MARK MILLSON

It started with a high school shop rotation–just a ninth-grade student trying out auto body. For Mark Millson, that experience was a spark that lit a life-long fire.

“I have always enjoyed working with my hands, but it was my high school auto body teacher, Ron Postma, who opened my eyes to the vast potential within the auto body industry,” said Mark. “His deep passion and steadfast commitment to the trade resonated deeply with me, and I carry that spirit forward today.”

Now Director of Operations of Excellence Auto Collision, Mark oversees three luxury-focused Toronto locations under the AutoCanada banner. His journey to leadership began where most do—in the bay. A former technician himself, Mark is still certified in body repair for many of the OEMs serviced in his facilities, including Tesla, Lucid, Rivian, Porsche, BMW, JLR and more.

His nominations for Collision Repair magazine’s 30 Under 40 came from two colleagues at Excellence. Glenn Yatabe highlighted Mark’s technical roots, leadership approach and foresight in recognizing the importance of OEM certification. Brandi Brydges praised his “visionary” approach to team development and mentorship. “Mark leads by example,” said Brandi. “He sees potential in people and invests in helping them grow. It’s not just leadership—it’s legacy building.”

That legacy is taking shape in several ways. In 2024, Mark helped launch the AutoCanada Apprenticeship Program, providing more than 20 new apprentices with mentorship and MAC toolboxes to jumpstart their careers. He also created the Apprentice Tooling Program that is active in shops across Canada, to equip young tradespeople with the tools they need to succeed.

In March 2024, Mark spearheaded the opening of the Excellence Diagnostics & Coatings Centre which has been rebranded to ACX Auto Services, a 10,000-square-foot facility offering detailing, advanced coatings, calibrations and mechanical services. The centre doubles as a training ground for young apprentices.

“I find it incredibly rewarding to foster the growth of technicians and apprentices, much like Ron fostered opportunities for young people when I was starting out,” said Mark.

Mark has had his share of milestones–competing at the 2005 WorldSkills Competition, supporting Excellence’s continued growth and guiding apprentices like Ethan Almeida, a team member who will represent Canada at the 2026 WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai. Mark’s passion for mentorship, training and skill building is matched only by his optimism for what’s ahead. He sees the next decade of collision repair as a period of major innovation—one that will demand both technical adaptability and strong leadership.

“There will be significant innovations introduced in our industry over the next five to 10 years,” said Mark. “I believe we will see automation entering the collision sector, along with advancements in artificial intelligence for repair planning. As car manufacturers continue to enhance Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), we can expect a reduction in claims; however, the complexity of repairs will necessitate an increase in skill levels. I believe that the collision business will remain people driven for the foreseeable future.”

In an era increasingly defined by speed and technology, Mark continues to double down on people—investing in the future of the trade, one apprentice, one technician, one success story at a time.

“Mark leads by example. He sees potential in people and invests in helping them grow. It’s not just leadership— it’s legacy building.” - NOMINATED BY GLENN YATABE AND BRANDI BRYDGES, COLLEAGUES