Bob Keith of Omaha, Neb., received the "Outstanding Alumnus" Award from Southeast Community College during recent commencement exercises on the Milford, Neb., campus.
Keith began his automotive career as a graduate of SCC-Milford. Along with his partner Greg Petersen, he opened Silver Hammer Auto Body Repair in Omaha in 1979. After 32 years, the partners now own five CARSTAR Auto Body franchises in Nebraska and Kansas.
Keith joined CARSTAR corporate staff in 1996. He currently holds a position as the senior director of the CARSTAR corporate training and education department.
Keith feels very passionate about continuous learning in the auto body industry. He had many mentors in his early years in the industry and encouraged each and every student to seek out mentors.
“As both a trainer and a business owner, I see the need for continuing education,” he said. “With technology changing at a rapid pace, you must continually upgrade yourself to advance and increase your earning potential.”
Keith is heavily involved in the industry on a national level, currently serving as I-CAR treasurer and on the I-CAR Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He also volunteers for the Automotive Management Institute’s (AMI) Board of Trustees as treasurer. He is also the treasurer of the C-CAR Board of Directors and works with the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) as co-chair of its education committee. Keith is a current member of the SkillsUSA technical committee in the auto body category, and also serves as a subject matter expert for the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
In addition to his associate degree from SCC, Keith is an Accredited Automotive Manager through the Automotive Management Institute. He is also ASE Master Collision Repair Tech certified and earned his Master Structural Damage Analysis Professional Certification from Chief Automotive. He holds an Advanced Safety Certificate from the National Safety Council as well.
Bob Keith and his wife established the auto body scholarship program for Nebraska high school seniors that is still offered by the Nebraska Auto Body Association (NABA).
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