George Witt, AAM, owns and operates George Witt Service, Inc. in Lincoln, Neb., and has served on the AMI Board of Trustees since 2004, currently serving as Vice Chair. He earned the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation in 2002 and was awarded the AMI Annual Recognition Award in 2005. He is also an AMI-approved instructor teaching courses on service advisor skills, marketing and leadership skills.

Witt a 30-year veteran of the mechanical industry has served as the past president ASA-Nebraska and sponsoring member of the International Automotive Technician's Network (iATN).

Bob Pearson, AAM, owned and operated Pearson Auto Body in Shakopee, Minn., for more than 35 years. He is now the General Manager of the newly merged Pearson Collision Center. Pearson has served on the AMI Board of Trustees since 2003, currently serving as Treasurer and earned the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation in 1999.

Pearson is the past Collision Division Director and current Board President of AASP-Minnesota. In 2003, he represented AASP with other national leaders while visiting the Taiwan Aftermarket Manufacturers. His shop has been an ASA member since 1982.

Ron Pyle is the president and chief staff executive of the Automotive Service Association (ASA). He joined the ASA national staff in July 2002 and has served as its president since Nov. 1, 2002. He has served on the AMI Board of Trustees since 2002.

Prior to joining the ASA staff, Mr. Pyle served as president of CarParts Technologies Distribution Network and was responsible for that company's alliance with major wholesale distributors, program distribution groups, associations and manufacturers.

Mr. Pyle is past chairman and treasurer of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), which represents suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, program groups, educators and vendors in several segments of the automotive aftermarket industry. Mr. Pyle was also chairman of the Automotive Service Industry Association and was instrumental in the efforts to merge that organization with the Automotive Parts and Accessories Association to create AAIA. He has also served on the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association Marketing Committee, chaired the Ford Motor Co. Independent Advisory Committee and served on the Automotive Wholesalers of Texas board of directors.

Mr. Pyle's 30 years of automotive aftermarket experience includes 11 years with the National Pronto Association, initially as director of marketing and, ultimately, as president of this organization of independent warehouse distributors. Under Mr. Pyle's leadership, Pronto grew to become a recognized leader in program distribution.

In addition, Mr. Pyle has owned and operated successful aftermarket distribution and retail companies and also enjoyed a successful assignment as a territory sales manager for Standard Motor Products, a leading aftermarket manufacturer.

Ron Ray is the Executive Director of the I-Car Education Foundation. He joined the AMI Board of Trustees in 2006.

Ray participates on advisory boards for the collision and repair training programs for several career and technical schools and colleges. He is a member of the Automotive Industry Planning Council (AIPC), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Ray has maintained his ASE certification as a master automotive technician since 1976.

Freda Thompson, AAM owns and operates Ace Auto Body, Inc. in Hartselle, Ala. She has served on the AMI Board of Trustees since 2004. Thompson is currently pursuing the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation.

Thompson is the Chairman of the Alabama Collision Repair Industries Association (ACRIA), served on the I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees since 2000 and works with National Auto Body Council (NABC) as a Relief Specialists for disasters.

David Willett is the vice president and general manager of the central division of Zurich Direct Underwriters’ Automotive Specialty Markets (Insurers over 11,000 automotive businesses). With 24 years of experience in the insurance industry, David currently manages five regional offices over 14 states in and between Florida, Michigan and Texas.

The Financial Symposium, The World Tire Expo, All Industry Week in Las Vegas and various customer forums are among the list of places that David has made presentations to our industry. He also is involved in focused training such as AMI course work.

Prior to leading the central division, David was the regional sales manager for the Kansas City office. In this position, he led the growth of the office from 350 customers to 925.

David has been with the aftermarket division since its inception. Starting as the only underwriter in ASM, he provided product training to the sales staff, referral underwriting, premium projections, and served as a liaison to other departments. Based on ASM’s growth, David was promoted to underwriting products manager, focusing more on the liability lines of business. Later he was promoted to director of underwriting. Previously, David was an actuary analyst in the company’s Actuary Department.

Before joining Universal, David worked for Crum and Foster Insurance Group. There he served as underwriting trainee, marketing analyst, and actuary assistant.

David is a designated Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), and holds an Associate in Loss Control Management (ALCM) designation.