The Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR) has announced new leadership for the organization’s staff, based at its headquarters in Overland Park, Kan. Daren Fristoe has been named CCAR’s president and chief operating officer.

Before joining the organization in April 2008 as chief marketing officer, Fristoe’s background included collision repair franchising, e-commerce procurement, telecommunications, international manufacturing, staffing and property/casualty insurance.

“The opportunity to lead CCAR is a significant one, and I thank the board for their confidence in me,” Fristoe said. “With best-in-class products and services, we feel that CCAR is positioned as the industry standard for online education of safety, pollution prevention and hazardous materials handling. In addition to our existing suite of products and services, over the coming months, we will expand our outreach with more ‘E-Learning’ tools, focusing on general business practices. It is truly an exciting time at CCAR.”

Guy Bargnes, CCAR board chairman and national sales director for BASF Corporation Automotive Refinishes, also announced the appointment of Robert G. Stewart, who previously served as CCAR president, to the position of executive vice president. Stewart has been a member of the CCAR staff since 2000.

“The combination of Daren’s skills in relationship building and leadership with Bob’s extensive background in operational management and administration makes for a very strong senior team,” Bargnes said.