2009 News
CertifiedFirst highlights continuing education instructor development
STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – April 30, 2009 – Key owners and managers from PPG CertifiedFirst® Network collision centers got into the driver’s seat at the Penske Racing facility in Mooresville, NC for a special Continuing Education Instructor Development Training session. The event focused on the value of marketing continuing education to insurance agents, introduced the candidate instructors to the suite of industry-specific courses designed for CertifiedFirst Network shops, as well as prepared them to deliver dynamic and motivating classes to insurance professionals.
“What a great time from start to finish—the people, the material, the facility—everything,” said Tracy Proksch, repair process manager for Schaller Jacobson CARS in Lacrosse, WI. “More CertifiedFirst shops should take advantage of this program.”
Ralph Ross, collision center manager at C.F. Collision in Santa Fe, NM, also enjoyed the session. “I now have the championship combination of CertifiedFirst Marketing Tools and Continuing Education Training to prepare me to race past the competition in my market. I’m so excited about implementing this program!”
PPG Continuing Education Instructor Development Training is a two-day event that prepares anyone with collision industry experience to manage a successful insurance agent marketing campaign at an approved CertifiedFirst Network collision center. “We utilize state-of-the-art training techniques to help our customers quickly learn this unique marketing program that has the potential to make a dramatic difference in their overall agent communication plan,” commented Cheryl Senko, manager, Continuing Education and Network Training for the CertifiedFirst Network. “Bringing our students to the Penske Racing facility in Mooresville provides an exceptional example of motivational teamwork that drives excellence and value.”
The highlight of the training class was a special visit from the driver of the No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge, Justin Allgaier. “Every race is an opportunity, and I see plenty of great opportunities for the PPG continuing education instructors in this class,” commented Allgaier. “Spending time with candidate instructors was a great learning experience because I realize we both have the same goal – to make it to victory lane. With the help of my Verizon Wireless Dodge team, we set out every week to win races. Likewise, the candidate instructors use the tools provided by the CertifiedFirst Network.”
CertifiedFirst Network participants have several opportunities to become state-approved continuing education instructors this year. Scheduled training dates for 2009 include:
- Houston, TX – May 18th – 19th
- Bloomington, MN – May 26th – 27th
- Detroit, MI – June 2nd – 3rd
- Dallas, TX – September 8th – 9th
The Continuing Education for Insurers program is part of a suite of marketing tools available exclusively to CertifiedFirst Network participants. Other network benefits include marketing and ad templates, precision marketing demographic and sales reports, quarterly agent newsletters, and shop credential presentation material. For more information on the CertifiedFirst Network, call the network hotline at 1-866-CERT-1ST (1-866-237-8178).
about ppg
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, specialty materials, chemicals, glass and fiber glass. The company has more than 140 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates and operates in more than 60 countries. Sales in 2008 were $15.8 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.
about the certifiedfirst network
The CertifiedFirst Network is a nationally co-branded auto body repair program developed by the Automotive Refinish unit of PPG Industries to designate high-performing body shops in North America. For more information, log on to www.certifiedfirst.com or call 1-866-CERT-1ST (1-866-237-8178).
about penske racing
Penske Racing is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Penske Racing have produced 306 major race wins, 363 pole positions and 22 National Championships. For more information about Penske Racing, visit www.penskeracing.com.