SCRS Remembers March Taylor, Honors Gary Wano with Inaugural Award

SCRS Remembers March Taylor, Honors Gary Wano with Inaugural Award

Gary Wano, executive vice president of G.W. and Son Auto Body in Oklahoma City, is the recipient of the inaugural March Taylor Kina’ole Award.

Gary Wano, executive vice president of G.W. and Son Auto Body in Oklahoma City, is the recipient of the inaugural March Taylor Kina’ole Award.

 

The Hawaiian word “kina’ole” means doing the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, in the right place, to the right person, for the right reason, with the right feeling – the first time.

The late March Taylor embodied the concept. During the Nov. 1 Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Breakfast in Las Vegas, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) honored another collision repairer who epitomizes the concept as well.

Gary Wano, executive vice president of G.W. and Son Auto Body in Oklahoma City, is the recipient of the inaugural March Taylor Kina’ole Award. Like Taylor, an influential shop owner who inspired the creation of the Database Enhancement Gateway, Wano “displays kina’ole in everything he does,” said Jeff Hendler, executive director of the March Taylor Memorial Fund.

“You will continually see [Wano] at CIC committees, I-CAR committees, OEM advisory committees, insurance industry advisory committees and database advisory committees,” Hendler said. “He’s constantly gone from his home and his own family to help us and his extended family.”

Wano also serves on the I-CAR board of directors and is a past chairman of SCRS.

When Taylor passed away, it left a void for many people in the collision repair industry, SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg said. Wano, who mirrors “so many of the good qualities” that Taylor displayed, has helped to fill that void, as much as that’s possible.

“It’s hard to distinguish preserving the legacy and the memory of a person who meant so much and made such an impact on so many of us, and recognizing the person who we see so many of those traits in,” Schulenburg added.

Jeff Hendler, executive director of the March Taylor Memorial Fund

Barry Dorn, owner of Dorn’s Body and Paint in Mechanicsville, Va., considered Taylor a mentor, and even named his third son after him. He said Wano “is very much like March.”

“On a personal level, on a professional level, [Wano] is an absolute brother to me, and has been for many years,” Dorn added. “Rarely does a day go by that he and I don’t speak.”

To announce the winner of the inaugural award, Hendler took the stage in a flowered shirt and shorts, sans shoes, in a nod to Taylor’s trademark Hawaiian style.

“He came to every function, every meeting, dressed like I’m dressed right now – no shoes,” Hendler noted. “It took us two years to get him to wear flip-flops.”

Aaron Schulenburg: “This award is certainly a good reminder: If there’s somebody who is meaningful to you, tell them and make sure they’re recognized for it.”

You May Also Like

NABC Donates Recycled Ride to Deserving Las Vegas Family

The NABC, GEICO and Caliber Collision recently donated a refurbished 2019 Toyota Camry to a Las Vegas resident and his adopted family.

The National Auto Body Council NABC), along with GEICO and Caliber Collision, recently donated a refurbished 2019 Toyota Camry to a Las Vegas resident and his adopted family during the pre-race festivities of the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The donation was made via the NABC's Recycled Rides program.

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

Dent Wizard Hires New Senior VP of Strategic Growth & Development

Adrian Gonzalez will be charged with driving growth through mergers and acquisitions.

CCC Report Analyzes Labor Pressures, Vehicle Complexity

Report shows advanced technology is contributing to costlier repairs, higher claims costs and longer cycle times.

Crash Champions Continues Steady Expansion Across Idaho

Crash Champions has announced the acquisition of Hoffman Auto Body in Boise, Idaho.

NABC Donates Recycled Ride to Tucson, Ariz. Family

The NABC, Allstate, Maaco and  Meineke Car Care recently donated a refurbished vehicle to a deserving Tucson, Ariz.-area mom.