Some of the collision repair industry’s leading organizations handed out their highest awards Wednesday during the Society of Collision Repair Specialists and BodyShop Business’ Collision Repair Red Carpet Awards Breakfast.

Winners included an I-CAR Platinum estimator dedicated to making his carrier Gold Class, an Idaho repairer who literally built his own shop, and a recycled parts e-commerce platform.

“The people in our industry is what makes our industry special,” said emcee Jordan Hendler (Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association).

Here are the winners from the 2017 event and assorted color from the presentations.

National Auto Body Council

Award of Distinction: Gene Crozat, G&C Auto Body, Sonoma County, Calif.

David Pajon, who handles marketing for G&C, accepted the award on behalf of his wife’s late uncle, calling him “quite an impressive man.” Crozat, who died in 2016, demonstrated a body of philanthropy which included helping keep siblings from being split up to different foster homes, housing the homeless and feeding parking meters for his community.

Pajon said Crozat had told him, “There’s grateful, and then there’s ‘show your gratitude'”

Body Image Award: Dave Neistroy, 3D Collision Center, Conshoshocken, Pa.

“It was a lot of fun,” Neistroy said of the renovation which earned him the award.

Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association

Company of the Year: Car-Part.com

CEO Jeff Schroeder observed that the discussion of CCC’s Secure Share on Tuesday during the Collision Industry Conference demonstrated just how important CIECA is to the industry.

Outstanding Dedication: Steve Betley, Insurance Auto Auctions

Outstanding Contribution: Janet DeBerardinis, Caliber Collision

Outstanding Leadership: Chad Sulkala, Allstate

I-CAR

Russ Verona Memorial Award: Jim Guthrie, Car Crafters, Albuquerque, N.M.

I-CAR CEO John Van Alstyne observed that a Russ Verona winner must maintain Gold Class status for five years straight and promote it, but Guthrie “far exceeds those criteria” with 26 years in the gold.

Jeff Silver Award: Richie Webb, Virginia Farm Bureau, Mechanicsville, Va.

Board of Directors Chairman’s Award: Gene Scambray, Copart

Van Alstyne said the Chairman’s Award is reserved for particular merit and isn’t given annually. He called Scambray “a mentor to many, including myself.”

BodyShop Business

Executive of the Year (single-shop): Rick Cope, Cope Collision Center, Meridian, Idaho

Executive of the Year (multi-shop): Steve Kendrick, Kendrick Paint & Body, Augusta, Ga.

SCRS

March Taylor Memorial Fund Kina’ole Award: Gary Wano, G.W. and Son Autobody, Oklahoma City, Okla.

“I think it’s hard to distinguish preserving the legacy and the memory of the 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,” SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg said. (Read more coverage of that specific award here.)

Featured images: Some of the collision repair industry’s leading organizations handed out their highest awards Wednesday during the Society of Collision Repair Specialists and BodyShop Business’ Collision Repair Red Carpet Awards Breakfast. (John Huetter/Repairer Driven News)