One thing you can say about collision repairers at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) meeting July 18 in San Antonio is that they don’t hold a personal grudge.
One day after repairers, association leaders and consultants criticized George Avery of State Farm and Rob Cooper of PartsTrader for the new pilot parts bidding program underway in four U.S. markets, it was announced that Avery was elected CIC Chairman in 2013.
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Less than 24 hours earlier members of the collision industry waited patiently in line to unload on Avery and the State Farm program during an open microphone session. Not one person spoke in favor of the program, but many of those same people gave him a standing ovation after his acceptance speech the next day.
“We are not choosing companies to lead. We are choosing people to lead,” said Jeff Hendler, CIC administrator. “And I think we have chosen a great one. Based on yesterday, it might not be an easy year for George. But at least we know where we can shoot at him.”
Avery acknowledged that July 17 was a rough day, but he looks forward to better times ahead.
“This is an awkward day,” Avery said as the crowd laughed. “I believe in CIC. I sat in the back of this room with a State Farm colleague 22 years ago and the first advice I got was to sit down and don’t say a word. I was in awe and wanted to be a part of that. I wanted the ability to be in a position like that in an industry I really care about.”
He’s come a long way since then.
“This means a lot to me. I know we don’t all agree. But you can’t shake hands over the phone. CIC is an opportunity for those who disagree to shake hands,” Avery said. “We have some spirited discourse. But I’m hoping everybody can come together, express their opinions and make the industry better.
His brief acceptance speech was followed by a long standing ovation from many of the same people who lambasted him and his State Farm program less than 24 hours earlier.
After the meeting, Hendler said CIC members who work for insurance companies were twice before elected chairman of CIC. Avery was elected chairman by a vote of former CIC chairmen, which is the group’s standard operating procedure.
“We tried to elect him several years ago but he was unable to accept the nomination then,” Hendler said. “As chairman, we look for him to handle any potential conflict of interest with model decorum.”
CIC Chairmen are elected to one-year terms, but serve two-year terms “barring unforeseen circumstances," Hendler said. Avery's term begins in January 2013 when he will take over from current chairman Mike Quinn of Caliber Collision Centers, who served a two-year term.
“Where he (Avery) works is not a concern,” Hendler said. “We want somebody who is committed to the industry and who has good organizational skills, people skills and planning skills.”
Larry Cernosek, owner of Deer Park Paint & Body in Deer Park, Texas, was one of Avery’s critics on July 17. But after the July 18 meeting he said he has no problem with Avery serving as CIC chairman for the next two years. He said he does not think any less of the organization simply because an insurance industry member will be its leader.
“It’s a big commitment to take on the chair of CIC,” Cernosek said. “It’s hard for a collision shop owner to be chairman of CIC because of the amount of time, staff and resources it takes. I’m OK with this appointment.”
