Scholarship fund to honor NABC founder Chuck Sulkala

“We know of no better way to thank and immortalize Chuck’s significant contributions and impact than to help ensure that a future generation of collision repair professionals will benefit from the many opportunities created during Chuck’s labor of love to transition the image of body shops into today’s respected collision repair industry,” said Darren Huggins, NABC Chairman. The Sulkala scholarship fund, which will be administered by the Collision Repair Industry Foundation (CREF), was announced at the National Auto Body Council’s Annual Member Reception in Palm Springs where industry colleagues, family and friends recounted the many ways Sulkala personally and professionally influenced their lives and the industry at large. Among his many accomplishments were: One of the first and most frequent instructors to deliver the 3M/ARMS workshop that is credited for changing the course of the industry by bringing management to the forefront. An early advocate of I-CAR, served and chaired numerous committees, including I-CAR Chairman, and recipient of the Chairman’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Collaborated with colleagues to establish the National Auto Body Council in 1995, serving as board president and the organization’s only executive director. Named to the top 25 “movers and shakers of the 20th century” by ABRN and Collision Executive of the Year by Bodyshop Magazine. Led a volunteer team of industry colleagues during CIC week to help build a house for Habitat for Humanity in Kansas City. Successfully spearheaded an ambitious $500,000 capital campaign to create the NABC Medical Center at Camp Mak-a-Dream in Missoula, Montana, followed up the next year by donating a bus for the organization. Received lifetime achievement and humanitarian awards from numerous organizations throughout the collision industry. “We are grateful for Chuck’s vision and leadership over the years which have contributed to the positive image of today’s collision industry,” said Darren Huggins, NABC Chairman. “On behalf of the National Auto Body Council Board of Directors, we are committed to building on the legacy and momentum that Chuck has created as we work towards our mission to provide community initiatives that exemplify the professionalism and integrity of collision professionals.”