I-CAR award winners honored for advancing training, professionalism in collision repair

I-CAR® has announced the winners of its annual I-CAR Awards, which recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to advancing the training and professionalism of the collision repair industry. The winners were revealed on July 24 at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel in Boston to start the 2013 I-CAR Technology Conference. The Russ Verona Memorial Award, which honors a business that has actively promoted training and a positive image for the industry, went to Oakland Auto Body of Oakland, CA, owned by Ron Vincenzi. Oakland Auto Body has held I-CAR’s Gold Class™ designation for more than eight years and has graciously served as an I-CAR training location for more than a decade. Vincenzi also serves on I-CAR’s Regional Repairers Advisory Council, and his industry dedication is further evidenced through his contributions as a member of the California Autobody Association, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, the AAA NCNU Insurance Advisory Board, and as the Co-Chair of the Collision Industry Conference’s Insurance Relations Committee. Oakland Auto Body is additionally a family operation that that has served its community with distinction for more than 50 years. The Jeff Silver Award, which honors an individual whose passion for training and professional growth bolsters the industry’s positive image, went to Mike Loy of Lewisburg, OH. Mike has been committed to enhancing his own skills as a longtime Platinum™ individual in the I-CAR Professional Development Program™ and as a former winner of the Snap On/ASE Master Collision Repair & Refinish Technician of the Year Award. As an I-CAR instructor, he has served as a member and Chair of ICAR’s National Instructor Board, has personally taught more than 80 different I-CAR classes, and has been the I-CAR lead instructor in Ohio for many years. He also works in a third-generation family business that he now owns, yet still managed to teach more than 1,000 I-CAR students in classes locally and across the nation last year. “I-CAR is proud to honor Ron Vincenzi of Oakland Auto Body and Mike Loy for their outstanding contributions to our industry,” said John Van Alstyne, I-CAR CEO & President. “Through their hard work, volunteerism and professionalism, they have been tireless advocates for the I-CAR vision: that every person in the collision repair industry has the information, knowledge and skills required to perform complete and safe repairs for the ultimate benefit of the consumer.” At the ceremony, I-CAR Chair William Brower also presented the Chairman’s Award to Tom Moreland, North American Strategic Sales Manager and Industry Relations Manager for Akzo Nobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas. The award recognizes an individual or organization whose contributions to I-CAR have been significant or extraordinary. I-CAR, founded in 1979, is an international not-for-profit training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of consumers. www.i-car.com