Jan.25, 2018—The National Auto Body Council (NABC) has selected Bill Garoutte to take helm at the organization, succeeding Chuck Sulkala, NABC’s founder and executive director who retired at the end of 2017.
Garoutte is a veteran business development, marketing and collision industry executive, and will now be responsible for developing and executing the NABC’s strategic plans and fiscal objectives, membership development, marketing and administration.
“We are thrilled to have Bill take the lead to continue the tremendous legacy and positive impact that Chuck Sulkala and many of our colleagues have made in our collision industry through the National Auto Body Council,” said Darren Huggins, NABC board chairman.
With 30 plus years of experience, Garoutte is the founder and president of BDGA, LLC, where he provided management and consulting expertise for clients in a variety of industries including the collision repair industry.
Garoutte was the vice president and senior marketing executive for CARSTAR Franchise Systems. He served on the board of directors of NABC from 2007 to 2012, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) from 2005 to 2009, and was a business and marketing consultant for CIECA for the past four years.
Garoutte’s leadership on the board of directors of national and local community service organizations include Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement of the Ozarks, St. Agnes Home and School, Lake Country (MO) Soccer, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Missouri, Catholic Business Network Organization and University of Alabama Parent Advisory Council.
“I have always had the highest respect for NABC, for what the organization has accomplished by shining a positive light on the collision industry. I look forward to continuing these efforts to help make NABC even more relevant to all our stakeholders,” said Garoutte.