FEATURED COVER STORY
CARSTAR Universal of Fort Oglethorpe: James White
A
by Jodi Varnado
s we enter into a busy holiday season packed
As a construction worker turned Auto Body Shop
with hurried shopping trips and family travel,
owner, White never imagined he would find himself
road and weather accidents can happen
where he is today. “It was a gift from God that put me
regretfully and unexpectedly. If you find yourself
in this spot,” said White. “My wife and I built many
and your vehicle in need of accident support, towing
houses, and we would move into them until they sold.
assistance, or damage repair, the welcoming team at
In 2008 when the economy crashed, it was all we could
CARSTAR Universal of Fort Oglethorpe is ready to help!
do to survive. For two years, we were only making ends
CARSTAR, North America’s premier network of
meet, and then one day, Ken called and asked if I would
independently owned collision repair facilities with more
be interested in working for him. After taking time to
than 500 locations, has found its roots throughout our
pray about it and discuss it with my wife, I decided to
neighborhoods. Georgia franchise owner, James White, is
join the venture. It was later, in 2014, that he decided to
proud to serve the Dalton, Fort Oglethorpe, and Ringgold
sell it to me.”
communities with four locations. CARSTAR has been a
The family business has flourished since 2015 when
part of the White family for over ten years. “My uncle,
White purchased Ken’s CARSTAR North and opened a
Ken White, opened Ken’s Bodyworks in 1997 and then
second location one short year later. Since then, White has
joined CARSTAR in 2010,” said White. “I started working
opened two additional locations in the Fort Oglethorpe
for him in July of 2010.”
and Ringgold areas. Today, White and his CARSTAR
22 // December 2021
