Sept. 12, 2019—Dave Mitchell, the former strategic advisor for Joe Hudson's Collision Center, and his son, DJ Mitchell, the regional director for the MSO, have announced plans to start their own body shop called MITCHCO Collision Repair.

DJ Mitchell announced in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday that, effective October 1, he will be leaving JHCC. 

Mitchell noted in the post:

"Effective October 1st I will be resigning from my position at Joe Hudson’s Collision Center. I have enjoyed my time with the company, and they have great things ahead of them. I am excited to see what the future holds for JHCC."

Dave Mitchell left the company in July.

The elder Mitchell says the plan is to close on the first body shop within a few weeks. Then, the Mitchells plan to get the shop operational within 60 days. DJ Mitchell will be opening some shops on his own and also opening some while partnering with his father.

The Mitchells plan to stay in Florida, but are open to other locations if opportunities arise. 

"Joe Hudson's is a great company," DJ Mitchell says. "I decided to leave because I'd like to be involved in a shop at a higher level and have the chance to work on the business, not just in the business."

The younger Mitchell is looking to be involved in the shop's vendor relations, construction, remodeling and equipment purchasing, among other duties. 

"I've learned what it's like working for someone else, not just my Dad, and how my decisions can be viewed from above or below me," DJ Mitchell says. "I learned at Joe Hudson's that it's important to consult with other people when making the larger company decisions."

Prior to their time with Joe Hudson's Collision Centers, the Mitchells owned Car Guys Collision Repair. Joe Hudson Collision Centers acquired Car Guys in July 2018. JHCC was founded in 1989. With the addition of Car Guys Collision Repair, JHCC owns and operates 102 locations throughout Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia and Texas.

Dave Mitchell will be staying on behind the scenes and helping out the operations for the new venture while DJ Mitchell has a more hands-on role. 

"I still think, and I said this even when we were at Car Guys, that there is room in the collision repair industry for [MSOs] like us," DJ Mitchell says. "Your shop will be successful as long as you have hard workers, honest and caring employees, a good process in place and some sort of in-house apprenticeship training program."