Pro Spot hired Roger Larsen as director of training and OEM relations.
Like this article? Sign up to receive our weekly news blasts here.“I’m very excited to have Roger joining our company," said Ron Olsson, president of Pro Spot International. "I have had the pleasure to have been associated with Roger for many years during his time with Toyota Motor Sales USA. Roger’s experience in the collision repair industry is tremendous and I’m certain that the experience he brings with him will be an asset to Pro Spot as we take on the ever-growing interest of our company and products.”
Larsen has been involved in the automotive industry for more than 38 years. After graduation in 1975 from Billings Vocational Technical School in Montana, he worked for two years as a dealership technician. He then purchased his own business, Roger’s Body & Alignment, which he operated for about seven years. He performed collision repair and refinish, including suspension alignment.
Larsen returned to school in 1987 and graduated cum laude from Northern Montana College (NMC) in Havre, Mont., with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education and a Certification in Vocational Education. His education degree consisted of a major in Trades and Industry (Automotive Emphasis), with a minor in Technology Education. Roger was hired at Northern Montana College as a part-time instructor and served as automotive mentor for the school during his final year.
He joined Toyota Motor Sales USA in 1992 and was the Body Service Supervisor in Technical Training for the University of Toyota. His main responsibilities were supervising the collision repair and refinish training group at Toyota. This included overseeing three training centers, five employees, as well directing all course development and training. Larsen also delivered collision repair and refinish related presentations and courses for both Toyota and Lexus associates, technicians, and for independent automotive organizations and groups. Other responsibilities include the development of collision repair bulletins, managing the company paint standards library, and responding to a variety of requests from the field. He obtained ASE-certified Master Collision Repair Technician, Master Refinish Technician, and ASEs’ Damage Analysis & Estimating Certifications.
Larsen obtained numerous I-CAR certifications including a welding certification. He is a former member of the American Society of Training and Development and served on many advisory boards including I-CAR and Mitchell International. He was honored in 2009 by the Society of Collision Repair Specialist with an award for his personal dedication to the industry.
He lives in Seal Beach, Calif.
For more information visit www.prospot.com.
