Speaker Expertise

Chris grew up in the automotive industry with his father’s successful family-owned and operated independent repair shop. The business was founded in the 1940s and Chris has transitioned into its fourth generation shop owner and partner where he manages operations and serves as executive director of business strategy and profit model development. His experience includes building, growing and maintaining client relationships, designing standard operating procedures to streamline operations, and managing, supporting and motivating team members to achieve key operational and financial indicators.

Chris is passionate about teaching, coaching and enabling shop owners to take their businesses to the next level. His goal is to help owners work smarter – not harder – and to work on their business instead of in it, giving them more free time. Chris emphasizes strong leadership to achieve team buy-in and empowering owners to move their people in the right direction while holding them accountable to drive results.

Along with his automotive experience, Chris has a strong business background. His strengths include leadership, operations, management, accounting, finance, marketing, and sales. Chris has a Master in Business Administration from York College of Pennsylvania.

Jim Groves began working in the automotive industry in 1974. For over twenty years, he held multiple positions within the fixed operations field of new car dealerships. Moving on to the automatic aftermarket industry, Jim owned and ran his own successful equipment and chemical distribution company, which afforded him the opportunity to begin working hand-in-hand with independent repair shop owners.

Along with selling the products his company handled, he also helped develop business and sales plans for the shop owners he did business with and provided at-the-counter sales training.

Jim lives in Baltimore, Maryland, with his wife, Beth, and son, Jimmy. His passions include golf, traveling with his wife, and, most of all, helping the shop owners he works with at ATI.

Ken Martin has owned his own collision repair center for 17 years and has over 35 years of combined experience in the industry. Ken has worked in the consolidator and dealership collision side of the industry and his specialty was and is converting failing shops into successful shops that thrive. Ken is currently the I-CAR state chairman for the state of Arizona and an I-CAR National Advisory Council Member. Ken looks forward to helping you and your team take your shop to the next level.

Carl has over 43 years of experience in the collision industry and is a third-generation collision expert in this ever-evolving field. A third-generation shop owner, Carl was an ASE Master Tech in 1988 when there were only two tests. In 1992, Carl became I-CAR Certified and was a heavy collision tech and shop owner for many years. After he sold his business, he transitioned into the corporate side, gaining extensive knowledge in general management and compliance as the Southeastern Regional Manager for VeriFacts Automotive, a leader in OEM repair procedures and regulatory requirements. He was also the Regional Production Manager responsible for the process and production flow of over 40 locations in the United States and has won many awards in various areas of our industry. Carl looks forward to sharing his knowledge with shop owners who want to grow as business owners and leaders.