Collision Care Auto Body Centers

NEWS: 06-18-2013 Collision Care is an authorized collision repair facility for Main Line BMW, Elkins Chevrolet & Cherry Hill Nissan!

Our Management Team

VAL FICHERA, PRESIDENT AND CEO

Val’s experience in the collision repair industry is as practical as it is professional. Starting at an age when most kids were outside playing, Val was side by side with family members, working on cars in the family business and learning old fashioned values from his grandparents. At the tender age of 18, he was afforded the opportunity to take ownership and steer the business into a new millennium. With time and dedication, Val’s vision for the company has come to fruition. Self taught in best business practices, customers have always been his number one priority. Has been involved in the collision industry for over 20 years at every level of the company. His business backround includes accounting, Carstar corporate training, Who’s Who in Business Professionals, with featured publications in BodyShop Business magazine and ABRN (AutoBodyRepairNews)and proficiency in regional fixed operations and repair procedures. Actively participated and piloted several programs with various insurance carriers during his tenure. Val was a member of the Board Advisement Commitee for the Philadelphia Public School System. A licensed automobile appraiser from age 15, Val still takes a hands on approach when it comes to teaching, mentoring, training and providing customer service.
LOU BERMAN, VP Sales and Marketing

Aside from CEO Val Fichera, Lou is the longest tenured member of Collision Care Auto Body Centers, starting out in 1992. Upon graduation from West Chester University, with a BA in Communications, Lou was a coveted pro football prospect and upon the conclusion of his football career, Lou’s career began with Collision Care. Starting at the bottom, much like CEO Val Fichera, Lou has served in practically every capacity within the company, from management, to sales and marketing, to customer service and production management. Lou’s area of expertise is wide ranging within the sales and marketing field. He has cultivated many relationships within the local marketplace that have stood the test of time to this day, for which he modestly credits the stability and efforts of the company, which he believes enables him to be successful. “It’s easy to make promises when the Collision Care family has been keeping them for over 80 years”, Berman says. Lou has two children, Bianca, and Louie Jr. In 1999 Louie Jr. was diagnosed with Autism and much of Lou’s spare time goes advocating for the Louie’s Voice foundation, a non-profit set up to benefit children and families suffering from Autism, as well as other Autism related charitable organizations.
DALE SHELLENBERGER, VP Operations

With an extensive backround in upper level insurance management and a practical application expertise for systems, operations, employee development and training, Dale was the obvious choice to take the company to new levels of achievement. Dales duties are to attract, retain and motivate the best talent to drive business strategy. Providing peak performance as well as directing company compliance, Dale directs the corporate strategy that is transforming Collision Care into a high-performance claims service company, recognized by almost every insurance company as a preferred provider. Dale hosts workshops and continuing education for all employees of company and is responsible for the daily operation, workflow, management, employee development and overall business performance of the company. Dales certfications include, but are not limited to I/CAR, ASE, Cycle time Management, Customer relations, and Regional Insurance Claims Management.
LEW KORN, Operations Director

Lew started in the auto repair industry at the age of 15. His after school job was sweeping up the shop, carrying out used parts and wet sanding panels for paint. Little by little he learned every position in the shop. When someone called out or took time off he would fill in at their position. With knowledge and training being one of Lew’s strengths, he attended Bear Frame straightening school and attending I-CAR Industry classes since they began. Lew has attended Sikkens and Dupont paint certification school in mixing, application and color tint, in addition to the BMW school on repair of aluminum structure and body parts. He has attended Car-o-liner electronic frame measuring classes and used their machine for the past 15 years. Lew was nominated in 2000 for the Emile Stanly Award for industry excellence - the award was presented to him at NACE 2000 collision repair convention. Since then, Lew’s training has continued thru PPG , AMI, and State Farm Select Service in Bloomington, Ill. Lew is also ASE certified in body, frame, paint, estimating and is a PA licensed estimator . Lew’s 18 years of management experience, knowledge and expertise is invaluable to the other team members at Collision Care. Lew has been married for 40 years , has two grown boys and 4 grandchildren.
JOHN REED, Business Development Manager

John Reed graduated from West Chester University with a BA in Business Management. For a number of years, John acquired expertise in the financial sector, enjoying success at companies like Sovereign Bank and Morgan Stanley. Seeking new challenges, John joined Collision Care in 2008 and serves as Business Development Manager. In addition to these duties, John also manages store compliance, regulatory advisement, Sales & Marketing support, as well as Social media management responsibilities.
SUSAN COPELAND, Corporate Controller

Susan Copeland oversees company accounting practices and ensures accuracy with vendors, customers and human resources. Manages accounts payable with vendors. Responsible for billing, payroll, financial and corporate compliance with all federal, state and local agencies. Represents Collislion Care for all unemployment and workman’s comp concerns. Administrator for all 401k benefits as well as health care benefits. Susan presents a wide range of experience and capabilities and is an invaluable member of the Collision Care Team. As a former hospitality director for Saks Fifth Avenue, Susans energy and ‘can do’ attitude is a resource valued by everyone at the company.