Collision Repair

Student competitors awarded grants to attend SkillsUSA's National Leadership and Skills Conference

June 17, 2016

Ten state gold medalists will be attending the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville this month with support from contributions from the Troy Holm Memorial Fund.

ABRN Wire Reports

Ten state gold medalists will be attending the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville this month with support from contributions from the Troy Holm Memorial Fund. Created by

PartsTrader in memory of collision industry member Troy Holm, the fund assists students with travel grants and other forms of assistance needed to attend the national event. The donation ensures the “best of the best” from around the country are represented at the national contest. The Fund is facilitated by the Collision Repair Education Foundation.

The 10 student recipients and their schools include:

Alex Akers - Oxford Hills Technical School (Norway, ME)
Lyric Arms - Walla Walla Community College (Walla Walla, WA)
Zane Butler - Greenville Tech College (Greenville, SC)
Daniel Graber II - Lincoln College of Technology (Indianapolis, IN)
Emit Hoyt - Oxford Hills Technical School (Norway, ME)
Tyrell Kirk - Walla Walla Community College (Walla Walla, WA)
Eden Gabrielle Mays - Greenville Tech College (Greenville, SC)
Kenneth Ocasio - Central Montco Tech High School (Plymouth Meeting, PA)
Dariel Saldana - Automotive Training Center (Warminster, PA)
Shelby Woods - Southwestern Community College (Creston, IA)

“PartsTrader congratulates these deserving state winners and wishes them continued success as they compete at the national SkillsUSA competition. Troy Holm was passionate advocate for the collision industry and there is no better way to honor him,” said Dustin Whitehead, National Sales Manager for PartsTrader. “The team at PartsTrader is proud to assist these state champions as they continue their pursuit of excellence in the collision repair industry.”

Collision industry members are encouraged to contribute to the Troy Holm Memorial Fund to ensure that as many deserving collision and refinishing students can participate in next year’s national championships. A video is available online announcing the memorial fund and an additional video featuring some of the recipients from the 2015 grants. Collision industry members interested in supporting this fund are asked to contact Collision Repair Education Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at 847-463-5244.