I-CAR calls for Member Council applications to fill eight open seats

I-CAR is accepting applications to fill eight open seats on its Member Council, including three to represent the collision repair industry.

“This is a unique opportunity for I-CAR members to help shape the organization’s programs and services while representing their industry segment,” an I-CAR press release states.

“The Member Council serves as a voice of the customer, offering insights and feedback that inform I-CAR’s strategic direction and service offerings. Council members act as ambassadors for I-CAR, providing guidance to support continuous improvement and adoption of I-CAR programs across the industry.”

Member Council representatives serve two-year terms, not to exceed three terms, and are drawn from six industry segments, along with regional I-CAR Committee Chairs.

The council is currently seeking the following:

• • Collision Repair: Three open seats (one from a single shop, one from an MSO with fewer than 200 shops, and one from an MSO with more than 200 shops)
  • Education: Two open seats
  • Related Industry Services: One open seat
  • Insurance: One open seat
  • OEM: One open seat

According to I-CAR’s Member Council candidate information packet, the recommended size of the council is 29 representatives, with segment representation not exceeding a 2:1 ratio of the board. The current 29-member council is broken down into eight collision repair seats, six OEM seats, six insurance seats, three committee volunteer seats, and two seats each for related services, education, and equipment, tool, and supply.

One collision repair seat is reserved for a Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) representative and another for the Automotive Service Association (ASA).

Nov. 6 is the deadline to submit an application, which is available here.

Members are chosen by the Selection Committee, which the release says “values diversity and a strong commitment to I-CAR’s mission, vision, and goals.”

A list of current Member Council representatives is available here.

Candidate criteria

I-CAR says “ideal candidates:”

• • “Demonstrate strong commitment to I-CAR’s mission and have support from their employer;
  • “Have at least three years of I-CAR membership (individual or organizational);
  • “Bring five or more years of industry experience in their segment, ideally in a position of influence;
  • “Be willing and able to actively participate in Member Council meetings, including occasional travel; and
  • “Have a proven track record of involvement in I-CAR programs, events, projects, or committees.”

Employees of I-CAR are not eligible to serve on the Member Council.

Selected applicants will be notified by I-CAR in December, and the new council term begins Jan. 1.

In September, I-CAR elected four representatives to its Board of Directors.

• • Ryan Downs (Crash Champions) to represent the collision repair segment (at-large)
  • Paul Krauss (Caliber Collision) to represent the collision repair segment (large MSO)
  • Laura Lozano (Contra Costa College) to represent the education segment
  • Ed Mondragon (State Farm Insurance) to represent the insurance segment

The election concluded Aug. 3 and filled four open seats. Each member’s three-year term began Aug. 27. All are newcomers except Krauss.

Bylaws were also amended to add eligibility restrictions to the fourth collision repair segment seat and expand eligibility under the “related industry services” segment to include information systems providers, rental car companies, data service providers, operations or financial consulting firms, and third-party service providers.

At the July Collision Industry Conference (CIC) meeting, new I-CAR President and CEO Kyle Thompson fielded questions from nearly a dozen individuals who voiced concerns at the open mic about the amendments on behalf of collision repair businesses and associations.

Thompson defended the nonprofit’s actions, stating that there is “zero change in board practice.”

Thirty-five shops and associations, including SCRS, also wrote to I-CAR expressing their concerns about a greater opportunity given to corporate interests to govern the entity.

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