Meet the Board
Bryan Burdette has spent 30 years working in the automotive industry, serving equally in service departments and collision centers. He is now the Manager of Jim Norton’s Toyota Certified Collision Center, overseeing a well-trained team of 26. Bryan’s journey started in 1993 working at a Mazda/Kia dealership, doing everything from prepping cars in the paint shop to eventually writing service. He then joined City Motors in 1998, a Toyota/Chevy dealership in Montana, and in 2000 was promoted to Assistant Body Shop Manager. In 2012 Bryan moved back to Oklahoma and began his career at Jim Norton Toyota, rising to Toyota Certified Collision Center Manager in 2017. Bryan’s two main goals for the Auto Body Association are to increase safety practices by having every shop within the association perform OE repairs in the exact same manner, as well as collaborate on the challenges facing the automotive industry and finding solutions together.
Jessica Stegner My husband and I started Tim's Body Worx in 1996. Since then we have watched the industry, learned from some great visionaries, and grown our business to a successful collision repair shop in a small rural town. I am passionate about this industry and all that it brings. I love what I do and I love to learn and share what I have learned. I believe we can make changes for the better. I am excited to be working with such a diverse group of individuals with a common goal: repair vehicles correctly and take care of our clients. My excitement for this next year is high and I can't wait to see where we can go!
Stephenie Dennice Sheppard, MS Marketing, MSc Digital Media, Director of Operations – Collision Automotive Repair Services Inc. (CARS)
My diverse educational and career background has lead me to my current leadership position. I was in the Cosmetology field for 18 years from working in a shop to ownership of three Salons & Day Spas. An additional 5 years in operational management for swimming pool company. With this broad background in personnel management and business operations, coupled with my dual master’s in marketing, I possess a skill set for success. My broad experience has prepared me to be effective in this industry which is very challenging and rewarding at the same time.
It is truly an industry where honesty and hard work does pay off.
CARS Cooperative provides me the opportunity to help shop owners and managers make the best out of the options and opportunities that this industry has to offer, and with that the Shop’s bottom line increase to be more profitable.
Ementi Coary started working in the industry 18 years ago. He has been on all sides of the auto body industry. His goal is to bring shops together for a common goal of education. That’s why he has been so involved in starting associations and bringing value to shops.
Jordan Short Growing up in an automotive repair shop, Jordan has extensive experience in all aspects of auto repair. With over 20 years of mechanical, body, paint, service and Shop Owner skills, he is now an instructor for the Collision Repair Course at Meridian Technology Center. Jordan is excited to be teaching the next generation of collision repair professionals.
Amanda Allen is the co-owner of Allen Auto Body in NW Oklahoma City. She and her husband have been operating at their current location for 6 years. Amanda started her collision repair career in the early 90’s and enjoys studying structural technology and collision physics. During that time, she spent 10 years in the insurance industry as a field appraiser / licensed adjuster. When Amanda is away from the shop, she enjoys camping, outdoor cooking, spending time with family, and attending church.
Thomas Robinson Started in business in 1981 and have had roll of Technician at large fleet shop, 1989 started my first sales roll with Safety Kleen as Special Markets Manager in detail we sold sand papers to buffing pads along with paint gun cleaners. 1996 to 2003 had different roles with couple different Paint Distributors, 2003 to present I am with Akzo Nobel as District Sales Manager and I cover nine states with eleven employees that report directly to me.
Rick Stiles Employed by Beeler Distributing Company from January 1976 thru July 1996. I began as a stock-picker and ended as General Manager.
Brian Davis started working at Davis Paint and Collision Inc. in 2007. His job is more than just a job to him, it is his family. He prides himself by always putting in 100% into everything he does. In 2016 he earned the title of General Manager. Under his team and leadership, the family business grew to three locations in the Oklahoma City metro area.
Brian grew up in Midwest City Oklahoma and attended University of Central Oklahoma where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Law and Finance. Brian also holds certificates from The Vale Institute for Estimating, PPG Paint Maker Certification, I-Car Platinum Certified, and several welding certifications (in Steel GMA, Steel Sectioning, Aluminum GMA). He also has numerus hands on certifications in MIG Brazing, Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding Rivet Bonding, Aluminum Panel Repair, Steel Panel Repair, Hem Flange Panel Replacement, Full Frame Unitized Structure Pulling, and Two Sided plastic repair.
Not only has Brian been driven to grow his family’s business but community service has always been very important to him. He is an alumni of Leadership Midwest City. He serves on the Mid-Del Auto advisory board and has been asked repeatedly to speak at Mid-Del Senior days on various subjects ranging from vehicle maintenance, steps to take when involved in an auto accident, and how to file an insurance claim.
Brain and his wife Lindsay have 3 children Braxton, Blake and Madison. They keep him quite busy with sports and other activities. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, golfing, traveling and spending lake time with family and friends. Fun fact he has even run with the bulls in Barcelona.
Jeremiah Graham has worked in the auto body industry for 23 years, and opened Jeremiah’s CARSTAR Collision in January of 2013. He has achieved I-CAR Platinum Individual in several roles, along with earning the ASE Certified Collision Estimator certificate. His shop is I-CAR Gold Class and he holds several I-CAR welding certificates and enjoys any opportunity to work with his hands in the shop.
Jeremiah is passionate about the collision repair industry and its future. He has had the privilege of donating three Recycled Rides vehicles to three very deserving veterans. He’s been asked to sit on vocational school advisory boards, where he shares his thoughts on attracting and growing students into the collision repair industry. Jeremiah also enjoys the opportunity to discuss industry challenges and hearing about the successes of his fellow shop owners.
When Jeremiah isn’t at the shop doing what he calls “The Lord’s Work”, he enjoys spending time at the gun range or tinkering with a current gun project. As much pleasure as the shop and the gun range brings him, he enjoys most of all, spending quality time with his Wife and Daughter, preferably on the lake.
Jeremiah is honored to be a part of OKABA and hopes he can contribute and give back to the collision repair industry as much or more than it has given him over the years. He looks forward to learning and helping to bring the Oklahoma auto body community together.
Brian Shellem Founder and President of Advanced Automotive Equipment, Inc., Prestige Automotive Refinishes, Inc, and Pinnacle Financial Inc. Brian has spent his entire career serving the Collision Repair Industry. Brian started his career in Arizona in 1992 learning the equipment and paint distribution business from some very innovative leaders, after 11 years in the business and a decision to move to Oklahoma in 2002 he founded Advanced Automotive Equipment where he has been focused on bringing the best products and service to the Midwest as well as serving shops nationwide on select products. Brian earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance at Arizona State University as well as numerous industry specific trainings that allow him to serve his customers. He is always in search of the latest innovations and best solutions for his customer’s needs. He loves calling Oklahoma Home and views his mission as one of service to others.
I am proud to own Syed Brothers Collision in Oklahoma City. We are a family owned and operated automotive collision repair company. Syed Brothers Collision proudly serves the local community through the automotive industry. Repairing vehicles for us is not a job but a calling. A calling to worship God through service to the community. We are held at a higher standard because in times of need, people rely on us for proper and professional service.
The automotive industry is growing and evolving every day. There was once a time when engines were simpler, like the de Rivas engine at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Now, we have the beginning of the electric vehicle era, and the work isn't the same as it used to be. Because of such, the Oklahoma Autobody Association couldn't have been more needed. By unifying shops in the great state of Oklahoma, we can focus on safer and better repairs.