The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) has announced Brandon Eckenrode as its newest executive director, according to a press release.
Eckenrode began his career in the collision repair industry in 2002 working in I-CAR’s marketing department. His career with CREF started in 2009, he was made associate director of development.
From 2012 through 2021 he served as director of development, through which he managed projects and events that helped CREF gain visibility. Since 2021 he has been working as the Foundation’s managing director, helping CREF’s Board of Trustees, staff, and partners to accomplish the organization’s goals.
Eckenrode said that he hopes to help CREF continue to educate the public on careers in the collision repair industry through means such as providing local high school and post-secondary collision programs with the tools and funds needed, helping students overcome financial barriers with scholarships and grants, and connecting students with employers.
“I plan to utilize my incredible network of industry contacts to get feedback and guidance while in this new leadership role, so we can continue to strengthen our longstanding reputation of supporting collision programs and ensure the industry is connected with these instructors and students nationwide,” Eckenrode stated, via the press release.
