AGSC Adds New Board Members

The Auto Glass Safety Council™’s (AGSC) board of directors recently added new board members Jeff Olive and Bob Scharaga. The group also voted Jean Pero of JP Consulting in Lakewood, Colo., as its new vice president. Pero previously served as treasurer for the AGSC board. Mike Schenian of City Auto Glass in South St. Paul, Minn., has taken over that role.

Olive serves as training manager for Glasspro, and Scharaga serves as president and owner of All Star Glass. “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve our industry as a board member of the AGSC,” say Olive. “Big changes are on the way for the auto glass industry. As a member of the board, I hope to help shape the future and provide direction to our members. The industry leaders that serve on the AGSC board of directors are dedicated to the advancement of every individual involved with the auto glass replacement process. Joining this team, I will provide my knowledge and input assisting in our forward vision. I don’t like to sit on the bench.”

When asked about his hopes for the AGSC, Olive says, “With the technological advancements in the automotive industry, we continue with the need to provide direction to the auto glass industry moving forward. The AGSC will continue to take on the challenges and provide insight to all that the future brings.”

Scharaga is also excited about his new role.

“One of the reasons I most wanted to become more involved with the AGSC is that after more than 40 years in the auto glass industry, I’m so very excited about all the recent developments in technology that positively affect the safety of drivers and passengers,” says Scharaga. “It continues to be such a learning opportunity within our industry and a prospect to educate our customers. We hear almost daily how important safety is to the insurance industry, and we know that the new advanced drivers’ assistance systems (ADAS) have lessened the injuries and deaths due to auto accidents. As auto glass businesses, how can we not be inspired to learn more and help others?”

Scharaga’s hope for the AGSC is “to make sure our message on a safe windshield installation incorporates a better understanding of advanced drivers’ assistance features.”

Schenian has been in the industry full time since 1978. He first started working in the glazing and auto glass installing part of the business.

“My hope for AGSC is that all industry participants are members,” says Schenian. “Also, [I would like to see] a certification program for recalibration techs.”

Committee News

AGSC Forms ADAS Committee

In response to the importance of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to the auto glass industry, the Auto Glass Safety Council™ has formed an ADAS Committee to lead its work in this area.

The goals of this committee are to:

• Collect and disseminate information about ADAS technology, best practices, legal, quality and other issues involving ADAS;

• Provide educational training, testing and to develop a certification program for calibration technicians;

• Develop education for other stakeholders such as insurers and fleet owners;

• Continually evaluate potential new member services and programs involving ADAS.

Jeff Olive, training manager for Mount Pleasant, S.C.-based Glasspro, will chair the committee. Olive previously chaired the AGSC Education Committee. He will continue to serve on the Education Committee, but Jacques Navant of Don’s Mobile Glass in Modesto, Calif., will take over as chair.

Event News

AGSC to Host Free Insurers’ CEU Forum in San Antonio

The Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) will hold an Insurers’ CEU Forum for the insurance community on Wednesday, September 26, in San Antonio, Texas. The seminar provides education about auto glass safety and 3 CEU credits to participants.

The course has been approved by the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Industry veteran Joel Timmons of Profitable Glass Solutions will lead the educational program. During the course, Timmons will teach agents and insurance company representatives about the ANSI/AGSC/AGRSS™ Standard as well as the AGSC, AGSC Registered Member Companies, and how they work to ensure the safety of policyholders.

All insurers, agents and AGSC Registered Member Companies are invited to attend free of charge. The seminar will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Insurers are invited to stay and attend a lunch with AGSC members from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The course and lunch will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

“This is a great opportunity for insurance agents and representatives to learn more about auto glass safety while also earning CEUs,” says Kathy Bimber, AGSC director of operations.

For more information, visit www.agsc.org/insuranceday

Council News

AGSC Committees to Meet at Auto Glass Week 2018

Several committees of the Auto Glass Safety Council™ (AGSC) will hold meetings at Auto Glass Week™ 2018 in San Antonio, Texas, in September.

The brand-new AGSC ADAS Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 25, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The AGSC AGRSS™ Standards Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 26, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. The meeting is open to the industry.

The Education Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 25, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Marketing Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 25, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Both the Education Committee meeting and Marketing Committee meeting are open to AGSC members only.

Additionally, the AGSC board of directors will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26.

All of the meetings will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

The AGSC will also hold an Insurers’ CEU Forum on Wednesday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., open to all AGC member and insurer company representatives (see related story above).

A lunch for both AGSC members and insurers will follow from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., and then the AGSC Member Meeting will run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

AGSC also will hold its annual Silent Charity Auction on Friday, September 28, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The auction will also be available online prior to the show.

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