Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) director steps down

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) has announced that Brandon Eckenrode has stepped down from his role as executive director.

Eckenrode became CREF’s director of development in 2012 and was named managing director in 2021. He stepped up to executive director in 2023.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we thank Brandon for his contributions to the Foundation and his dedication to advancing collision repair education and workforce development,” said Brenda Hogen, Chair of CREF’s Board of Trustees, in a press release. “We appreciate his service and wish him continued success in the future.”

CREF says its Board of Trustees and Executive Committee are “working closely with the Foundation’s staff to ensure a seamless leadership transition while maintaining the momentum of the programs and initiatives that support CREF’s mission.”

“Our strategic priorities have not changed, and the work of the Foundation continues uninterrupted,” Hogen said in the release. “Our dedication to serving students, supporting collision repair schools and educators, engaging industry partners, and helping develop the next generation of collision repair professionals remains as strong as ever.”

CREF continues to connect the collision repair industry with schools and students through scholarships, grants, workforce initiatives and strategic partnerships, according to the release.

“Its programs, fundraising efforts and events — including preparations for the Foundation’s 35th Anniversary celebration — will continue as planned. The Foundation will share additional information regarding the leadership transition as it becomes available,” the release states.

In December, Eckenrode shared with RDN that 2025 donations brought the total amount given to schools via Benchmark Awards to over $5 million, serving more than 50,000 collision students since the program’s inception in 2009. The 2025 awards were set to benefit 104 schools and over 5,300 students, as well as future students who will benefit from the advancements.

CREF had released a School Snapshot at the time, based on 2023-2024 survey data, which showed that the top two challenges facing collision repair education programs — high school and college — are low enrollment and lack of equipment, tools, and supplies. Third was a lack of general program funding.

Images

Featured image: Brandon Eckenrode (RDN file photo)