HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — More than 300 industry professionals gathered in Cerritos, Calif., last month to complete the newest I-CAR training program, Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair (SPS07) and understand how the newest I-CAR programs provide the technical knowledge needed to identify and safely repair consumers’ vehicles using new types of steel.
Organized by the southern California I-CAR volunteers and program instructors, the sponsored awareness event was provided to owners and managers representing 34 independent collision repair facilities and 18 insurance companies, most of whom had little to no previous experience with I-CAR. I-CAR says that after this event requests for Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair (SPS07) and Steel Full-Frame Technologies and Repair (SPS08) I-CAR programs have increased significantly in southern California. “It was great to see so many insurance representatives there and collision repairers in the same room. These types of events can only improve upon the collision repair and insurer relationship. The class itself was taught well and allowed for those at all levels of expertise to come away with new knowledge of advanced high strength steels. The large showing of people is a testament to the reputation of Toby Chess; he is well respected and liked in southern California,” explains Lillian Marcos of Marcos Auto Body. "The Advanced Steels class was an excellent opportunity to get invaluable information as well as a terrific place to network with others from the collisionindustry. I was able to use the new information I learned immediately,” says Mike Rubin, material damage specialist for California Casualty Management Co. “The meeting was very informative and an extremely good investment for AES,” says Joe Carrier, Owner of Automotive Equipment Solutions. I-CAR thanks the following volunteers and program instructors that made this event possible: Toby Chess, Ken Boylan (lead instructor of the event), Eric Streton, Greg Gunter, Steve Morris, Mike Mastro, Frank Schiro, Steve Saunders, Doug Moore and Jeff Lawson. Ken Boylan and Toby Chess donated their I-CAR instructor pay from the I-CAR class to the March Taylor I-CAR Memorial Fund. “I want to thank Toby Chess for his organization and fundraising for this event. Also, the local volunteers and program instructors made this event possible through their hours and hours of dedication and assisting with the instruction of this class, “says Bob Mickey, I-CAR Western Zone manager. “The ingenuity and dedication of Toby Chess made this program possible. All of his hard work continues to benefit the industry. This training of the industry ultimately benefits the consumer. Thank you, Toby, for all that you do for I-CAR and the inter-industry,” adds John Edelen, I-CAR President and CEO. | 
