The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) announced its 2025 Executive Committee, appointing seven industry professionals to lead its efforts to advance education and workforce development in the collision repair sector.
Brenda Hogen of PartsTrader will serve as chair, joined by Vice-Chair Stacy Bartnik of Intertek, Treasurer Mark Verbois of Enterprise Holdings, Secretary Sandee Lindorfer of Allstate Insurance Company, and Trustees-at-Large Chris Dewes of PPG Industries and Kayla Williams Clark of Classic Collision. Steve Schmidt of State Farm, the previous chair, will remain involved as immediate past chair.
“As the chair of the Collision Repair Education Foundation, my primary goal this year is to advance our mission of supporting and enhancing collision repair education,” Hogen said in a statement. “We aim to provide unparalleled resources and opportunities for students and educators, foster industry partnerships, and drive innovation in our programs. Together, we will build a stronger, more skilled workforce and elevate the standards of excellence in the collision repair industry.”
“We will continue supporting schools and students to ensure the next generation of collision repair professionals are properly trained and prepared to the enter the workforce,” Bartnik agreed. “It’s also imperative that we closely monitor the industry’s changing needs to ensure we’re providing guidance to help instructors update their curriculum to meet employers’ needs.”
“I’m excited to contribute to advancing CREF’s mission of supporting collision repair education, schools, and students,” Verbois said. “Much like CREF, Enterprise Mobility is deeply committed to addressing the industry-wide collision technician shortage.”
Clark and Dewes are the newest additions to CREF’s Board of Trustees.
“I am honored to join the Collision Repair Education Foundation Executive Committee for this upcoming year,” Clark said. “I’m looking forward to working more closely with this team and our strategic partners to execute on expanding our support to the various collision repair education programs in efforts of broadening and strengthening the accessibility students have to our industry.”
Dewes offered his goals for this year: “If I can help broaden CREF’s visibility and create more awareness for CREF and the objectives the board is working to resolve, I will view that as a success. Once people hear about CREF and our mission, I’ve found that most people and organizations are more than willing to donate time, equipment or even dollars. We truly have a very special industry with many people who want to be involved. Sometimes, they just don’t know where to start.”
In addition to the Executive Committee, the Foundation Board of Trustees consists of:
• Mark Allen, Audi America
• Keith Bell, Axalta
• Kristle Bollans, CSN Collision USA
• Josh Cox, WESCO Group
• John Eck, General Motors
• Paul Folino, LKQ Corporation
• Andreas Hecht, CCC Intelligent Solutions
• Josh Krentz, Forbes Road Career and Technology Center
• Heather McMahon, Erie Insurance
• Frank Pickering, GEICO
Trustee Emeriti include J. Laurence “Larry” Costin of CCC Intelligent Solutions, Lirel G. Holt of U, Inc., and Chuck Sulkala.
Two members of CREF's Board of Trustees -- Mark Helvenston of Insurance Auto Auctions and Mike Croker of Industrial Shelving Solutions -- have concluded their service, and CREF is grateful to both for their dedication to collision school and students over their tenure.
Helvenston began his service on the Board of Trustees in 2018 and most recently held the role of vice chair.
“It was incredibly meaningful and inspiring to have the opportunity to witness the journey that various students were able to take due to the assistance of CREF funding their dreams," Helvenston said. "Watching them pursue various careers in collision repair and refinishing demonstrated the importance of the work CREF does every day and proved that it really makes a difference for these young professionals individually, in addition to helping improve the industry as a whole.”
CREF, which connects the industry with high school and college collision programs nationwide, relies on its leadership to secure financial and material support, promote student engagement, and align education with employer needs. The newly appointed Executive Committee brings experience from across the insurance, parts, coatings and repair sectors.
This leadership transition comes at a time when technician shortages continue to challenge the industry, and CREF’s partnerships with educators and employers remain critical to bridging the talent gap.
For more information on CREF and its programs, visit www.collisioneducationfoundation.org.
