“In my current position as an appraiser, I stop into the shop from time to time and I have seen Colin mentoring the younger techs. He is a great mentor. Colin was in the top three of all the students I ever had. He is humble but a great tech and I’m sure, a valued employee at Excellence.” - NOMINATED BY BILL SPEED, MENTOR AND TEACHER
In 1985, the biggest movies at the box office were Back to the Future and The Breakfast Club. Compact discs were a brandnew invention, and the average price of gas in Canada was about 50 cents a litre. A lot has changed since then—so much, in fact, that every single honouree in this year’s Collision Repair 30 Under 40 feature was born after those cultural touchstones had already made their mark.
They grew up in a world where the internet wasn’t a novelty but a necessity, where vehicles increasingly relied on computers as much as carburetors, and where collaboration and innovation were as important as experience and tradition. Today, these 30 individuals represent some of the best of a new generation of leaders in Canada’s collision repair industry.
Fixing a collision-damaged vehicle in the 1980s was a very different job than it is today. A shop could pull frames with chains, hammer out panels, and skim body filler without needing to consult a laptop or calibration tool. Electronics were minimal, airbags were still over a decade away from being mandatory, and structural steel was forgiving and things like ADAS were not even a thought on the horizon.
Now, repairing even a modest fender-bender often means working with advanced materials like aluminum and high-strength steel, recalibrating cameras and sensors, and following precise OEM repair procedures. Collision repair has evolved from an almost mechanical art to a highly technical science—demanding training, investment, and documentation at every stage.
This year’s 30 Under 40 honourees are thriving in that environment. They are the ones embracing change, building businesses that adapt to the demands of modern vehicles, and setting new standards for safety and quality.
Each person on this list was nominated by their colleagues, managers, and industry peers—people who see, every day, the dedication, creativity, and impact these professionals bring to their work. The nominations tell a story not just of technical skill, but of leadership, resilience, and a deep commitment to ensuring vehicles are repaired properly and safely.
From shop floors to boardrooms, from training classrooms to emerging technologies, these 30 under 40 are helping to shape the next era of collision repair. They are embracing the challenges of advanced driver assistance systems, pushing sustainability forward, mentoring the next wave of talent, and building businesses that reflect the values of their communities.
This feature is not just a recognition of what these professionals have achieved so far—it is also a reminder of the bright future ahead for the industry. Collision repair has always been about more than fixing cars. It’s about restoring safety, building trust, and moving people forward. And with this new generation stepping up, the industry’s future looks to be in capable hands.
MIKE BEIER
“It’s not really my job to know everything. But talk to your team and talk to your departments. Talk to customers, because their questions are usually sort of common, and you can tell what’s a theme across the industry.” - NOMINATED BY TOM LANGTON, CONSOLIDATED DEALERS CO-OPERATIVE
JENICA BENNETT
“I think there’s huge value in improving how systems connect and share information. I want to keep building tools and processes that help people spend less time chasing reports and more time making decisions that move things forward.”
- NOMINATED BY MIKE GILLILAND, MANAGER
COLIN BRAND
“Colin started in the company washing cars and now he’s the GM of the body shop. He is breaking every record ever done, and the morale in the company is refreshing.” - NOMINATED BY SWAV PIETRAS, COLLEAGUE
JEFF BROWN
“He successfully balances operational efficiency with community responsibility, demonstrating that modern collision repair leaders can excel in both business operations and community engagement.” - NOMINATED BY DON MORTON, MANAGER
PAUL CARROBOURG
“Paul has excellent people skills and is a team player. He has a holistic approach to business decisions and adapts quickly to a rapidly changing business environment.” - NOMINATED BY GINO GAUTHIER, COLLEAGUE
KENNETH CHAVEZ
“Being a second-generation operator, my inspiration is drawn from my father. Having seen how hard he has worked to achieve where we are today has inspired me to continue the legacy and see where I can help take the business in the next 30 years.” - NOMINATED BY COLLEAGUE / PART OF NETWORK
MIKE CHERNETA
“Mike prioritizes team growth by hosting training sessions, such as estimate training for their estimators across all locations, ensuring consistent high-quality work across [the] business.” - NOMINATED BY COLLEAGUE / PART OF NETWORK
GABRIEL CHIAPPETTA
“Over the past year, Gabriel has proven himself to be a true driver of change, consistently seeking efficiencies in systems and processes that enhance our operations and position us for long-term success.” - NOMINATED BY ADAM BERUBE, COLLEAGUE
GLENDON CO
“Glen was my apprentice for four years and went on to be a fantastic body technician and shop owner. After only 10 years as a body technician Glen went into a partnership with Fred Cutone at BMC Auto Collision Inc. and is doing very well. I am very proud of him.” - NOMINATED BY ROB GARGARO, MENTOR
MADDIE CUNNINGHAM
“Maddie shows how powerful it is to lead with authenticity and passion. She’s a reminder that talent thrives when it’s supported by drive, mentorship and a commitment to excellence.” - NOMINATED BY SCOTT KOUGHAN, COLLEAGUE
PRISCILLA DHAUSSY
“From best-in-class digital strategies, use of social media to attract young people and her commitment to inclusion, Priscilla’s leadership is a key contributor to the long-term sustainability of our industry.” - NOMINATED BY SEAN DONALDSON, MANAGER
NICHOLAS D’ALESSANDRO
“Nick is a well-spoken leader who is amazing at guiding groups through the shop and speaking on our repair equipment and processes. He is trusted by our team members and is a confidant for many, working closely with our HR team.” - NOMINATED BY JESSICA D’ALESSANDRO, COLLEAGUE
KATE GROGAN
“If I can keep helping make things easier to understand and more practical, for both shops and our team, that’s exactly the role I want to play.” - NOMINATED BY MIKE GILLILAND, MANAGER
CONNOR JAMESON
“I have been in the collision industry for 40 years now so I have seen a lot, but I have not seen someone like Connor. Our sales were pretty unchanged for about 10 years but since Connor joined our company, our sales have jumped 70 percent.” - NOMINATED BY WADE BARTOK, CSN ELITE BODY SHOP
ROB KEMBER
“He doesn’t speak from a place of ego but from a genuine desire to continue the legacy of care and excellence that has been built over generations.” - NOMINATED BY COLLEAGUE / PART OF NETWORK
JUSTIN KLAPRAT
“He prioritizes the development of his team members, offers constructive feedback and consistently delivers outstanding results. His dedication to achieving organizational goals and enhancing team performance makes him an invaluable asset.” - NOMINATED BY TRISTA KLYNE, MANAGER
KAPI KOMERA
“Kapi’s strength lies in his hands-on approach and deep understanding of daily operations. Starting in the detail bay and rising to co-owner, he’s built a future focused on quality and teamwork. His leadership drives consistent results and inspires those around him.” - NOMINATED BY COLLEAGUES / PART OF NETWORK
DAVEN LIN
His outside-of-the-box thinking is a testament to his innovation and calm demeanor. “He doesn’t panic when something unexpected happens. Instead, he says ‘Let me try something.' - NOMINATED BY JENNA BARTOK, COLLEAGUE/HR
MATTHEW MAURO
“Matt is a natural leader and has risen through the ranks of the industry to now have an AVP position at Fix. He is well-liked by customers and colleagues and brings a great perspective to any discussion regarding the industry.” - NOMINATED BY MIKE BEIER, COLLEAGUE
BRITTANI MCLEOD
“Young people coming into any potential career or trade want a clean, bright, friendly, modern work environment and I think we as a collective are starting to not only understand but prioritize it on a conscious level. Even if I can make a change for one person, I’ve made a difference.” - NOMINATED BY FORMER COLLEAGUE
MARK MILLSON
“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
MICHAEL MINOGUE
“Mike is committed to the continuous development of his team, regularly attending industry events like the Restore the Star meeting and facilitating ongoing training to maintain high standards and OEM certifications.” - NOMINATED BY COLLEAGUES / PART OF NETWORK
ARASH MOKHTARI
“Arash Mokhtari’s nomination is a testament to his passion, leadership and impact within our industry. At Simplicity Car Care, we’ve seen firsthand how Arash consistently elevates those around him, driving meaningful progress for our network and our partners. This recognition is well deserved.” - NOMINATED BY DOMENIC IERACI, FRANCHISOR
KYLE PAYNE
“Kyle’s tremendous leadership exemplifies that focus, commitment and execution are the keys to everyone’s success. Today, he has earned himself the role of managing partner, and is supporting his staff through mentorship on how to accelerate their careers.” - NOMINATED BY PAUL PROCHILO, CEO
ALLISON ROGERS
“Allison didn’t set out to work in collision repair—but she’s shown what happens when curiosity meets commitment. She’s earned this industry’s trust by listening first, learning fast and telling stories with honesty and heart.” - NOMINATED BY COLLISION REPAIR MAGAZINE
JEAN-LUC ROULEAU
“My father was a car painter, as were my grandfather and great-grandfather. I am the fourth generation, so car repair has always been a part of my life.” - NOMINATED BY COLLEAGUE / PART OF NETWORK
SHANNON TARDIFF
“Shannon’s commitment to self-improvement is commendable and a clear indicator as to why she has risen from being a technician to now leading an entire country of field staff.” - NOMINATED BY JAY HAYWARD, MANAGER
SEBASTIAN TORRES
“Seeing people grow from washing cars to management roles—that’s what I’m most proud of. We’ve built a strong inner circle that’s the foundation of all our success.” - NOMINATED BY COLLEAGUE / PART OF NETWORK
DANIEL TREVISANUTTO
“I wanted to create a workspace where the technicians we employed could feel proud of their career path and use their craft to its fullest. Seeing the quality of work, production and environment improve for the staff became my motivation.”
-NOMINATED BY COLLEAGUE / PART OF NETWORK
MCKENZIE WAINWRIGHT
“Her leadership is evident, as the technicians at the shop have consistently praised her management style, with zero technician turnover since the location’s opening. McKenzie’s ability to drive performance while maintaining a positive work environment has been key to the shop’s early success.” - NOMINATED BY ROB BURNS, MANAGER
AMIN YOUSSEF
“His positive outlook and energetic pursuit of excellence certainly draws a crowd, as evidenced by his growth of the network in Ontario.” - NOMINATED BY DARYLL O’KEEFE, MANAGER
