CARSTAR expands operations, technology teams

Feb. 13, 2014
CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts expanding its corporate team to serve its continually growing network of collision repair shops around North America.
CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts is expanding its corporate team to serve its continually growing network of collision repair shops around North America. This January, it named three new members to its operations team and one to its technology implementation team. Joyce Schuenke joined CARSTAR’s as a Field Support Specialist implementing the CARSTAR Solution technology platform.  She previously served in this capacity on a contract basis.  In her new role, she will provide field-level support to the CARSTAR network with an emphasis on CARSTAR’s Repair Center and will help shop owners implement and maximize the CARSTAR Solution. Schuenke has extensive experience in the collision industry that she brings to the CARSTAR network. She was employed with Mitchell International for the last seven years as an Implementation Specialist and is a resident expert on Repair Center and ABSe.  She worked for CIMS, a software development company that developed a collision repair management system that Mitchell purchased and later named ABSe. Prior to this work, Schuenke worked as a Marketing Specialist for two independent body shops and also worked as an Office Manager at Swanson Park Collision in Illinois. She started her career in the collision industry as a distributor and trainer for the 3M “ARM” program. Steve Hahn joined CARSTAR as the newest Area Director of Operations, bringing extensive experience in the collision repair industry, improving store operations and MSO management.  Hahn provides operational service and support to CARSTAR store owners in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.  He is responsible for executing the new regional business strategy, specific store improvement and delivery of the EDGE Performance programs in these regions. He was recently employed The Van Tuyl Group as an MSO Collision Center Director. His past experience includes Collision Center Director and Manager with Rush Truck Centers (Peterbilt), estimator with Superior Chevrolet-Toyota-Hummer, and General Manager for Kansas City Auto Body Repair. Hahn is I-CAR Gold certified and is familiar with DRP management, greenbelt/5S and all estimating systems. Michael Calens joined CARSTAR as the Area Director of Operations for California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.  He is implementing the EDGE Performance platform and helping improve store operations in this region.

Calens has 17 years of experience in the insurance and collision industry that will benefit him in his new role.  He joins CARSTAR after serving as a consultant with collision shops to improve their operational performance and insurance relationships. He began his career in 1996 with Bristol West/Coast National Insurance as an appraiser trainee. From there, he worked as a case manager with Cigna. In 2002, he joined Nationwide Insurance as a master claims rep and was promoted to claims manager in 2004 where he was responsible for 51 On Your Side repair facilities in five states. He was recognized for the CSI performance and NPS of 90%+ for the facilities he managed.  He keeps current by attending I-CAR training and he previously served as an I-CAR silver committee member.
 
Also joining the CARSTAR Operations team is Tya Smith, who serves in a newly created position as an Operations Coordinator.  She reports to Dean Fisher and is responsible for supporting the delivery, planning and reporting needs of the EDGE Performance program.  She also supports CARSTAR’s contract renewal efforts, support the legal department and oversees the Business Group administration.
 
Smith was recently employed Global Medical Direct in a dual-role as in Sales and Customer Service Manager. In this role, she managed a team of 28 employees in their call center and also developed training programs to support their sales growth plans. Prior work history includes contractor manager and account/sales manager at Ahlers Building Maintenance, client relations director at Fox Collision and owner/operator of Elite Glass (a glass repair and replacement company for collision stores).
 
“As our network of collision repair experts grows, so does our need to expand our team with well-trained, experienced collision industry professions,” said David Byers, CEO of CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts.  “We’re excited to welcome these four individuals to our CARSTAR family and look forward to having them help us continue to build North America’s leader in collision repair.”
 
About CARSTAR
CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts is North America’s largest Multi-Shop Operator Network of independently owned collision repair facilities with more than 440 locations in 31 states and 10 Canadian provinces. CARSTAR delivers national scale, consistently high-quality vehicle repairs, repeatable outcomes and the industry’s highest customer satisfaction ratings; all repairs are backed by a national warranty and service guarantee.  For more information visit www.carstar.com.

Subscribe to ABRN and receive articles like this every month…absolutely free. Click here

Sponsored Recommendations

ZEUS+: The Cutting-Edge Diagnostic Solution for Smart, Fast, and Efficient Auto Repairs

The new ZEUS+ simplifies your diagnostic process and guides you through the right repair, avoiding unnecessary steps along the way. It gives you the software coverage, processing...

Diagnostic Pre- and Post-scan Reports are Solid Gold for Profitability

The following article highlights the significance of pre-scans and post-scans, particularly with Snap-on scan tools, showcasing their efficiency in diagnosing issues and preventing...

Unlock Precision and Certainty: TRITON-D10 Webinar Training for Advanced Vehicle Diagnostics

The TRITON-D10 lets you dig deep into the systems of a vehicle and evaluate performance with comparative data, systematically eliminating the unnecessary to provide you with only...

APOLLO-D9: Trustworthy Diagnostics for Precision Repairs

The APOLLO-D9 provides the diagnostic information and resources you need to get the job done. No more hunting through forums or endlessly searching to find the right answers. ...

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Vehicle Service Pros, create an account today!