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P.O. Box 734 Neptune, NJ 07753 EXECUTIVE DI­REC­TOR Charles Bryant 732-922-8909 / setlit4u@msn.com 2023-2025 OFFICERS PRESIDENT Ken Miller, 821 Collision, LLC (973) 949-3733 / kmiller@821collision.com COLLISION CHAIRMAN/ PAST PRESIDENT ATTENDING Jerry McNee, Ultimate Collision Repair, Inc. 732-494-1900 / ultimatecollision@att.net MECHANICAL CHAIRMAN Keith Krehel, Krehel Automotive Repair, Inc. 973-546-2828 / krehelauto@aol.com TREASURER Tom Elder, Compact Kars, Inc. 609-259-6373 / compactkars@aol.com SECRETARY Thomas Greco, Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. 973-667-6922 / thomas@grecopublishing.com BOARD Nick Barbera, Union Collision 908-964-1212 / nick@unioncollision.com Dennis Cataldo, Jr., D&M Auto Body 732-251-4313 / jr@dnmautobody.com Brad Crawford, Livingston Collision, Inc. 973-992-5274 / livingston.collision@gmail.com Todd Fontana, Proline Body & Chassis 201-398-1512 / todd@prolinebody.com Gary Gardella, Jr., County Line Auto Body 732-363-5904 / countylineautobody@gmail.com Dean Massimini, Autotech Collision Service, Inc. 856-232-1822 / autotechnj@comcast.net Jeff McDowell, Leslie’s Auto Body 732-738-1948 / chacki@aol.com Danielle Molina, 821 Collision (973) 949-3733 / dmolina@821collision.com Ted Rainer, Ocean Bay Auto Body 732-899-7900 / ted@oceanbayautobody.com Anthony Trama 973-818-9739 / anthonytrama@aol.com BOARD ALLIED Joe Amato, The Amato Agency 732-530-6740 / joesr@amatoagency.com Mike Kaufmann, Mike Kaufmann Dealer Group 973-332-7014 / mkaufmann@adps.com

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Thomas Greco / thomas@grecopublishing.com VICE PRESIDENT/SALES DIRECTOR Alicia Figurelli / alicia@grecopublishing.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Alana Quartuccio / alana@grecopublishing.com SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Chasidy Rae Sisk / chasidy@grecopublishing.com OFFICE MANAGER Donna Greco / donna@grecopublishing.com PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Joe Greco / joe@grecopublishing.com

VOLUME 56 NUMBER 1 | January 2026

CONTENTS

8

OUT OF BODY (AND MECHANICAL) EXPERIENCES

10 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

14 AASP/NJ MEMBER BENEFITS 38 NJA ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

LOCAL NEWS

18 AASP/NJ Supports Right to Appraisal Companion Bill 22 2025 ABD Holiday Party Highlights!

NATIONAL NEWS

24 Funds for Collision Schools and Students!

CREF’s 2026 School Benchmark Awards and Student Scholarship Applications Now Open

LOCAL NEWS

LOCAL FEATURE

26 DOBI’s Game of Telephone: Insurers Whisper, Regulators Repeat

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

AASP/NJ FEATURE

28 A Leader’s Leader: Jeff McDowell Retires After Five Decades

AASP/NJ FEATURE

by Alana Quartuccio

COVER STORY

32 Take Command of Your Future at NORTHEAST®

by Alana Quartuccio

AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY 36 Wharton Insurance Briefs

COVER STORY

by Mario DeFilippis

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Charles Bryant • Mario DeFilippis •

Keith Krehel • Ken Miller • Jerry McNee • Jacquelyn Bauman • Joel Gausten • Josh Bauchner • Kaitlyn Gavidia • Sofia Frishta EsHaq

Published by: Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. 244 Chestnut Street, Suite 202, Nutley, NJ 07110 Corporate: (973) 667-6922 / FAX: (973) 235-1963 @grecopublishing www.grecopublishing.com NEW JERSEY AUTOMOTIVE is published monthly and is sent to AASP/ NJ and ARANJ members free of charge. Subscriptions are $24 per year.

NEW JERSEY AUTOMOTIVE is published by Thomas Greco Publishing Inc., 244 Chestnut St., Nutley, NJ 07110. The editorial contents of NEW JERSEY AUTOMOTIVE are copyright © 2026 by Thomas Greco Publishing Inc. and may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher and/or editor. Articles in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Thomas Greco Publishing Inc. Stock Images courtesy of www.istockphoto.com.

Joe Amato, Sr. Ron Ananian Jim Bowers Charles Bryant Don Chard Guy Citro Pete Cook Ed Day Dave Demarest Phil Dolcemascolo Tom Elder Bob Everett Alicia Figurelli Thomas Greco

Dan Hawtin Rich Johnson Mike Kaufmann Wes Kearney Nick Kostakis Jim Kowalak Keith Krehel Joe Lubrano Michael Lovullo Jeff McDowell Jerry McNee Sam Mikhail Ron Mucklow

George Petrask Ted Rainer Russ Robson Jerry Russomano George Threlfall Anthony Trama Cynthia Tursi Lee Vetland Paul Vigilant Rich Weber Brian Vesley Glenn Villacari Stan Wilson

New Jersey Automotive | January 2026 | 7

OUT OF BODY (AND MECHANICAL) EXPERIENCES

The Godparents It doesn’t seem like much nowadays, but when I was growing up, Godparents (for reasons I never understood) were a big deal.

I mean, back then, if you were asked, you had to state your Godparents’ names just as quickly as you would your phone number or address. Was that just an Italian thing?

After all, there’s a pretty popular movie named The Godfather, and we all know who that’s about.

These days, when people ask me who I am Godfather to, I honestly have to think about it. I may be wrong, but I‘m pretty sure I’m Godfather to two nieces and one nephew. I think that’s it? That’s how much things have changed…in my family, at least.

Anyway, I think the Godparents were pretty easy to pick, in small families. They were usually siblings, cousins, aunts or uncles of the parents.

The parents would then give them the “honor” of watching their precious infant almost get drowned by a stranger in a giant robe in a huge stained glass window-filled palace while handing over an envelope filled with cash every birthday for the next 10-12 years.

Big families were different, though.

There are only so many times you can go to the well. For example, my brother Ralph has six kids. By the time he got to his youngest, he asked my 23-year-old girlfriend at the time (who he knew for a little over a year) to be the Godmother (I think he liked her big eyes). We broke up shortly after the baptism. The kid hasn’t heard from her since 1983.

My Godparents were a pretty strange pick as well. Their names were Ronnie and Buzz. No relation to us. Not really friends. As far as I knew, they were just neighbors. I have no memory

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of where they came from. Being the last of five kidsmyself, I must have ended up with the leftovers.

Buzz was exactly what you think of when you hear his name. He literally had a salt and pepper buzz cut, was kind of rough looking and ALWAYS had a cigarette dangling from his lips.

I don’t remember him ever saying anything to me other than, “Tommy, heh heh,” in his deep, tobacco-ravaged voice. Ronnie was a character, though.

The only reason I was more aware of her was because she came to clean our house once a week. I would ask my mom if she was our maid, and my mom would slap me gently on the cheek and put her finger to her lips and shush me. Ronnie was a proud Irish lady and a big woman – not fat, but tall, with orange/red hair, a big mouth and a big personality.

For some reason, Ronnie always rubbed me the wrong way. She was a know-it-all and a gossiper. Even as a little kid, I didn’t like her cockiness and how she talked to my mom. But my mom, like my dad, loved everybody.

They would never let it bother them.

Not me, though. I was the spoiled “Mommy’s little Tommy.” No one would dare come into my castle and disrespect me! But Ronnie did.

She acted as if she was my second mother. Even at that age, I remember thinking, “Who the f@&k does this witch think she is?” GTFOH. It was like she took the meaning of the words “God” and “Mother” and applied it to her relationship with me. Even after all these years, can you tell I never liked Ronnie or Buzz?

Plus, they gave shitty birthday presents.

Unsurprisingly, Buzz died young from cancer, and Ronnie stopped cleaning our house. When I asked what happened to her, my mom would say she wasn’t feeling well or she was continued on pg. 12

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

When Silence Becomes Complicity in Collision Repair The word complicit is commonly defined as being involved in wrongdoing through cooperation or, just as often, through silence. It does not require intent, bad faith or direct action. It simply requires awareness of a problem and a decision to allow it to continue. That definition is increasingly relevant in today’s collision repair environment, where many of the most significant compromises to repair quality and vehicle safety occur not through overt misconduct but through quiet accommodation.

From a consumer’s perspective, the collision repair process appears straightforward. Their vehicle is damaged, a claim is filed, repairs are performed, and the car is returned. Most vehicle owners reasonably assume that means their vehicle was repaired properly, safely and in accordance with manufacturer requirements. What they do not see is the widening gap between what a proper repair requires and what an insurer agrees to reimburse. When that gap exists and the customer is not informed, silence begins to take on meaning.

Complicity in collision repair most often emerges when a repairer accepts an insurer-written estimate that omits required operations and proceeds without disclosure.

by KEN MILLER

Missing post-repair inspections, denied scanning or calibrations, incomplete refinishing steps or repair-versusreplace decisions that conflict with OEM procedures are no longer isolated issues. They are increasingly common.

Experienced repairers recognize these omissions immediately. They understand what the repair procedures require, and they know when those procedures are not being paid for. Yet, in many cases, the repair moves forward without the vehicle owner ever being told that insurer reimbursement – not repair standards – dictated the final scope of work.

Sometimes, the shop absorbs the cost to maintain insurer relationships. Other times, the operation is altered or omitted altogether. In both scenarios, the customer remains unaware that critical decisions were driven by payment limitations rather than repair necessity. The customer believes a complete and proper repair was performed because no one told them otherwise.

The industry does not often say it out loud, but the concept of an “insurance-quality repair” is widely continued on pg. 12

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OUT OF BODY (AND MECHANICAL) EXPERIENCES continued from pg. 8

visiting relatives in Ireland. I thought that was strange, but I shrugged it off. I certainly didn’t miss her waking me up early every Friday!

But then Ronnie started calling the house like 10 times a day asking for my mom. Turns out Ronnie was suffering from what must have been some form of dementia. My mom started dreading the calls. Ronnie would bend her ear talking nonsense for hours at a time. But my mom would never not answer. She didn’t have the heart to ignore her. After a while, it started to take a toll, and she would get upset every time the phone rang. I started to get angry. Forgive me, but I was a young teenager who had no clue of what empathy meant, and when I saw someone who I already disliked making my mom cry, well…

One day, the phone rang, and I answered. I heard some weird crazy voice saying something that sounded like,

“Where’s Rosie? Let me talk to Rosie!” I immediately knew it was Ronnie. I said, “There’s no one by that name here, you have the wrong number.” She started screaming something that sounded like, “I know she’s there! I know who you are…”

It was like a foreign language.

I hung up.

Magically, the phone calls stopped.

Ronnie had a stroke and died that day.

I never told my mom about that phone call. In fact, I don’t think I have ever told ANYONE about that phone call.

Does it bother me? No. It doesn’t bother me. I don’t feel guilty because I was protecting my mom. But obviously I haven’t forgotten about it. That must mean something.

Guess I just better be prepared to clean Ronnie and Buzz’s house once a week in the afterlife.

On that joyous note…Happy New Year!!!

NJA

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE continued from pg. 10

understood. It describes a repair shaped by what will be paid rather than what should be done. The problem is not that insurers take positions on reimbursement. The problem arises when repairers quietly adjust repair methodology to match those positions without informing the person who owns the vehicle. A customer cannot give informed consent to a compromised repair if they are never told a compromise exists. They cannot dispute a denial, seek appraisal or choose to pay out of pocket if the information never reaches them.

This issue becomes more pronounced in insurer-referred and DRP environments, where contractual agreements may include labor caps, excluded operations or procedural limitations. Entering into those agreements is not inherently improper. Failing to disclose their impact is. When customers are not told that a shop’s discretion is contractually constrained, they assume independent professional judgment is being exercised. In reality, key decisions may already be limited before the vehicle is even inspected. The outcome of the repair is affected, and the customer never

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These situations are often dismissed as misunderstandings or training deficiencies, but that explanation no longer holds. Modern collision repairers are trained, informed and fully aware of OEM repair requirements. When known omissions go undisclosed, the issue is not ignorance; it is avoidance. Avoiding those conversations may preserve workflow and insurer relationships, but it transfers risk to the vehicle owner and gradually erodes trust in the industry as a whole.

It is also important to remember where responsibility ultimately resides. Insurers do not repair vehicles. Shops do. When a safety-related operation is omitted or altered due to reimbursement limitations, the repairer is the party that returned the vehicle to the road. Regardless of who refused to pay, responsibility and liability does not disappear with a denial. Silence does not insulate the repairer from consequence. It makes them part of the decision.

A repairer does not become complicit by disagreeing with an insurer. They become complicit by proceeding as though that disagreement does not exist. Transparency is the dividing line. Documenting insurer denials, explaining their implications and giving the customer a choice preserves professional integrity. Proceeding quietly may preserve convenience, but it does so at the expense of the vehicle owner.

If the collision repair industry wants to be viewed as the final safeguard for vehicle safety, it cannot continue to quietly accommodate repair limitations that are never disclosed to the people who own those vehicles. Complicity does not require bad actors. It only requires silence. And silence, repeated often enough, becomes a business practice with real consequences.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are mine and are intended for industry discussion and educational purposes only.

NJA

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LOCAL NEWS

AASP/NJ Supports Right to Appraisal Companion Bill AASP/NJ remains committed to consumer protection by championing proposed state legislation that mandates the inclusion of the Appraisal Clause in all automobile insurance policies. This vital action aims to safeguard every policyholder’s Right to Appraisal.

This past November, Assembly Bill 6106 was filed by Rep. Dan Hutchinson (D-District 4) and Rep. Cody Miller (D-District 4), a companion bill to SB 4534 filed in the state Senate last spring by Sen. Paul Moriarty (D-District 4). The Assembly bill has been referred to the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee while the Senate bill is currently with the Commerce Committee.

“Securing legislative support in both the state Senate and the Assembly is extremely encouraging,” says AASP/ NJ Board member Dean Massimini. “Legislators clearly recognize that this is a fundamental right for consumers, who deserve a transparent voice in how their claim is settled. Their endorsement is powerful proof that grassroots advocacy efforts are effective.”

AASP/NJ President Ken Miller emphasizes the impact: “Every New Jersey driver must have the right to dispute an unfair claim. This legislation will successfully preserve

that right. AASP/NJ has been advocating for the Right to Appraisal, and it’s gratifying to see legislators listening and acting decisively to ensure policyholders can fight for a fair outcome.”

AASP/NJ is among a growing list of state auto body associations from Texas, Washington, Rhode Island and Oregon who have actively sought similar legislative action to protect this vital consumer right. The proposed legislation is meant to reverse the alarming trend of insurance carriers eliminating or limiting the Appraisal Clause from their policies, therefore removing policyholders’ right to dispute unfair insurance claim settlements following an accident.

As Senator Moriarty stated in an exclusive interview with New Jersey Automotive (see grecopublishing.com/ nja0925localfeature/) for its September 2025 issue, “The goal behind SB 4534 is to give consumers an equal footing with insurers. Insurers should be advocates for their policyholders, but it does not seem like that’s always the case. Consumers deserve to be protected and should have the right to contest the appraisal that their carrier gives them by hiring their own appraiser and hashing out the details.”

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New Jersey Automotive | January 2026 | 23

NATIONAL NEWS

Funds for Collision Schools and Students!

CREF’s 2026 School Benchmark Awards and Student Scholarship Applications Now Open

For years, collision repair shops have been lamenting the need for more talented help to address the ongoing workforce shortage, yet educating the next generation of collision professionals presents challenges. Many schools’ collision programs are underfunded, and post-secondary students seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge often struggle to afford tuition and tools.

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) helps overcome those hurdles through the annual distribution of its Benchmark Awards and Student Scholarships, thanks to support from many generous industry donors and sponsors.

In 2025, CREF broke its previous yearly records with $726,500 in Benchmark Awards distributed to 104 schools, benefitting over 5,300 students training in these programs this year alone. The Benchmark Awards recognize programs that excel at educating students but which require additional financial assistance due to constrained school budgets, providing funds to purchase the tools, equipment and supplies necessary to enhance their students’ learning experience and elevate the caliber of

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The 2025 Student Scholarships benefitted 163 students with over $275,000 awarded in financial assistance to ensure those students were able to continue their education, preparing them to pursue a successful career in body shops around the country.

Applications for CREF’s 2026 Student Scholarships open January 8 with a deadline of March 6. Apply online at bit.ly/CREFstudents.

Applications for CREF’s 2026 Benchmark Awards open on January 20; the deadline is June 30. Apply online at bit.ly/CREFschools.

To learn more about supporting CREF’s efforts to promote the industry to future generations, visit CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org.

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New Jersey Automotive | January 2026 | 25

LOCAL FEATURE

DOBI’s Game of Telephone: Insurers Whisper, Regulators Repeat Remember when we were all kids, and sitting around in a circle, we’d whisper a message to the next person over?

Bit by bit, that message would get pretty convoluted, and often, the last person in line would convey something that made no sense at all.

That often seems to be the case when dealing with the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance’s (DOBI). Yet, while it may feel like a game of “telephone” from a shop perspective, DOBI’s method of conveying insurance companies’ responses is more akin to “repeat after me,” mimicking exactly what the insurer says without any consideration to the logic behind it.

Late last year, we saw this game play out in DOBI’s rejection of data provided by a collision shop while rubberstamping Allstate’s insistence that they were paying a “fair and reasonable amount” (check it out at grecopublishing.com/nja1125coverstory), but that’s only one example of the organization’s tendency to engage in pretend play when it comes to supporting insurers.

A similar situation arose at DJ’s Restoration (Trenton) after a client’s 2025 Toyota sustained damage on July 14, 2025. During Allstate’s inspection the following week, the adjuster wrote an estimate of $2,161.61, and when the shop inquired about reimbursement for paint blends and calibrations on the blind spot radar, Allstate indicated they would need proof of completion of the blends and documentation of the calibrations to consider payment. A couple days later, DJ’s Restoration submitted a supplement for additional damage discovered. Allstate issued payments for their initial estimate (less the customer’s deductible) and an additional $1,500.45 for the supplement.

But then things went sideways. On August 12, the shop submitted photos and a $800.17 supplement for the refinishing materials for blending and buffing, and though Allstate remitted partial payment for the supplement, their estimate excluded finish sand and buff labor time as well as the additional time needed for blending on the rear body panel. Another inspection and additional correspondence followed, culminating in Allstate’s claim that “payment for paint materials was included in the supplement and based on the allowed refinish time” [emphasis added].

During a final inspection in September due to shop owner Danny Brandt’s persistence on the matter, Allstate determined that no additional payments were warranted as previous compensation had included “paint materials based on the allowed refinish times.”

This timeline was relayed by DOBI Supervisor of Investigations Robert Palentchar after Brandt filed a complaint for unsatisfactory reimbursement. “After considering all available information, Allstate processed your client’s claim in accordance with the policy and consistent with state insurance regulations, none of which mandates the use of specific repair cost calculators or provide a repair fee schedule,” Palentchar wrote on October 2.

In response, Brandt sought clarification regarding 26 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2026

DOBI’s statement regarding insufficient refinish materials, noting, “For this claim and all others, we use the Mitchell estimating refinish material calculator, which determines the material amount based on the paint code and refinish time.

This system cannot be altered and is designed to ensure a reasonable and sufficient cost for these materials.

“Allstate remains one of the few insurance companies not covering RMC, instead only paying for refinish time multiplied by an archaic hourly rate,” he pointed out, referencing DOBI’s 2007 Bulletin No. 07-20, which acknowledges “the methods utilized by several insurers to provide allowances for paint and material costs are in some instances out of date [...] the actual costs of paint and materials have increased over time and some insurers’ allowances to do not reflect the actual cost of the paint and/ or material.”

Bulletin 07-20 further indicates that some insurers’ traditional methods may be “inadequate or recessive, resulting in repair estimates that do not provide a sufficient allowance to restore the vehicle to its condition immediately prior to the loss. Insurers are expected to provide repair allowances that are sufficient to restore damaged vehicles to their pre-accident condition. The use of available paint and materials cost calculator manuals and programs to determine allowances is encouraged to assist insurers in achieving consistent compliance.”

Brandt’s email lamented that, due to situations like this one, “the customers’ best interests are being overlooked in favor of the insurance company by approving a claim where the customer had to pay the difference for something their insurance should cover.”

Surely, such a heartfelt concern, paired with the department’s own documentation, would affect DOBI’s stance? Although Palentchar expressed appreciation for Brandt’s position, he insisted, “There are no state insurance regulations mandating the use of a specific repair and/or paint cost calculator or any such calculators for that matter.

In addition, the Department Bulletin you provided (07-20) simply encouraged but did not mandate the use of these calculators. Therefore, Allstate is free to utilize its own cost calculator, system or market data, including from its network of repair facilities, for estimating repair and paint costs and reimbursement.”

Appalled by DOBI’s indifference to their own admission that the use of an “archaic hourly rate” works against policyholders’ best interests, Brandt reached out to New Jersey Automotive to spread awareness of this prevailing issue. “DOBI dismissed their own bulletin, stating that there are no state regulations mandating these calculators; it’s simply a recommendation, so they don’t have to abide by it apparently.

“The bigger problem lies in the fact that it seems like DOBI simply rubber-stamps whatever the insurance companies say without any proof or documentation,” Brandt observes. “They don’t have to show anything to justify their

BY CHASIDY RAE SISK statements, yet shops have to show everything we do, which isn’t a problem since we have nothing to hide. In this case, we provided documentation through RMC which calculates based on the estimate and paint hours, yet once again, they summarily dismiss our solid documentation. But even when we provide invoices to prove price changes, insurers still don’t want to pay the difference. Then it all falls on the vehicle owner to pay the difference, so the consumer pays the price for the insurers’ behavior.”

AASP/NJ Collision Chairman and Past President Jerry McNee weighs in on the matter. “It’s no secret that much of DOBI’s staff has either come from or is headed to positions within the insurance industry, and DOBI’s advisory board is made up entirely of insurance personnel. Publicly traded insurers like Allstate continue to post strong profits, and the data for 2024 and 2025 clearly shows that.

Meanwhile, New Jersey drivers already pay some of the highest rates in the country, while regulators turn a blind eye – hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil. That’s the reality.”

McNee recounts a recent meeting with another insurer’s manager regarding a $6,000 shortpay. “He was cold as ice – brushed off every fact and told me to take it up with DOBI and the legislature. He even cited DOBI’s support for removing the Right to Appraisal (RTA) from their policy and seemed to take great pride in that protection as justification. His exact words were, ‘The client will pay the difference,’ proving that insurers are completely comfortable with leaving customers to figure it out on their own.

When I asked about the experience level of their appraisers, he simply replied that they’re ‘trained to write estimates.’ But when I asked what about repairing vehicles correctly, he sat there stone-faced – no answer.

“So, is DOBI truly concerned about New Jersey consumers or the real harm this approach causes?” McNee asks. Well, the answer seems obvious, despite their perfunctory responses which are apparently a mere part of the game.

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New Jersey Automotive | January 2026 | 27

AASP/NJ FEATURE

A Leader’s Leader: Jeff McDowell Retires After Five Decades If you’ve had your hands in some form of collision repair over the past five decades, chances are you have encountered the one and only Jeff McDowell somewhere along the way. From laying the bricks to establish (and lead) AASP/NJ and nurturing the growth of the NORTHEAST® Automotive Services Show to running a successful collision repair shop in Leslie’s Auto Body (Fords) – not to mention simply being a dedicated leader and friend – there isn’t much McDowell hasn’t had a role in. Now, after five decades in the auto body industry in the Garden State, McDowell has decided to close up shop. He may have left his business behind, but McDowell isn’t showing any signs of actually stepping away entirely from the industry he has devoted his life to. The former AASP/NJ president graciously sat down with New Jersey Automotive to reflect on the past and share what is to come next.

New Jersey Automotive: How is retired life treating you so far?

Jeff McDowell: It’s only been a few weeks so far. I’m staying busy. It’s not all that it’s cracked up to be, though, when you’ve been working all your life.

NJA: When did your love for or interest in cars first begin?

JM: I first started working in a body shop in 1967…

NJA: What led you there?

JM: I was poor, and I needed money (laughs).

NJA: Tell us what your introduction into the body shop world was like.

JM: I started at 11 years old, working as a helper, cleaning up and putting tools away. From there, I stepped up to learn how to mix paints, and I helped with odd jobs around the shop. We did a lot of work with tractor trailers back then. It was my job to paint the wheels. I stuck with it as I needed money. Eventually, I learned the craft of collision repair. By the time I was 16 years old, I was a full-fledged painter doing complete paint jobs, and we did a lot of paint jobs back in the ’60s. The guy I was working for became hospitalized and closed up his shop, so I went to work for another shop, and they taught me how to do bodywork and frame. In the old days, we used to call the guy who could do everything a combination man. Nowadays, everyone has a specialty, like body man, painter or metal man. Back then, the top guy did everything. That’s the way I came up, and that is the way I learned.

NJA: When did you decide to open your own shop? How did that play out?

JM: When I was 18, I went off to the Navy and served for three years. When I got discharged, I went right back to the body shop. I was discharged on a Friday, and I was back in the body shop that following Monday morning. I didn’t take any time off. I continued to work in the body shop a couple more years and then left to work for a dealership body shop.

I was born and raised in Staten Island, but at that point, I had moved to New Jersey. I was working for a dealership in Manasquan, and that’s when I met my wife. Once we were married, we lived in Edison. I had a fairly long and monotonous drive going to Manasquan every day that was making me fall asleep in the car. So, I decided to look for work in the Woodbridge area to be closer to home, and I got hired by Leslie’s Auto Body. At the time, I didn’t have any interest in opening a shop. The opportunity presented itself a couple years later when my boss made the decision to sell the shop and move to Colorado to open a motel. So, I bought the shop with a partner at the time, and 42 years later, the rest is history.

NJA: You’ve obviously been very active with AASP/ NJ all these years. What first got you involved with the association, and what was the first association you started with?

Jeff McDowell with Jack Harding 28 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2026

JM: It was 1983 when I first joined the auto body

BY ALANA QUARTUCCIO association. At that time, it was the Central Jersey Auto Body Association. I was always interested in learning and went to classes. But 1983 was the year that the state of New Jersey decided to get the infinite wisdom that they’d like to get several hundred dollars out of us every two years for a license, so every body shop had to get a license. Of course, that pissed me off. I joined other people who were also annoyed that there was now an auto body license we had to pay for, and that is when I started going to the auto body association for more information. In the beginning, we tried to fight the license, but there was no fighting it.

When it started, there were no real requirements for getting a body shop license. So we went back to the state after several years to point out the fact that, by licensing us, it’s a guarantee to the consumer that we have credentials and ability to do this type of work so there should be some regulations that go with the license for a person to get a license for their shop. Over the next couple years, we sat down with the state and actually wrote the regulations for what is needed to become a licensed body shop – you have to have continued education, a minimum amount of equipment and equipment specifications. We put all that into the regulations. Once we did, there were unlicensed shops that the fraud department had to go after to close down or enforce that they get a license. That was the beginning of it with the Central Auto Body Association. Of course, there were actually four associations at that time.

NJA: How many positions did you hold over the years?

JM: There is not a position in the associations that I have not held. I served as fundraising chairman. Many of the events AASP/NJ conducts now are things I created, like the annual golf outing. We used to hold an annual dinner dance and a night at the races. I also was the time study chairman. Before we had what is now the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG), we had books from MOTOR or Mitchell, and I would do a time study on a particular operation and get them to change the manual if the times were wrong. I served as a board member on all the associations I’ve been involved with since 1983.

NJA: Eventually, the four associations came together as one which eventually became AASP/NJ. How were you involved in that?

Jeff McDowell with Jeanette and Stan Wilson JM: Four associations at the time – the Central Jersey Auto Body Association (CJABA), the South Jersey Auto Body Association (SJABA), the Automotive Service Association of New Jersey (ASA/NJ) and Greater Northwest Auto Body Association (GNABA) – would meet to discuss the idea of becoming one big group to have more power by being all under one roof. This is the short version of the story, by the way, as I can probably write a book about this. We tried to come to terms with all of our resources and expertise in different areas. Everyone had something to bring to the table. ASA/NJ had the NORTHEAST show, CJABA had good political contacts, and GNABA had a fair amount of collision and mechanical shops in their membership. ASA/ NJ decided not to merge with the other groups and stayed separate. Eventually, the other three groups came together under the same banner. A year or two after becoming the Garden State Automotive Federation, we found out there was another group that had registered the same name, so we had to change the name. At this point, many states began to move away from ASA, and the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP) was founded. At that time, we had completed the merger with ASA/NJ and needed a new name, so we became an affiliate chapter of AASP, and that is how we became AASP/NJ. NJA: What are some of your favorite memories of all the years you’ve spent with the association?

JM: The camaraderie between the shops was a lot different back then than it is now. In your local area, you probably knew all the shops around you, and everybody was friends.

Now, everyone has their head down, going full speed ahead and trying to make some money. We had more inperson events back then. The fondest memories I have are of all the other guys I was friends with who are no longer here. There was always someone you could reach out to and call to say, ‘Hey, I’ve got this problem. Can you help me out?’ We tried really hard to get things accomplished for the industry. Some we did, some we didn’t.

NJA: How long did you serve as president of AASP/NJ?

Tom Elder and Jeff McDowell at first airbag demo

continued on pg. 30

New Jersey Automotive | January 2026 | 29

AASP/NJ FEATURE continued from pg. 29

JM: Eight years, and I was treasurer for 16 years before that.

NJA: You’ve been such a huge part of the growth of AASP/NJ’s NORTHEAST® Automotive Services Show.

During those early days, did you think it’d become as big as it is now?

JM: Nobody did. I always went to the show, even though I was part of a different association when ASA/NJ ran it.

I knew a lot of the guys who ran the show then, as they always came to our dinner dance events. Over the years, I probably only missed going to the show one or two times. Some of my favorite things about NORTHEAST is the opportunity to see all the guys. The Leadership Meeting is an opportunity to interact with guys from other state associations like Rhode Island and Pennsylvania.

Ron Reichen comes from the West Coast. Those are the moments from the show that I always feel most strong about. I’m happy to be involved with it all.

NJA: You’ve been involved with AASP/NJ for decades.

What are your thoughts on the association after all these years?

JM: It’s harder to get shop owners moving in the same direction today as it was in the past. That’s a real challenge.

And membership might be down, but that’s the way it is for all organizations like the VFW or the Elks. It’s become harder to get people to participate. Their lives are so busy, and they have so much on their plate. I know we’ll continue to be successful, and I hope that we’ll be able to make some headway with some of the insurance issues the shops are dealing with. We’d like to be able to just flip a switch and make things better for all the shops in New Jersey, but it’s just not that simple.

NJA: What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the industry through your career?

JM: Technology. It’s always been technology. I remember a ‘big change’ that was industry altering was when they first came out with the mig welder. Now, look at the technology we are dealing with – ADAS, Lidar and all these things that are in the vehicles now. Another big change is when we went from handwriting estimates out of a book to computerbased estimating. Changes are always happening whether its equipment or procedures. You have to stay up on that.

That’s one thing the association has always been good at providing for members, making them aware and having the information and education available.

NJA: In addition to cars, you also have a love for civil war weapons. How did you get into that hobby?

JM: I was always a camper. I happened to be camping in South Jersey when a buddy of mine who lived in Virginia

told me about his Civil War shooting competition and asked me to come to check it out. So I did, and now 41 years later, I am still doing it.

NJA: Will retirement life give you more time for this hobby and others?

JM: It should! People get confused about what it is I actually do with the North-South Skirmish Association. It’s not a re-enactment. We compete by shooting Civil War weapons. Each team represents an original unit that served during the Civil War. Our uniforms are basically a living history, but we don’t run around the woods pretending to shoot each other; we shoot for a high score. And we shoot every weapon that was used in the Civil War, like cannons and rifles.

NJA: What will you miss most about daily shop life?

JM: First of all, I loved to work. It was my craft. Body repair is my craft, and I was somehow given an innate ability to learn how to do it…and do it well. I’ll miss that. Newer vehicles aren’t as much fun. It’s all more technical now.

Fixing and painting a piece of metal is like doing something artistic. Reading data sheets on the computer and making repair plans must be done, but it’s not my craft. My craft is doing and fixing.

NJA: What will you miss the least?

JM: The insurance companies.

NJA: As an industry veteran, what advice would you give to anyone looking to launch a career in auto body?

JM: Starting a business today can be very challenging. But there are plenty of jobs out there. You can make a good living doing it. I’ll give you a quote from the first guy who taught me to do body work. I was 16 years old at the time, and he said, ‘Kid, you’re going to spend more time here than you will with your family. Now, I guarantee you, if you learn this trade and learn it well, you’ll never be without a day’s work in your life.’ He was right. I have never been without a day’s work in my life.

NJA: What is one thing a life in collision repair gave you that you’d not have if you chose a different career path?

JM: As a tradesman, I don’t know if I could have risen to the level of being able to be of service if I was in a different field. I am passionate about collision repair, and I’m passionate about the guys in the industry, and that is what drove me to participate as much as I did in having the association grow. That’s what gave me the opportunity to contribute to others.

NJA

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COVER STORY

BY ALANA QUARTUCCIO

Take Command of Your Future at

March 20-22, 2026 Meadowlands Expo Center Secaucus, NJ

It’s time to take command of your future.

It’s a new year, and with that comes the opportunity for a fresh start. Whether that means new equipment for the shop, enhanced training for your technicians or expanding and overhauling your business’s offering, there is really only one place to get it all started. AASP/NJ’s NORTHEAST® Automotive Services Show is just two months away, and excitement is growing for the largest automotive services show on the East Coast!

As details unfold for the 2026 show – set for March 20-22 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center (MEC) in Secaucus, NJ – collision repair and automotive professionals can rest assured the show will have everything you need to drive your future.

“NORTHEAST offers automotive repair professionals opportunities they can’t get anywhere else outside of SEMA,” states AASP/NJ President Ken Miller. “Exposure to equipment, tools, resources and education are all here under one roof, and that offering expands more and more each year. If you want to get in a good position for a healthy future, this is where you need to be in March.”

The 2026 iteration marks the 49th year of AASP/NJ’s flagship event. Thousands of automotive professionals from up and down the East Coast and beyond make the Meadowlands their go-to destination every March and get the first look at the newest equipment, tools and new technologies on the market via more than 150 exhibitors.

And it wouldn’t be NORTHEAST without the many activities that make this event fun and worthwhile! The Fourth 32 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2026

Annual Body Work Bowl Collision Repair Skills Competition will make its return, giving technicians a chance to get in the ring – literally – and show off their skills in painting, welding and estimating. The top three winners in each category take home a slew of prizes and some pretty cool bragging rights! The NORTHEAST Dollars giveaway is another popular favorite. All one has to do is pre-register, attend the event and be sure to have your phone along because you may just be randomly selected for $500 worth of NORTHEAST Dollars to be applied to any purchase on the show floor.

The show really does have something for everyone, and this year, the focus extends deeper into the automotive mechanical world.

NORTHEAST 2026 will mean even greater opportunity for mechanical shop owners, promises AASP/NJ Mechanical Executive Director Joe Ocello.

“Come for the exposure to colleagues, vendors, training and more,” he suggests. “Not only will you be surrounded by like-minded professionals, but it’s also an opportunity to get access to information you normally don’t have time for during your work day. Taking the time to meet with vendors on the show floor will open the door to learn about training programs and new technologies you would not be aware of without taking the time to meet them on the show floor.”

The NORTHEAST educational slate is expected to include offerings pertaining directly to the mechanical side this year as well. “Things are changing so quickly,” Ocello continued on pg. 34

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COVER STORY

continued from pg. 32

continues. “Shops are struggling to keep up with rapid industry changes like staffing shortages and rising costs.

One doesn’t always have the time to follow up on the many issues the mechanical field experiences, but NORTHEAST provides opportunities to learn how to tackle these issues from those in the know.”

Speaking of education, AASP/NJ is excited to welcome back AirPro Diagnostics as Education Sponsor.

NORTHEAST is known for an elite educational experience that can’t easily be found outside of SEMA. Every year, some of the industry’s most recognizable professionals flock to the Meadowlands to share their knowledge about the most pressing issues and industry trends.

Who could possibly be more recognizable than Mike Anderson (Collision Advice)? Anderson travels over 300 days a year, bringing his dynamic brand of knowledge to repair professionals around the country, and he always makes NORTHEAST one of his stops! This year, he will team up with Benjamin Stephens (Matthew’s Auto Supplies) for a day-long estimating workshop to kick off the NORTHEAST weekend on Friday, March 20.

Anderson says it’s the people that make it easy to come back year after year. “Everyone is always so gracious and kind for having me. It’s always a great turnout. It’s one of the largest trade shows in the country as far as attendance goes, so it’s a great opportunity to connect with people.”

He’s proud to team up with Stephens for this important session. “I just think the world of Benjamin. I worked with

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34 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2026

him and his dad at their shop before his dad passed away. I’m not going to be doing this forever as I have more years behind me than I do in front of me so any time I can support the younger generation that’s out there sharing knowledge and insight is an honor for me to do so. My goal is not to teach this class, but I’ll be there to provide color commentary and to support Benjamin.”

“I’m really looking forward to returning to NORTHEAST,” shares Stephens, whose debut estimating-based presentation at the show last year drew standing-room attendance. “I was blown away with the turnout and response.”

This year, his presentation will be focused on estimating, but he will also branch into negotiations and how to take care of the customer. Stephens will address procedures repair professionals may not easily be thinking about when it comes to ADAS calibrations or safety system checks.

He will also address how the Right to Appraisal can be used to get fairly reimbursed. “When I teach estimating, I talk about the things one can charge for, but the hard part can be getting paid for those items.” Stephens will share his success with utilizing the Appraisal Clause. “What’s the point of training someone to charge for things if they can’t get paid for it? So, I want to show attendees that they can get paid.”

He’s enthusiastic about working with Anderson whom he credits with setting him on the path he’s on today.

“I’m definitely excited to do this presentation with Mike Anderson. Aside from my father, he is the reason I’m in this business. Back in the mid 2000s, my dad was in a 20 Group led by Mike. My father told me I had to meet him. So, I got on the plane with my dad to wherever the meeting was held, met him and was inspired. My goal was to become a math professor, but Mike convinced me to take over my dad’s business and grow it. That’s what I did. I owe a lot to Mike.

I’m inspired to do what he does. I always liked teaching and sharing knowledge, and that is what Mike does. He helps people with their livelihood and in supporting their employees and their technicians and families. It’s really come full circle. I get to do my job working for Matthew’s Auto Supplies, and I get to work side by side with Mike.”

Later in the NORTHEAST weekend, Anderson will enlighten attendees with the unveiling of his new presentation based on his 2026 theme of “Ignite Excellence.” “Every year, I pick a new theme. Last year, it was ‘Stay Humble, Stay Hungry.’ We just need to ignite excellence within our organization when it comes to safe and proper repairs and the customer experience. I’ll be bringing industry-specific statistics for the individual surrounding states of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania and whatever the latest greatest is regarding OEM trends, certifications and insurance trends. It’ll be great to just catch up with people.”

Kyle Bradshaw (K&M Collision; Hickory, NC) will make his debut at NORTHEAST with his “Excellence Wins: Redefining Customer Experience in Collision Repair” presentation. Bradshaw will share real, day-to-day examples of how his team has built a culture focused on doing the continued on pg. 38

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New Jersey Automotive | January 2026 | 35

ARANJ

ARANJ Board of Directors David Yeager - EL & M Auto (800) 624-2266 / elandmauto@aol.com Ed Silipena - American II Autos (609) 965-0987 / esilipena@yahoo.com Norm Vachon - Port Murray Auto (908) 689-3152 / portmurrayauto@yahoo.com Dillon Rinkens - East Brunswick Auto (732) 254-6501 / ebautonj@comcast.net

ARANJ Officers

President - Rodney Krawczyk Ace Auto Wreckers (732) 254-9816 / aceautonj@comcast.net 1st Vice President - Daryl Carman Lentini Auto Salvage (908) 782-4440 / darryl@las-parts.coms 2nd Vice President - Mike Ronayne Tilghmans Auto Parts (609) 723-7469 / tilghmans@snip.net

The Automotive Recyclers Association of New Jersey

Wharton Insurance Briefs

Drivers face out-of-the-ordinary challenges when winter weather strikes.

Snow, slush or icy road conditions are related to one in four vehicle crashes, according to the US DOT Federal Highway Administration. These conditions make it harder to see, brake and stop, which are all factors that can increase the chances of an accident.

When winter weather arrives, make sure your vehicles are prepared in advance (ice scraper, shovel, sand or salt), know the forecast (monitor road and weather conditions) and instruct your employees to drive based on the road conditions. Make sure they clear snow or ice from windshields, windows, mirrors, lights, reflectors, hood, roof, etc. Drive with headlights on, and be cautious when approaching snow banks that limit your view. If you break down or get stranded, make sure you are out of harm’s way, stay in your vehicle, keep your seat belt on, and call for help. It would be advisable to share your travel plans with someone else in case you’re not in an area with cell service. This way if you’re overdue, first responders will know where to start looking.

We hope you had a wonderful holiday and stay safe and healthy for the New Year.

Past President - Bob Dirkes Dirkes Used Auto Parts (609) 625-1718 / dirkesauto@gmail.com

36 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2026

Mario DeFilippis AAI Vice President Wharton Insurance Group

(732) 686-7020 (direct line) (908) 513-8588 (cell) mdefilippis@whartoninsurance.com

NJA

INDUSTRY UPDATE

High Performance and Functionality with RAE’s New VAS 843007 Riveting System The new VAS 843007 pneumatichydraulic riveting system is an optimal choice for repairers in need of a modular, high-performance system for riveting tasks. Designed for versatility and precision, its modular technology supports the use of various adapters, dies and tools, enabling a wide range of rivet types to be processed with just one tool for performance in various applications.

With the inclusion of the Premium Booster, rivets can be processed with impressive speed and setting force to improve efficiency and cycle time in the shop. One of the standout features of the premium booster is its patented function for controllable, force-free rapid advance; this “Smart Control” technology ensures precise and safe positioning of tools and maximum control, even during the most sensitive of repair operations. The

entire pressing or pulling process can be controlled with millimeter accuracy.

The system can be combined with different hydraulic cylinders and C-arms for enhanced functionality, and delivers precise control with up to 800 bar hydraulic pressure, ensuring accuracy regardless of the task at hand.

With OEM approvals from Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen, the VAS 843007 system is an excellent choice for repairers looking to perform accurate, precise rivets as recommended by the manufacturer.

To learn more about the VAS 843007 system or to view Reliable Automotive Equipment’s full offering of products, services and support, visit raeservice.com.

The VAS 843007 riveting system is a modular, high-performance system able to handle a variety of riveting tasks.

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COVER STORY

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

continued from pg. 34

small things with excellence – the kind of details that earn trust, create loyalty and turn a stressful repair experience into something customers actually appreciate.

More on the educational slate will be unveiled in upcoming issues of New Jersey Automotive.

“There’s already so much excitement brewing for NORTHEAST 2026; there’s no doubt it will be our biggest show yet,” Miller promises. “NORTHEAST has become the must-attend event for anyone serious about this industry. If you’re committed to staying current and competitive, start making your plans now!”

NORTHEAST 2026 show hours are 5pm to 10pm on Friday, March 20, 10am to 5pm on Saturday, March 21 and 10am to 3pm on Sunday, March 22. Attendees can pre-register for free admission, make accommodations and get the latest updates by visiting aaspnjnortheast.com.

NJA

1Source ADAS.............................. 10 Acme Nissan................................. 6 Albert Kemperle............................ 25, 39 Audi Group................................... 19 BMW Group.................................. 4 Dashlight Solutions....................... 18 Empire Auto Parts......................... 8 Glen Toyota................................... 3 GM Parts Group............................ 36 Hyundai Group............................. 35 Industry Update (Reliable)............ 37 Innovative C.R.T.E........................ IFC Kollective Auto Group................... 5 Krehel Auto/Klean Frame.............. 27 Land Rover Princeton................... 12 Maxon Buick-GMC-Hyundai......... 9 Metropolitan Car-O-Liner.............. 33 North............................................. 24 NORTHEAST® 2026..................... 15 NUCAR..............................................16-17 Paul Miller Subaru......................... 34 Porsche Group.............................. 23 Reliable Automotive Equipment.... 20-21 Subaru Group............................... 38 Telwin............................................ 35 Thomas Greco Publishing............ 37 Titanium Payments........................ 11 USI of North America.................... OBC Valtek............................................ 27 VW Group..................................... 31 WIN............................................... 23 World Insurance Associates......... 13

38 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2026

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40 | New Jersey Automotive | January 2026