN for a Lifetime Achievement Award as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from SCRS.
2022-2023 National Auto Body Council® Committees
| Initiative | Co-Chair(s) | |
| Awards | Debbie Teter | |
| Board Orientation | Stacy Bartnik Intertek | |
Finance | Katie Pharr | |
Fundraising | Scott Sampley | |
| Governance | Stacy Bartnik Intertek | |
| Marketing | Matt Immerfall | |
| Membership | Kristle Bollans | |
| NABC® Drive Out Distraction Program | Paul Williams | |
| NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™) | Kyle Medeiros Enterprise Holdings | |
| NABC Recycled Rides® | Doug Schlueter I-CAR Kevin Creegan DeVilbiss | |
| NABC Recycled Rides® for Schools | Eric Showalter Washburn Tech |
