WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) has elected Ben Steinman of Ben’s Auto Body in Mexico, Mo., and Warren Farrar of State Farm Mutual Insurance in Bloomington, Ill., to its board of directors.
Steinman is a 36-year veteran of the automotive service industry, and has operated Ben’s Auto Body in Mexico, Mo., since 1981. Steinman is an ASE certified technician and has been an active member of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) for more than 25 years. Active in industry education, Steinman chaired the central state of Missouri I-CAR from 1982-1985, chaired an advisory committee at Linn Technical School and taught adult education classes for several years at the Mexico Area VoTech. He has completed ARMS and Carstar Training classes, moderated panels at NACE and attended NACE every year since its inception. At the 1999 ASA Annual Convention, Steinman was presented with the Phoenix Award recognizing his extraordinary contribution to the automotive service industry. Steinman was a Carquest Excellence Award finalist for three straight years and received the 2007 Humanitarian Award from ASA in recognition of his outstanding service to society. Last year, the Mexico, Mo., Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Steinman for his outstanding civic responsibility and contributions in advancing the growth and welfare of Mexico. A graduate of the Automotive Management Institute, Steinman served on ASA’s Collision Division Advisory Board from 1995-2000.
Farrar, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, is assistant vice president, Claims for State Farm Fire and Casualty Company in Bloomington, Ill. He joined State Farm in 1975 in Commercial Underwriting in the Lincoln, Neb., office where, after several promotions, he was appointed field claim specialist, fire and casualty in 1980. He moved to the Costa Mesa, Calif., region in 1986 as claim supervisor and was promoted to claim superintendent later that year. He became divisional claim superintendent in 1987, assistant division manager in 1990 and claims manager-property and casualty later in 1990. He assumed his current position in 1993. Warren is a native of Nebraska and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He earned the Chartered Property Underwriter (CPCU), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations in 1988.
“CAPA is fortunate to have industry leaders such as Ben Steinman and Warren Farrar join us in our effort to ensure high quality alternative parts,” said Jack Gillis, executive director of the non-profit association. “CAPA’s board represents a broad range of industry expertise, which has never been more important as all parties join together to keep repairs affordable and cars repairable. Our board provides a unique insight into issues facing the aftermarket parts industry, which is extremely important to CAPA’s continuing success.”
CAPA’s current board includes:
· Bob Anderson, Anderson’s Automotive Services, Chairman
· Bill Daly, Allstate Insurance
· Warren Farrar, State Farm Mutual Insurance
· Jackie Gillan, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
· Jack Gillis, CAPA
· Carl Hartman, LKQ/Keystone
· Brian O’Connor, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
· Ben Steinman, Ben’s Auto Body
· Mike West, Southtowne Auto Rebuild
