Kent, Wash.-Opened in November 2008 at the former Bret Chevrolet site, Kent Performance Auto Center has made its mark and drawn plentiful new business to the repair facility, said Doug Greenfield, co-owner with Accountant Dave Holzboog.

Wood Village, Ore.–Brasher’s Auto Body demonstrates the value it places on ongoing technical training by not only having earned the I-CAR Gold Class Professional designation, but also by opening its facility to host I-CAR training for the industry for several months each year.

Sumner, Wash.-High school automotive technology programs are the lifeline for post-secondary training programs at colleges and universities. The NATEF-certified automotive program at Sumner High School is a prime example of a viable Tech Prep venue that provides advanced training, said Bill Gaines, principal at the 1,270-student school.

Leavenworth, Wash.-The Automotive Service Association of Washington (ASA-WA) has presented its Industry Leader of the Year award to Dudley Bain, president of Benefit Consultants Northwest (BCNW) in Spokane.

Shoreline, Wash.-Parts & People recently attended Washington’s largest regional SkillsUSA automotive contest at Shoreline Community College (SCC), which was coordinated by lead judge Bob Biesiedzinski, the Honda PACT instructors the college, with assistance from all SCC program instructors and administration personnel. Private sector judges from the industry also assisted with the competition.

Evergreen Auto Service Equipment, a Vancouver-based company with facilities also in Auburn, held an open house and product display in Federal Way on Feb. 2 to celebrate its first anniversary in business. The firm markets a variety of automotive and heavy-duty shop equipment to repair shops, fleets, and commercial facilities in Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska.

Overland Park, Kan.--When the economy slows down, business owners and managers start looking for areas they can improve on, ways they can increase business, and personally push themselves forward, said Brian Hosenfeld, project manager for the SEMA Education Institute. 

In a 10-minute demonstration at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) last November, Toby Chess proved that one person can make change happen in the collision industry.