CARSTAR names Community Champion Award recipients

CARSTAR franchise owners Raymond Rose and A.J. Pickering have been awarded the CARSTAR Community Champion award, according to a press release.

The Community Champions award is given to those who have supported charitable causes and local organizations in their communities.

Based in Wichita, Kansas, the pair opened their first two CARSTAR locations in 2022. Currently, they own and operate CARSTAR Collision Specialists East, CARSTAR Collision Specialists West, and CARSTAR Old Town. Rose and Pickering opened their third location this year and have doubled their sales and growth.

Since opening, Rose and Pickering have helped out with many different initiatives, such as painting curbs for a community improvement project, fundraising for a domestic violence shelter, and restoring an old trolley for charities to use for events. Pickering recently also served as chair for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Wichita Golf Classic.

In addition, the CARSTAR owners have been involved with those entering the collision repair industry by becoming involved with the Kansas Auto Body Association and local and regional SkillsUSA competitions.

“I do donate a lot to the local community and try to be involved as much as possible,” said Pickering. “Any way we can give back and help those in need in the Wichita area, we will do. Congratulations to my wife and my whole team on this award – everyone has earned it.”