AASP/MA Representatives Share Success Stories with Tennessee Collision Repairers

by Alana Quartuccio

The work of AASP/MA has surely not gone unnoticed.

Years of hard work, dedication and passion went into what the Alliance was able to achieve at the close of 2024. Massachusetts has had to suffer the burden of having the lowest labor reimbursement rate in the nation for decades, and finally, something is being done to bring change. Governor Healey signing the Economic Development Bill, which includes language to establish an auto body labor rate advisory board to meet, study and review the labor reimbursement rate is quite a victory in a long – and still ongoing – battle. 

The news of this success travelled far and wide amidst the collision repair community. Josh Kent, executive director of the Tennessee Collision Repair Association (TCRA), invited AASP/MA Executive Director Lucky Papageorg to address their members about the work that went into their success and the benefits of lobbying during an association meeting in February.

“Lucky is very passionate about this industry, and he’s found success in Massachusetts,” shares Kent. “It was good to hear a different take on things from someone outside of the usual suspects we hear from often. I’ve seen Lucky at several events, but I really got to know him at SEMA. I’m glad we had the opportunity to pick his brain and gain from his knowledge as we continue to work toward our goals.” 

“We appreciated the opportunity to share our experiences with the TCRA community,” says Papageorg. “Lobbying played a huge role in what we were able to achieve. Our lobbyist, Guy Glodis, has served in the state Senate and the House and was able to help open doors for us. Of course, we could not have achieved success without our members’ unwavering response to our calls to action. Their hard work and dedication was the key to our success, which was part of my message to the TCRA meeting attendees and their BOD.” 

The AASP/MA presentation also included Sean Preston of Coverall Law who addressed the TCRA community on the usage of Forever Forms. 

Want more? Check out the April 2025 issue of New England Automotive Report!