Your Source for Up-To-Date News and Research on the Collision Repair Industry 

 

click here to subscribe to the FREE INSIGHT Editor's Desk News Alert Email

SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY
Today's News
INSIGHT This Month
INSIGHT Archives
Survey Center
Letter to the Editor

Business Tools
Subscription Information
CSI Reporting
Financial Analysis
IRS Audit Guide

Management/
Technical Info
Market Watch Rates
INSIGHT Inside this month's issue...

Feedback
Letter to the Editor

Russell Thrall III Joins I-CAR Education Foundation as Manager of Technical Services

"We’re excited to have Russell joining the staff of the Foundation," said Ray. "Russell’s technical background and years of industry experience will prove invaluable as the Foundation expands its existing programs and launches new initiatives to promote collision repair industry careers and entry-level training opportunities."

"I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with the Education Foundation," Thrall said. "One of the single biggest challenges facing this industry is the shortage of qualified entry-level technicians. The Foundation plays an important role in finding solutions to alleviate the shortage- by developing programs that encourage young people to actively consider careers in this industry. I look forward to the rewarding challenges ahead of us."

Thrall, a second-generation collision repairer, has been involved in the collision repair industry his entire life. Starting as a clean-up person in body repair facilities owned and managed by his father, Thrall has experienced the industry from the bottom up. By the age of 14, Thrall began working part-time as a technician in a shop close to home, and by the time he was 17, he was promoted to assistant manager.

After more than 10 years in the shop environment, Thrall joined the staff of Chilton's Automotive Body Repair News (ABRN) in 1991 as technical editor. In 1992, he was promoted to senior editor, responsible for maintaining the content of ABRN editorial and representing the magazine at industry events nationwide. In 1993, he left ABRN to become the Editor at Collision Repair Industry INSIGHT. Thrall returned to the staff of ABRN as Editor in Chief in June 2000 and served in that position until July 2, 2004.

A frequent speaker at industry events including, the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), NACE, and numerous other local and regional events, Thrall’s industry involvement also includes serving as co-chairman of the Collision Industry Conference Information Technology committee, a position he has held for over ten years. He is also currently serving on the Board of Directors of the National Auto Body Council (NABC).

Past committee involvement includes the CIC Industry Action Network environmental committee, the I-CAR Education Foundation’s Industry Advisory Committee and the CIC Data Issues Task Force. Thrall was the recipient of the NABC President’s Award in 2000 and was inducted into the prestigious Collision Repair Industry Hall of Eagles in December 2002.

INSIGHT wishes happiness and great success for Russell in his new position!

©2004 Collision Repair Industry INSIGHT
All Rights Reserved

FEATURED
LINKS:

INSIGHT Supports the NABC!
Do You?