BodyShop Business presented Lee Amaradio, Jr. with its 2010 Collision Repair Shop Executive of the Year Award at the annual International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) in Las Vegas. Amaradio is president and founder of Faith Quality Auto Body in Murrieta, Calif.
The award has been given since 1984 to a true collision repair visionary who has experienced great success by being forward-thinking, overcoming challenges and persevering.
In 1979, Amaradio took a tremendous leap of faith by selling his home to open up his own body shop. He was 26 years old and had no prior experience running a business. He had everything on the line, so he prayed to God and promised him that if he would bless his business, he would in turn promise to always give him glory. Thirty years later, he finds himself at the helm of a very successful $7-million shop that prides itself on superior customer service and the highest quality work possible. He kept the faith, and in his own words, “God never let me down.” The words “faith” and “quality” in the name of his shop are an homage to his blessings.
Amaradio has also clearly demonstrated his passion for improving the industry outside of the walls of his own shop. As president of the Collision Repair Association of California, he has made regular trips to Sacramento to testify in front of the Senate Banking and Finance Committee on steering, paint material capping and labor rate surveys. He was also instrumental in the defeat of A.B. 1852, which addressed the certification of replacement crash parts in California.
Colleagues, friends and employees describe him as fiercely passionate for his business and the industry, having unshakeable integrity, and showing great compassion for people.
“Lee tirelessly works for the good of our industry, and we’re proud to have him as our Executive of the Year,” said BodyShop Business Publisher Scott Shriber.
“I’m humbled to be in the same company of great industry icons,” said Amaradio. “This reward is a credit to those hard-working people around me, and a special thanks goes to my general manager, Steve Saunders, who has come alongside of me to share my vision of a respected, well-trained collision industry. I also thank BodyShop Business for taking the time to honor us in this way. I know that God has chosen to bless us, and for that I’m compelled to give Him the glory.”
