The National Auto Body Council (NABC) recently recognized four repair facilities and two industry professionals with the Body Shop Image Award and the Award of Distinction. The awards were presented at the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
The goal of both NABC awards is to recognize auto body shops and individuals who exemplify the professionalism and integrity of the collision industry. The Body Shop Image Award highlights facilities that have had a beneficial impact on their communities through building and design improvements. The Award of Distinction celebrates selfless acts by collision industry professionals who benefit others in their communities.
Two individuals were named co-winners of NABC’s Award of Distinction. Mike Startz with Albert Kemperle Inc. in Rhode Island was recognized for his selfless and heroic actions when he rescued a woman and her two small children from a burning car. Chet Bourdeau with Insurance Auto Auctions Inc. (IAA) in Manchester, N.H., was honored for his dedication and commitment as he mentored a 23-year-old young man with autism as part of IAA’s new young adult internship program.
Winner of this year’s Body Shop Image Award was 1st Avenue Auto Body in Great Falls, Mont. The facility’s remodel was an extended family affair, a joint effort by all employees working to create a larger, appealing and welcoming area for customers. Employees did the majority of the physical work, from installing flooring and plumbing to refinishing of furniture pieces. The decor was also a family project – an aluminum art piece above the fireplace was created by owners Evelyn and Ken LaMott’s grandchildren.
Runners-up for the Body Shop Image awards include Caliber Collision in Frisco, Texas; CARSTAR Fort Collins North in Fort Collins, Colo.; and CARSTAR Russom’s Collision-Dyersburg in Dyersburg, Tenn.
“Selecting winners was challenging this year because of the record number of nominations we received in both award categories,” said NABC Executive Director Chuck Sulkala. “At the same time, it is gratifying to hear about the many wonderful examples of how our auto body shops and collision industry professionals are making a positive difference in local communities across the country.”
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