BodyShop Business magazine has announced its selection of Tom Griffin, president and founder of Mayfield Collision Centers in Mayfield, Ohio, as its 2014 Multi-Shop Executive of the Year, and Rachel Minshall, body shop manager of Soerens Ford Inc. in Brookfield, Wis., as its 2014 Single-Shop Executive of the Year.
The award, handed out since 1984, recognizes true collision repair “visionaries” who have experienced great success through innovative thinking, overcoming challenges and persevering.
Tom Griffin
Griffin’s collision career spans 30 years. He now leads a two-store operation in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, that’s described as a “thriving family business that provides an extraordinary experience for customers and a rewarding work environment for employees.”
“What is truly unique is the customer-centered focus Tom instills in every one of his employees. He will often ask, ‘How is that relevant to our customer?’ and constantly challenges us not to ‘chest pound’ but to honestly evaluate everything we do from the customer’s point of view,” says an employee.
Griffin also is known for helping young people find their way in the industry and championing women in the industry, hiring and nurturing many female employees in his company.
Outside of his business, Griffin has served as past president of Coyote Vision Group and president of the Automotive Service Association Greater Cleveland Chapter. He also sits on the board of the Solon Chamber of Commerce. Mayfield Collision Centers also is the only body shop to participate in GuitarMania, a Greater Cleveland community public art project that has raised $2 million for United Way and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s education programs.
Rachel Minshall
Minshall has been in the auto body business for 21 years, starting as a mechanic in 1996 in the Ford Asset program. An injury ended her career as a mechanic after only two years, but she persevered, switched directions and became the first female service adviser at Soerens. That was the moment she realized what she was born to do: help people by getting their vehicles fixed right the first time.
In 2006, another opportunity arose, this time to grow the body shop, so she became the first female body shop manager at Soerens. Right away, she started updating all the training and certifications at the shop. Within the first year of taking over the shop, she and all the technicians became I-CAR Platinum and the shop became I-CAR Gold.
“What makes Rachel different is that she is kind and fair to technicians and customers,” says an employee. “She goes above and beyond to help the customer’s every need, such as staying late to write an estimate or going to the customer to write the estimates if needed. She states at least 20 times a day, ‘Whatever is easier for you,’ and she goes to the extreme to help people.”
Both Griffin and Minshall will receive an expenses-paid trip to the 2014 NACE/CARS Show in Detroit from BodyShop Business. They will also receive plaques in a formal ceremony prior to the Opening General Session of the show on Thursday, July 31.
