WMABA Leaders Go Far 

by Alana Quartuccio

WMABA works to serve the best interests of collision repairers through leadership, education and initiatives that strengthen the professionalism and business conditions for the professional collision repairer, as per their mission statement.

As a result, they’ve not only supported collision repair professionals throughout the Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and DC area, but they’ve grown some pretty strong leaders as well. Some have moved on to serve as leaders in other facets of the collision industry, but no matter how far they go, each continues to call WMABA their family.

That’s why the 2024 SEMA Red Carpet Industry Awards was so extra special! Three former WMABA leaders were given well-earned recognition for their hard work and leadership.

When Barry Dorn (Dorn’s Body and Paint; Mechanicsville, VA) heard his name called as the recipient of the Body Shop Business’ Single-Shop Executive of the Year Award, he was honored and shocked. The past president, serving as Secretary on the WMABA Board as well as on the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) Board, says he was truly honored – especially “knowing that there are so many others who could have come before” him in receiving this recognition. His creative and positive leadership, along with his commitment to affect positive change for the greater good of the industry, is what earned him this recognition, as noted during the award ceremony. 

Dorn sees it as teamwork. “It’s all due to my team and my staff,” he credits. 

SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg has strong ties to the WMABA family having served on its Executive Board in the past. On the SEMA stage, Schulenburg was honored with the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) Volunteer Award as one of the hardest working committee chairs who is not only dependable but always willing to contribute and has continuously put on dynamic presentations at CIC. 

The CIC team had to work hard to keep the award a secret until the very moment they called him to the stage!

“It really was such a surprise, and I’m so appreciative,” Schulenburg recalls. “There are a lot of amazing people who contribute to the committees at CIC, and I’m humbled by it. Volunteerism is important to me, and so this particular acknowledgement means quite a bit. I also think recognitions like this are as much a reflection of the people who support and influence you, as anything else. I have a lot of gratitude for the amazing volunteers and industry contributors that I work side by side with every day at SCRS and within the committees I’ve been fortunate to take part in at CIC. It’s also important to note that none of it is possible without support and understanding at home as well, and my wife has always been such a champion of the work I get to be involved in for the industry. ”

One of – if not the – most well-known collision repair professionals in the industry, Mike Anderson of Collision Advice also hails from WMABA. The former Board member was presented with the most coveted awards of the night: the SCRS March Taylor Kina’Ole Award.

Anderson reports being humbled by the honor, and although he is a noted industry icon by many, he says “March Taylor was my industry icon! 

“There are people you look up to in life, and I looked up to March. He was the real deal. He was the founder of what is now the DEG (Database Enhancement Gateway) website. He did amazing things, and I wanted to be half the man that March was. As I said in my speech, I wanted my Mom and Dad to be proud of me, and I wanted March to be proud of me. For him to tell me the quality of my work was great…there could not be a greater compliment.”

Anderson looks back fondly on his WMABA Board member days. “I was the guy who typed the best, so I was always the secretary,” he quips.

He is proud of the work they did with legislation, training and serving as a voice for the shops. It was a great opportunity to rub elbows with the industry icons of the time who mentored him. 

 “I always saw WMABA as one of the first auto body associations, and so many great leaders have come out of it. I am honored to have served with the men and women back then.”

Want more? Check out the February 2025 issue of Hammer & Dolly!