RECEIVE EVENT UPDATES!

2023 Auto Glass Week™ Speakers

Todd Ackerman is the CEO of Neural Claim System and a 33-year property and casualty insurance and automotive industry veteran. Drawing on a wealth of experience from automotive technical leadership accountabilities, startups, and several merger and acquisition opportunities, Todd now serves as CEO of NCS, an artificial intelligence company that serves the insurance and auto glass industries.

Todd Ackerman, Neural Claim System

Thursday, September 21 | 8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Change the Auto, Glass, and Insurance Industries

Peter Brown is the president of Tiny & Sons Auto Glass in Pembroke, Massachusetts. Peter’s father started selling used windshields in the late 60s. He would visit local auto salvage yards and save used glass. Peter and his brothers would ride together on weekends and during the summer being paid $4.00 per windshield. Tiny & Sons became a business in 1978. The brothers took over the business in 2008 and in 2016 they opened their second location in Plymouth at Cape Auto Body with 16 employees.

Peter is a graduate of Silver Lake Regional Vocational Tech. and is involved with many organizations, including Plymouth Pilgrim Hall Museum, Pembroke Chamber of Commerce, Talking Information Center, Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield, South Shore Chamber and is the Vice President of the board of directors of the Auto Glass Safety Council.

Peter Brown, Tiny and Sons

Thursday, September 21 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Evaluating Calibration Business Strategy and Equipment

Dean Bruce is the US collision network manager for Ford Motor Company. Dean has worked for Ford Motor Company for more than 34 years. He began his career in 1989 as a Parts & Service Zone Manager in the Boston Region of the Ford Customer Service Division. Since that time, he worked in a wide verity of Marketing, Sales and Service Operations positions. Dean has worked with Dealers and Independent Repair business owners to develop and implement programs to improve Ford and Lincoln owner’s experience with service, parts, and collision repair needs. He is responsible for the Ford Certified Collision Network (FCCN) and Glass Network (FCGN) along with Owner Engagement.

Dean Bruce, Ford Motor Company

Thursday, September 21 | 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
The Future of Glass in Automotive Design

James Chapman is an auto glass technician for Richardson Glass. James Chapman of Richardson Glass Service in Newark, Ohio has been in the auto glass business for the past 20 year with over 15 of those years at Richardson Glass services. He recently earned his Master Auto Glass Technician certification from the Auto Glass Safety Council™ (AGSC) in 2022. James is also Sika and Dupont Certified, an Auto Glass University instructor, serves on the ADAS committee, education committee and standards committee and was the Bronze medalist in 2021 Auto Glass Technician Olympics.

James Chapman, Richardson Glass

Friday, September 22 | 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Tech Time

Chris Chesney is vice president of training and organizational development for Repairify, Inc. In this role, he leads Repairify’s comprehensive training offerings for customers, industry partners, employees, and in-network technicians. With a career spanning over 50 years, Chris is a self-taught technician who has held every primary role in the automotive service industry. This includes master technician, shop owner, service advisor, technical and management educator, and independent training consultant. For 22 years, he led the highly successful Carquest Technical Institute (CTI). He is an active member of the Auto Care Association’s Emerging Technology Council ADAS Working Group, the ASE Training Managers’ Council, as well as a founding member of the TechForce Foundation Future Tech Success Cabinet. He is also a member of the board of directors for Christian Brothers’ Automotive.

Chris Chesney, Repairify Inc.

Thursday, September 21 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Evaluating Calibration Equipment: Technology that is Coming

Kristen Felder is chief executive officer for Collison Hub. Kristen Felder's incredible passion for the collision repair industry has deep roots. She grew up in the family body shop performing repairs, painting and managing the shop before her senior year of high school. She accepted a position with State Farm Insurance Companies, beginning a 14-year career in the insurance industry. Her career in insurance took her from the corporate office as a consultant to leading field operations for national catastrophe teams responding to disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. Every day, her insights and experiences help her to ease the relationships between varying segments of the Collision Repair Industry. Collision Hub grew out of that desire to build relationships and interact across disciplines and encourage all parties in the industry. She is an honors graduate of Arkansas State University with a B.S. in Public Relations and an emphasis in Crisis Communications.

Kristen Felder, Collison Hub

Thursday, September 21 | 1:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
How to Negotiate with Insurance Companies

Matt Kobal is the regional vice president for Glass America and possesses more than 15 years of comprehensive experience in the auto glass industry, excelling in claims administration and retail services. His fervor for government and public affairs drives him to advocate for fairness and safety in the industry, ensuring its continual improvement.

Matt Kobal, Glass America

Friday, September 22 | 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Government Affairs Affecting the Auto Glass Industry

Seth Maiman is the Auto Glass Safety Council’s Director of Public Affairs. Seth has had a long Washington, D.C. career in government and politics. He has served two Members of Congress, in corporate and nonprofit government relations, in state and local government and been in political campaigns at all levels. He holds a B.A. from the State University of New York at Albany and a J.D. from American University.

Seth Maiman, AGSC™ Public Affairs

Friday, September 22 | 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Government Affairs Affecting the Auto Glass Industry

Josh McFarlin is the president and chief operations officer of AirPro Diagnostics. In 1996, Josh took his first job in the automotive industry, working at a local Ford dealership. In 1999, through the Ford ASSET Program, he became a graduate with an Associate’s degree and also the Master ASE Certification. He continued to train and in 2001, became a Ford Senior Master Technician and shortly afterward a Ford OE Service Engineer. Josh completed his bachelor’s degree in automotive service management technology as he continued to help dealership technicians’ problem solve over the phone. In 2005, McFarlin joined Raytheon Professional Services as subject matter expert. While there, he helped develop training and education programs for General Motors Dealership technicians as curriculum manger. In 2013, McFarlin joined I-CAR as the Director of Curriculum and Product Development where he played a vital role in the senior management team.In 2018, McFarlin completed his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) and in 2019 joined AirPro Diagnostics. This opportunity allowed him to use his knowledge of the industry, training platforms, OEM’s and business acumen to assist AirPro in their rapid development.

Josh McFarlin, AirPro Diagnostics

Thursday, September 21 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Evaluating Calibration Equipment: Technology that is Coming

Jacques Navant is the technical director for The Calibration Station, Frog It Out and Don’s Mobile Glass in Modesto, California. Jacques started in the glass industry 29 years ago and has held almost every position in the field, including multiple leadership roles. He is the chair of the Auto Glass Safety Council™ (AGSC), Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Committee and a member of the AGRSS Standards Committee.

Jacques Navant, Don's Mobile Glass

Thursday, September 21 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Evaluating Calibration Equipment: Technology that is Coming

Greg Peeters is CEO of Car ADAS Solutions. An experienced industry speaker, Greg Peeters is the CEO of Car ADAS Solutions. As a highly motivated and results-driven automotive executive, Greg has extensive experience in strategic planning, business development, competitive market share expansion, and operations management. His experience includes working at ABRA Auto Body & Glass for more than 11 years. During his time there, he worked as a district manager, market vice president, regional vice president and vice president. He has dedicated his career to the collision repair industry, specifically focused on vehicle safety systems.

Greg Peeters, Car ADAS Solutions

Thursday, September 21 | 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Achieving an OEM-Centric Calibration

Mike Schenian is the president of City Auto Glass and Auto Glass Safety Council. City Auto Glass serves Minnesota and Florida and is a 100% employee-owned company. They provide repair, replacement, and calibrations to their customers. Mike has also been on the Board of the Minnesota Glass association for over 20 years and served twice as president. Mike and his wife have been married over 40 years and have two children and two grandchildren.

Mike Schenian, AGSC™ President

Friday, September 22 | 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Government Affairs Affecting the Auto Glass Industry

Shiloh Spoo serves as president of GlasWeld, one of the world’s top glass repair tool manufacturers. His experience spans from working as a repair tech to designing revolutionary tools and training. Shiloh is a people-person at heart and is committed to helping techs succeed in the auto glass repair industry.

Shiloh Spoo, GlasWeld

Friday, September 22 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
How to Win at Windshield Repair

Christopher Sobieski is the North American special projects manager at Snap-on Equipment. Chris Sobieski has been in the automotive industry for 40 years. His career started as an independent diagnostic technician for several different independent shops in the Chicago land area. Chris is an ASE Master Certified Technician whose father owned and operated a Phillips 66 service station where he started his career for the first 9 years. In 1998 Chris left the service industry and began his career with Snap-on, first as an Equipment Consultant supporting the Sun brand. Followed up with a role as a Diagnostic Sales Specialist working with the Snap-on franchisees selling handheld diagnostic platforms. Moved back to capital equipment as a John Bean sales rep, District Sales & Service Manager then now ADAS Special Projects Manager North America. Chris has spent the last 25 years with Snap-on training technicians and shop owners on the subjects of: Business Management, Advanced Engine Performance & Drivability, Advanced Wheel Alignment Technique and ADAS Systems & Recalibrations.

Christopher Sobieski, Snap-on Equipment

Thursday, September 21 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Evaluating Calibration Equipment: Technology that is Coming

Nick St. Denis is the director of research at Key Media & Research (KMR), a leading information-provider to the North American paint protection film, window film and glass industries. A former editor of Window Film magazine, St. Denis has a decade of experience in this market and has completed numerous custom research projects for industry businesses. He earned a Master’s in Survey Research and Data Analysis at the University of Connecticut and a Bachelor’s in Journalism at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.

Nick St. Denis, Key Media & Research (KMR)

Thursday, September 21 | 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Auto Glass Industry Economic Update

Patrick Sullivan is co-chairman and senior editor for Risk Information Inc. Patrick Sullivan began his insurance industry career at Risk Information in 2007 as a journalist and analyst, before leaving in 2017 to work at insuretech Carpe Data and later AAIS, a not-for- profit insurance advisory organization. He returned to Risk Information as Conference Co-Chairman and Senior Editor in 2021 and remains in demand as a speaker to insurance industry groups and leading insurance companies nationwide. The one-time owner of Tall Pat Records and long-time resident of Chicago, Patrick is a graduate of Santa Clara University.

Pat Sullivan, Risk Information Inc.

Wednesday, September 20 | 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
How Future Insurance Considerations Will Affect the Industry

Keith Sweeney is the Director of Sales for 100Group in Atlanta, Georgia. As the Inside Sales leader at 100Group, Keith brings nearly two decades of experience in customer service and sales leadership to the organization. His team focuses on delivering integrated payment solutions with a focus on customer experience to a diverse group of organizations within the Tint and Glass industries.

Keith Sweeney, 100Group

Wednesday, September 20 | 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tired of Fighting with Your Credit Card Processor?

Joel Timmons has been employed in the automotive glass industry since graduating from college in 1984. He has served in upper-level management in all facets of supply chain including manufacturing, distribution, retail, and claims management. Joel created his own consulting & education firm, Profitable Glass Solutions Ltd., in 2007 to serve as counsel for those automotive entities seeking efficient solutions leading to better processes and profit. Profitable Glass Solutions Ltd. also offers marketing solutions including Continuing Education programs targeted to create loyalty with insurance agents.

Joel Timmons, Profitable Glass Solutions

Friday, September 22 | 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
CSR Training: Putting Your Best Foot Forward

Translate »