Honorees recognized for commitment to training and preparing the next generation of technicians
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — I-CAR® (the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair) recognized Justin Lewis of Accurate Auto Body in Redmond, Washington, and Victor Auto Body Works of Middletown, Connecticut, with its annual industry achievement awards at the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Lewis received the Jeff Silver Memorial Award for Platinum™ Individuals, and Tyler Rook, owner of Victor Auto Body Works, accepted the Russ Verona Memorial Award for Gold Class® Shops. These awards honor achievements during the 2025 performance year that reflect a shared commitment to ongoing education, industry leadership and complete, safe and quality repairs.
Jeff Silver Memorial Award: Justin Lewis, Accurate Auto Body
The Jeff Silver Memorial Award recognizes an individual who champions I-CAR’s Platinum designation, its highest recognition for individuals. At Accurate Auto Body, Lewis mentors technicians, helps customers understand the importance of proper repair procedures and reinforces the role of current training and manufacturer repair information.
Lewis extends his commitment to bettering the collision repair community as president of the Washington Independent Collision Repairer’s Association and through his work with Lake Washington Tech’s collision advisory board.
Russ Verona Memorial Award: Victor Auto Body Works
The Russ Verona Memorial Award recognizes a Gold Class collision repair business that demonstrates a long-standing commitment to training, professionalism and customer care.
Family-owned and operating in Middletown since 1953, Victor Auto Body Works celebrated 30 years of I-CAR Gold Class status this year. Victor Auto Body Works also develops partnerships with local vocational programs to introduce future technicians to collision repair careers in its community.
About the Awards
The Russ Verona Memorial Award and Jeff Silver Memorial Award honor industry pioneers whose legacies continue to inspire excellence today. During his tenure as I-CAR’s President, Jeff Silver was instrumental in establishing the Platinum and Gold Class recognition programs for individuals and shops. Russ Verona, owner of the first I-CAR Gold Class-designated business, set the standard for professionalism and integrity that remains a cornerstone of the industry. Today, I-CAR’s Platinum and Gold Class recognition programs carry those legacies forward by recognizing individuals and shops committed to ongoing training to keep pace with modern repair.
About I-CAR: Founded in 1979, I-CAR is a not-for-profit education, knowledge, and solutions organization designed to support the evolving needs of the Collision Repair Inter-Industry. I-CAR, which is accredited by IACET (The International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training) is focused on improving the quality and safety of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of both the industry and the consumer. For more information, please visit www.i-car.com.
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SOURCE I-CAR
