BodyShop Business Hands Out Awards at NACE | CARS

BodyShop Business Hands Out Executive of the Year Awards at NACE | CARS Opening General Session

The award, which has been handed out since 1984, recognizes true collision repair “visionaries” who have experienced great success through innovative thinking, overcoming challenges and persevering.

BodyShop Business Publisher Scott Shriber presents the Executives of the Year awards at the Opening General Session at NACE | CARS.
BodyShop Business Publisher Scott Shriber presents the Executives of the Year awards at the Opening General Session at NACE | CARS.

To nominate for the 2016 Executive of the Year contest, click HERE.

Scott Shriber, publisher of BodyShop Business, presented Val Fichera, president of Collision Care Auto Body Centers in Philadelphia, with the 2015 Multi-Shop Executive of the Year award, and Gerald Wicklund, owner/president of CARSTAR Wicklund’s Collision Center, with the 2015 Single-Shop Executive of the Year award during the Opening General Session at NACE | CARS.

The award, which has been handed out since 1984, recognizes true collision repair “visionaries” who have experienced great success through innovative thinking, overcoming challenges and persevering.

Val Fichera

At the tender age of 43, Fichera has already led Collision Care Auto Body Centers to being in the top 20 MSOs in the nation with more than $20 million in annual sales.

“I don’t know of any other executive, even outside his industry, who has accomplished and created as much as he has at 43, in the harshest of business environments,” says Collision Care Vice President of Sales Lou Berman. “Val has created, bought and sold other businesses as well and could have made a nice living doing other things besides working in the collision repair industry, but his heart was always here.”

While in grade school, when other kids were out playing after school, Fichera was working in his family’s shop, which was started by his grandparents, Mario and Sarah DeNardo, who came to America from Italy to pursue their dreams.

Fichera believes in giving back to his community, too, having donated refurbished vehicles to the Louie’s Voice charity for autism. He also had his head shaved for the St. Baldrick’s Cancer Foundation. Many times, he has hired people off the street who desperately needed a job to give them a second chance.

“Val is all about opportunity, realizing more than anyone that, had he not had his, that he likely would still be successful, but that his heart to this day wouldn’t be as appreciative for the chance he got,” says Berman.

(Left) Val Fichera, president of Collision Care Auto Body Centers in Philadelphia, with the 2015 Multi-Shop Executive of the Year award, and (right) Gerald Wicklund, owner/president of CARSTAR Wicklund’s Collision Center, with the 2015 Single-Shop Executive of the Year award.
Left to right: Dan Risley, ASA president and executive directory; Val Fichera, president of Collision Care Auto Body Centers in Philadelphia, with the 2015 Multi-Shop Executive of the Year award; Gerald Wicklund, owner/president of CARSTAR Wicklund’s Collision Center, with the 2015 Single-Shop Executive of the Year award; and Scott Shriber, BodyShop Business publisher.

Gerald Wicklund

Wicklund started in the family business when he was 12. By the time he was 18, he was working in the shop as a painter’s helper and doing small body repairs. In 1980, he became the head painter, then became an estimator in 1986. He took over as general manager in 2000, then formally became owner in 2012.

Wicklund has always kept his shop on the cutting edge, and will soon become the first shop in his area to earn an aluminum repair certification. His shop is also certified for Mopar, Ford, GM and Honda.

Some of the awards Wicklund has earned over the years include: 2013 CARSTAR Marketing Award; 1994 and 2013 Liberty SERTOMA (Service to Mankind) Award; and Best of the Northland for the past seven years.

Wicklund has also dedicated his career to giving back to the industry, serving as a SkillsUSA judge from 2008-2012, CARSTAR Advisory Board member, and other positions. He also hosts firefighter extrication classes and military appreciation events at his shop.

To nominate for the 2016 Executive of the Year contest, click HERE.

You May Also Like

Corby’s Collision Center: Since 1942

Bentley (Bud) and Evelyn Corby started Corby’s in a little gas station in Honeoye Falls, N.Y.

Corby’s Collision, Inc. has been repairing vehicles since 1942 when Bentley (Bud) and Evelyn Corby started their automotive venture in Honeoye Falls, N.Y., in a little gas station on North Main Street. In 1954, the business moved to its present location at 1212 Rochester St., where they continued repairing vehicles and selling Arctic Cat and Ski Doo snowmobiles. In 1985, Larry and Bonnie Corby purchased the family business, expanding in 1996 when they opened a second location in the Canandaigua area as Corby’s Precision Collision at Ontario Imports in the Ontario Mazda building. In 1999, the Canandaigua business was moved to its present location at 2460 State Route 332. Now, as the third generation, Leslie (Corby) and Kelly Craft continue to carry on the family tradition.

Auto Care Connect Conference Keynote Speakers Announced

The Auto Care Association announced its final lineup of keynote speakers for the 2024 Auto Care Connect event May 5-8 in Chicago, Ill., at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

Early-Bird Registration Opens for CIECA CONNEX Conference

CONNEX 2024: “The Intersection of Data & Mobility” will be held Sept. 24-25, 2024 at the MGM Grand Detroit hotel in Detroit, Mich.

Speakers Announced for 2024 HD Repair Forum

Speakers will hail from companies like Peterbilt, MHC Kenworth, Rivian and the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association.

Registration Now Open for 2024 UK Garage and Bodyshop Event

The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event is set to return for its second edition June 5-6 at the National Exhibit Center in Birmingham, England.

Other Posts

CIF Announces Enterprise as Repeat Annual Donor

Enterprise has donated for the fourth consecutive time at the Urgent Care (second highest) tier.

NABC Donates Recycled Ride to Central Georgia Mom

The NAB), GEICO and Five Star Collision Center-Wimbish recently donated a refurbished vehicle to a deserving mother of four.

NABC Donates Recycled Rides at NORTHEAST Show

The NABC, GEICO, Mountain View Auto and Collision Center of New Jersey donated two refurbished vehicles at the recent NORTHEAST Show.

Crash Champions Expands in Idaho

Crash Champions has announced the acquisition of Addison Collision Repair in Twin Falls, Idaho.