Meet Chevy Corn, ABAT’s New Board Member 

by Alana Quartuccio

Chevy Corn sure has one helluva family history in collision repair! As the fourth-generation owner of Corn’s Collision Center, Inc. (Hearne), Chevy hails from a long line of auto body professionals who have built a legacy spanning 76 years and counting. 

Chevy has been immersed in the collision repair industry his entire life, proudly carrying on the family legacy started in 1948 by his great-grandfather, Woodrow Wilson Corn. As the fourth-generation Corn’s Collision Center owner, Chevy brings a wealth of hands-on experience, having worked in every part of the shop. “I’ve been around this industry my entire life — since I was in diapers,” Chevy shares. “I’ve learned from the ground up, working as a technician and in all areas of the shop.” As the newest ABAT Board of Directors member, he’s eager to bring his knowledge and passion to the role, advocating for safe repair practices and supporting fellow shop owners.

Corn’s Collision Center services various vehicles, including autos, light trucks, heavy trucks, buses, fleet vehicles, and recreational vehicles. They even paint airplanes. When Chevy’s great-grandfather retired in the mid-1980s, he turned the business over to his son Larry (Chevy’s grandfather), who expanded it by adding frame equipment, a second building, and estimating software. Then, in 2002, when Larry retired, his son Brandon (Chevy’s father) took over. Chevy officially took the reins in 2021 when he returned to the shop after a brief stint working for insurance companies “to learn the other side of the business and see how the insurance world processes claims.” He was proud to return to his family’s business to “maintain the tradition, quality, and service my family has built over the years. I’m proud to carry out that legacy as a fourth-generation owner.” 

Chevy is dedicated to upholding the quality and service that has defined Corn’s Collision Center for generations, ensuring the family legacy remains strong. While his father, Brandon, still steps in occasionally, Chevy now oversees the day-to-day operations. As for the future, the Corn legacy may continue, with the fifth generation already showing an interest. “My son, Dylan, is only two, but he loves visiting the shop and watching everything we do. It’s too early to say if he’ll follow in my footsteps, but seeing his curiosity and connection to the family business is exciting,” Chevy shares. 

What sets Corn’s Collision Center apart is its unwavering dedication to safe, high-quality repairs and customer service. “We focus on staying current with the latest technology and training to ensure our repairs are cosmetically flawless and meet safety standards,” Chevy says. “We’re also highly invested in the community and have built long-standing customer relationships. Our experience and dedication to safer repair practices and family-oriented values make our shop stand out from the rest.” 

He sees some challenges in the industry: “Staying ahead of vehicle technology is crucial today, as rapidly advancing automotive technology presents several challenges to the auto repair industry. Vehicles today are more complex with electronics and safety systems, so repair shops need to constantly train and keep equipment up to date to meet the demands of these advancements.

“Additionally, the collision repair industry faces challenges with insurance companies,” he adds. “Especially when negotiating fair compensation for quality work and the need to repair vehicles properly.” 

Those challenges and a commitment to advocacy are what led Chevy to ABAT. He’s actively participated in association events like the Texas Auto Body Trade Show. “I ultimately got involved with ABAT to advocate for safe and proper auto repair standards. I joined the organization to connect with other industry professionals, share knowledge and stay informed on legislative and regulatory changes that affect our industry. By being a part of ABAT, I aim to contribute to the betterment of the industry.”

In his new role as an ABAT Board member, Chevy seeks to “promote the importance of safe repairs and work toward initiatives that support independent shop owners like myself.” He hopes to bring a fresh perspective and enthusiasm for education and community outreach. 

“My goal is to ensure that shops in Texas, especially in the College Station and surrounding areas, have access to the resources they need to succeed and continue providing safe, high-quality repairs.” 

Helping people by getting them back into safely repaired vehicles after the trauma of a collision is something he truly loves about his career of choice. “An accident brings challenges people don’t face every day. It’s good to be able to help put our customers and their families back into vehicles that have been safely repaired.” As the Corn’s Collision Center motto states: “We meet our friends by accident.” 

Want more? Check out the November 2024 issue of Texas Automotive!