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Heavy Duty Repair Forum

2023 Conference Agenda

Use the tabs below to toggle between Tuesday & Wednesday’s Agenda

This a working program agenda, that is subject to change.

Day One: General Sessions, Networking Functions, & Focused Learning Tracks

7:00 - 8:00 a.m.

Networking Breakfast & Vendor Fair

Meet us on the second floor of the Historic Hilton, where the collision industry will be meeting to share breakfast, catch up, and prepare for the event’s program.

Registration & Check-In opens at 7:00 a.m.


8:00 - 8:15 a.m.

Welcome & Overview

The HD Repair Forum is the place for heavy-duty and medium-duty collision repair updates and information. President and co-founder, Brian Nessen, welcomes attendees back to Fort Worth and provides an overview of upcoming trends and recent industry progress.

Brian Nessen, President, HD Repair Forum

8:15 - 9:00 a.m.

How to Have a Great Day Every Day

Steve Beck, President, Beck Seminars

9:00 - 9:15 a.m.

Industry Trends & Insights

Jennifer King, Planning & Market Analysis Marketing Manager, PPG Industries

9:15 - 10:00 a.m.

Parts Supply Chain & New Vehicle Technology

Tim Meeker, Navistar

10:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Networking Break

Sponsored by


10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

Motor Coaches and the Collision Repair Industry

Motor Coach operators are in need of collision repair support. This session outlines the importance of the repair industry to this motor coach customer base. To be discussed is how to access service repair information specific to MCI coaches, and will point the industry to answers on how and where to research and order needed parts for the repair.

Tim Barnes, Director, Private Market Sales, NFI Parts

11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Electric Vehicle Handling & Risk Analysis

Niel Speetjens, Sr. Manager, ADAS/EV Specialty Training, I-CAR

12:00 - 12:15 p.m.

Open Mic


12:15 - 1:15 p.m.

Networking Lunch

Sponsored by


Focused Learning Tracks: Session One

1:15 - 2:45 p.m.

Track A: Motivational Leadership

Steve Beck, President, Beck Seminars

1:15 - 2:45 p.m.

Track B: Ladies and Gentlemen Start Your Search Engines

Mark Claypool, President & CEO, Optima Worldwide

1:15 - 2:45 p.m.

Track C: Troubleshooting an ADAS Equipped Commercial Vehicle

Brian Screeton, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems

2:45 - 3:15 p.m.

Networking Break

Sponsored by


Focused Learning Tracks: Session Two

3:15 - 4:00 p.m.

Track A: Understanding and Addressing the Technician Shortage

George Arrants, Vice President, ASE Education Foundation

3:15 - 4:00 p.m.

Track B: repair solutions for Box Truck Panel and Roof Repair

Matt Melbye, Senior Application Engineering Specialist, 3M

3:15 - 4:00 p.m.

Track C: Creating Positive Shop Culture

Jeff Rhoads, Services Consultant, AkzoNobel Coatings Inc.

Focused Learning Tracks: Session Three

4:15 - 5:00 p.m.

Track A: Scanning and Calibrations with ADAS


4:15 - 5:00 p.m.

Track B: Proper Repair Procedures and Common Mistakes in Composite Repair

Todd Mathes, Application Engineer, 3M
Matthew Aguirre, 3M

4:15 - 5:00 p.m.

Track C: To be announced


5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Industry Networking Reception


Day Two: General Sessions, Networking Functions, & Focused Learning Tracks

7:00 - 8:00 a.m.

Networking Breakfast & Vendor Fair


General Sessions

8:00 - 8:15 a.m.

Welcome Back - Day 1 Recap

Brian Nessen

8:15 - 8:45 a.m.

The Latest in Commercial Vehicle ADAS Technology

Jim Barber, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems

8:45 - 9:15 a.m.

Technicians - Finding the Next Generation

John Helterbrand, Ranken College

9:15 - 9:45 a.m.

Isuzu Commercial Truck Repair Resources and Information

Chris Bishop, Aftersales Development Manager, ISUZU Commercial Truck

9:45 - 10:15 a.m.

Networking Break

Sponsored by 


10:15 - 11:00 a.m.

Panel Discussion - Claims Handling Best Practices and Challenges Post Pandemic

Tom Farney, Regional Claims Leader -Specialty Vehicles, National General, an Allstate Company
Michael Brown, Claims Supervisor – Trucking Division, Great American Insurance Group
Kelly Reich, Home Office Claims Manager – Material Damage, Federated Insurance

11:00 - 11:15 a.m.

To be announced


11:15 - 11:45 a.m.

Latest ADAS on Motorcoaches

Robert Hitt, Prevost

11:45 - 12:00 p.m.

Open Mic


12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Networking Lunch

Sponsored by


Focused Learning Tracks: Session Four

1:15 - 2:45 p.m.

Life-Work Balance

Life/Work Balance is about learning how to structure your life to improve performance both personally and professionally. Life continues to become more complex and move faster. Most of us are constantly accessible with e-mail and cell phones blurring the lines between work life and personal time. Sadly, many mistakenly believe that this is necessary to get more accomplished and advance careers. This course will provide new ideas to create balance in everyday life, reduce stress at home and work, and realize the importance of goal setting in all areas of their life.  

Steve Beck, President, Beck Seminars

1:15 - 2:45 p.m.

Adapting Your Management Strategy to a Post Pandemic World

Ron Kuehn, President, Collision Business Solutions, Inc

1:15 - 2:45 p.m.

Track C: Improving Estimates

The class will discuss items that are commonly missed in the estimating process, This includes missed labor, parts, materials, and sublets in the process. Oftentimes, these commonly missed items pertain to a safety matter and/or contribute to an increase in gross profit.

Dean Hancock, Owner, Fleet Collision Solutions

Focused Learning Tracks: Session Five

2:50 - 3:35 p.m.

Track A: Mentoring- Your Opportunity Amid Crisis

Marc Brune, Business Development Manager, MentorMentee

2:50 - 3:35 p.m.

Track B: Trends, Troubles & Tips for Improved Cycle Times

Tim McKinney, Senior Applications Engineer, Evercoat

2:50 - 3:35 p.m.

Track C: Repairing You Heavy-Duty Repair Business Insurance

David Willett, Chief Underwriting Officer, Spark Underwriters
Billy Eddy, Technical Claims Investigation Director, Spark Underwriters