Recently retired collision professional Tim Adelmann has pledged to donate $500,000 over the next five years to the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) to help address the industry’s technician shortage. It is the largest monetary donation the foundation has ever received, not just from an individual but from any organization.
As a result, as much as $100,000 per year will be awarded to deserving collision repair technician students starting this spring.
“Tim Adelmann and his family’s generous personal donation will allow CREF to remove collision students’ financial barriers, allowing them to continue their education. As CREF works to attract students to the collision industry by showcasing that it’s a rewarding career with endless opportunities, this will only be possible through the support of our industry partners,” said Brandon Eckenrode, managing director of the foundation. “On behalf of the collision programs, students and instructors nationwide that CREF works to support, we thank Tim for this incredible donation as well as for his many years of continued support. We look forward to announcing the first deserving recipients of the Adelmann Family Scholarship this spring.”
An industry veteran of 35 years, Adelmann was the chief business development officer for ABRA. He now works as a consultant.
While serving on CREF’s board of trustees, Adelmann witnessed firsthand the impact that the foundation’s efforts have on schools and students. “Yet, as much as CREF and its industry supporters do, it’s not enough because the current technician shortage is unlike anything our industry has experienced before,” he said.
“Supporting collision students is important for all of us in this industry,” Adelmann added. “The collision repair industry has been a blessing to my family, and we felt it was time to step up.”
