SCRS names new board and officers

PROSSER, Wash. - The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has announced its 2009-2010 board of directors and officers. The new leadership team was sworn in prior to the annual SCRS Corporate Awards Dinner that took place on April 21st at the Marriott Hartford Downtown in Hartford, Conn.

Barry Dorn (Va.) was sworn in as SCRS chairman after two terms as SCRS vice chairman. Dorn's involvement in the industry includes participation in the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) database committee and the joint operating committee of the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG), a collaborative effort by SCRS, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP) and the Automotive Service Association (ASA). He will continue his duties as vice chairman for the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA).

The balance of the executive board all have served previously as SCRS officers. Dan Bailey (Kan.), previously national director, takes over as vice chairman. Incumbent Aaron Clark (Ind.) returns as Secretary. Craig Griffin (Ark.) has been elected to the office of treasurer. Rollie Benjamin (Minnesota), a previous national director, is the new director-at-large. Gary Wano (Ok.) assumes the role of immediate past chairman.

National directors include incumbents Tim Waldren (Nev.), Ron Reichen (Ore.), Dale Matsumoto (Hi.), and Toby Chess (Calif.). National directors that served last year and were elected to new terms are Joe Skurka (Mich.) and Stephen Regan (Mass.). Luis Alonso (Calif.) is a new addition, appointed by Chairman Dorn to fill the remainder of Gary Wano's term.
 
The new SCRS designated representative for the Missouri/Kansas (MO/KAN) chapter is Colette Bruce (Kan.), who takes over in this capacity for Bill Garoutte (Mo.). Garoutte and former Director-at-Large Stacy Bartnik (Ill.) have fulfilled the maximum number of term limits per SCRS bylaws.
 
SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg noted, "We'll all miss working with Bill and Stacy in their previous capacities, but I have no doubt they will continue to find ways to contribute to SCRS at a high level. We want to thank them sincerely for all their years of service. They did a great job."
 
Dorn, co-owner of Dorn's Body and Paint in Mechanicsville, Virginia, has been involved in SCRS since 2001. He hopes to see the board work more closely with SCRS affiliates and communicate more frequently on both local and national issues. "It is essential that we work closely with our membership to insure that their concerns are being heard and most importantly, that they are being addressed and hopefully resolved," he said.
 
Dorn also envisions the need for SCRS to stay involved with other industry associations, collaborating with them on important projects that effect overall change.
 
Dorn noted, "I want to thank all those that support me in this new and challenging position, and I want to thank the board for entrusting me at the helm of SCRS. We welcome every individual that kindles within their heart the desire to stand up for the best interests of the repairer. Successfully uniting in this effort will add additional meaning to the phrase, 'Working Together Is the Most Important Work We Do.'"