Bob Keith received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from Southeast Community College during recent commencement exercises on the Milford, Neb., campus.Like this article? Sign up to receive our weekly news blasts here.
Keith began his automotive career as a graduate of SCC-Milford. Along with his partner Greg Petersen, they opened Silver Hammer Auto Body Repair in Omaha in 1979. After 32 years, the partners now own five CARSTAR Auto Body franchises in Nebraska and Kansas.
Keith joined the CARSTAR corporate staff in 1996 and currently is the senior director of the CARSTAR corporate training and education department.
Keith said he feels passionate about continuous learning in the auto body industry. He had many mentors in his early years in the industry and encouraged each and every student to seek out mentors. “As both a trainer and a business owner, I see the need for continuing education,” said Keith. “With technology changing at a rapid pace you must continually upgrade yourself to advance and increase your earning potential.”
Keith also is currently I-CAR treasurer and serves on the I-CAR Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He volunteers for the Automotive Management Institute’s (AMI) Board of Trustees as treasurer. He recently joined the C-CAR Board of Directors as treasurer. Keith also works with the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) as co-chair of their education committee. He is a current member of the Skills USA technical committee in the auto body category. He also serves as a subject matter expert for the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
In addition to his associate degree from SCC, Keith is an Accredited Automotive Manager through the Automotive ManagementInstitute (AAM), ASE Master Collision Repair Tech certified, Master Structural Damage Analysis Professional Certification from Chief Automotive and holds an Advanced Safety Certificate from the National Safety Council.
Keith and his wife founded the auto body scholarship program for Nebraska high schoolseniors that still is offered by the Nebraska Auto Body Association (NABA). The couple has two daughters and four grandchildren.
