Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA) has been a longtime supporter of the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), and their support extends beyond monetary contributions – two of the Foundation’s former Board members hail from the halls of IAA: Mark Helvenston just ended his tenure as Vice Chair. He joined the Board in 2018, and prior to his appointment, Don Hermanek volunteered his time from 2013-2018.
Hermanek has always been passionate about investing in the future, and the strength of his convictions and dedication to doing the right thing for the collision repair industry inspired IAA to recognize his efforts earlier this year. “Don’s contributions within this industry make him an icon,” Helvenston says. “We wanted to recognize him for his achievements, and what better way to do that than to make a contribution in his honor to an organization that’s he has actively supported for many years? Because Don has always strongly believed in the importance of developing the potential of students entering the collision workforce, CREF was the perfect choice.”
The $10,000 recognition honoring Hermanek was made in addition to the Silver-level sponsor’s historic support of CREF, raising IAA’s 2025 donation to $85,000. Their generosity enhances the Foundation’s ability to advance future collision repairers by endowing CREF’s General Fund, which ensures collision schools are able to offer enhanced training programs, ensuring students graduate with the skills and confidence necessary to succeed in today’s workforce. CREF’s Benchmark Awards help provide schools with the state-of-the-art tools and updated equipment needed to educate the next generation of repairers and scholarships, while the Foundation’s Student Scholarships remove barriers for students pursuing collision careers. Workforce development initiatives further help students prepare for life after graduation. CREF’s student uniform program helps instructors create a professional atmosphere in the classroom, while the Foundation’s High School and College Transportation Student Career Fairs help connect students with the industry organizations seeking their skills.
All of these programs work cohesively to further CREF’s mission to “support collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities.” And that’s an important mission for IAA.
“We all know there’s a need for trained, skilled body shop technicians, painters and other tradespeople in the collision repair industry,” Helvenston notes. “And it’s not just important for body shop owners to get involved in addressing the shortage of skilled help – suppliers rely on those shop employees to buy and use their equipment, OEMs depend on well-trained technicians to properly repair their brand, and insurers want to be confident that body shops are manned with well-trained professionals who will restore customers’ vehicles. We’re all stakeholders in the path this industry takes.
“The impetus for ensuring a bright future for our industry begins with supporting the schools educating the next generation of repairers and encouraging those students as they begin their training for a collision career,” Helvenston continues. “We need to keep their drive alive by showing them what an amazing path their education can take them on within the greater auto body ecoverse. CREF is making that happen, and IAA is proud to support their efforts.”
Industry members interested in getting involved and supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist high school and college collision repair training programs can Contact Us to learn about the many ways to get involved. Monetary donations can be made online.
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The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation, visit us online at: www.CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org.
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If you would like more information about this topic or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email info@ed-foundation.org.