Honoring Legacy and Building Futures: Collision Repair Education Foundation Awards and Recognitions
The Collision Repair Education Foundation honored beloved Collision Repair Instructor Jeff Wilson with the inaugural Jeff Wilson Award for Selfless Education. Jim Cook, who teaches at Ogden High School in Ogden, Utah, was presented the award during the CREF Benchmark Awards Breakfast at the SEMA Show on Nov. 5.
CREF Executive Director Brandon Eckenrode and Leading Edge Collision Owner Adan Ibarra presented the emotional award in honor of a teacher and friend that touched hundreds of lives. Wilson, his wife Amber, and son Shiloh tragically passed away during floods in Texas in July.
“We lost one of our own. He was a dear industry friend,” Eckenrode said. “He always volunteered for anything CREF related, very active, and posted our Houston-area career events. He was a regular at the SEMA Show and was always volunteering to help us.”
Ibarra said they created the reward to honor Wilson’s legacy and memory with an award for an instructor who reflects Wilson’s spirit, passion for the trade, compassion for the students, and a deep commitment to building the next generation of technicians and leaders.
“Jeff really believed deeply in education. A career in education wasn’t just a job; it was a calling. And that’s something he embodied every day he was at the school and even when we would come to events like this,” Ibarra said.
Ibarra said every single instructor that was nominated for the award reminded them of Wilson in some way, but Cook embodied his dedication, integrity, mentorship, and heart of being an educator. Ibarra said Cook goes above and beyond every day to help his students learn skills and believe in their own potential.
“I believe everybody in this room deserves this award. We’re all here for the students,” Cook said. “I’m kind of teared up after hearing and reading about Jeff. This is a true honor to be here, and I thank everybody for your support. I really appreciate this. Thank you.”
During the event, CREF awarded $726,500 in grant funding to 104 schools, which will support 5,307 students. Awards ranged from $5,000 to $25,000 and helps schools get the supplies, tools, and equipment needed to provide students with the best education possible and prepare them for a successful career.
“Since the very start, our student shave gotten tuition grants, tool grants, scholarships, and donations,” said Professor Kenneth McMillan of Kennedy-King College. “Not to mention all the employment opportunities for many of the students here from Chicago, which is an urban area, and the many different types of resources and CREF offers a lot to them."
Students designed unique, creative bowling pins and attendees voted on which they liked best. Wendy Aguilar-Escamilla from Lorenzo Walker Technical College in Naples, Florida, turned her pin into an owl, hand-carving every feather and texture, and took home first place. Second place went to Kylie Preble, Lauryn Heinlien, Giovanni Glaspie, and Travis Weaver from Lake Career & Technical Center in Camdenton, Ohio; third place went to Jean-Martise Frank from Sheridan Technical College in Hollywood, Florida.
About the Author
Peter Spotts
Associate Editor
Peter Spotts is the associate editor of FenderBender and ABRN. He brings six years of experience working in the newspaper industry and four years editing in Tech. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Western New England University with a minor in integrated marketing communications and an MBA. A sci-fi/fantasy fan, his current 2010 Honda Civic is nicknamed Eskel, after the character from the Witcher book series, for the scratch marks on its hood.
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