PORT CHARLOTTE, FL (December 23, 2025) — The board of the Changing and Saving Lives Foundation® is comprised of industry leaders tasked with guiding the growing foundation from its creation into a robust, dynamic organization. That requires a smart strategic plan, dedication and strong leadership. At the annual meeting of the Changing and Saving Lives Foundation® on December 12, the board of directors expanded the board size to five members, per the bylaws, and elected two new members.
John Winchell – Treasurer, Changing and Saving Lives Foundation®
John Winchell is the in-house CPA for Midway Auto, Inc. based in Kansas City, MO. After many years as an independent CPA, he joined Midway Auto Parts as the controller/CFO. He also serves as the CPA for URG. He has extensive experience in managing grant-writing businesses and leading non-profit organizations. He was instrumental in the formation of the Changing and Saving Lives Foundation®. John’s goal on the board is to help fulfill the mission of the organization, including implementing additional accounting and administrative procedures, improving the financial outlook of the foundation and ensuring program operations are conducive to donor review and audit requirement.
Tim Bates – Director at Large, Changing and Saving Lives Foundation®
Tim Bates is the Executive Vice President for SolutionWorks, based in Ft. Worth. He currently serves as the head of the NABC® Military Affairs Team. Tim served in three branches of service — Air Force, Army National Guard and Active Duty Army. Following his service, he was in the car business for nine years, starting out as a salesman ending as a general manager. He became an independent Adjuster and immediately deployed to Australia to help write hail claims, then 30 days later he was handed the entire operation and ended up staying seven months. Tim returned and was hired by Catastrophe Solutions International which is now SolutionWorks. He started as an operations manager and is now an Executive Vice President over operations. He also helps with Fleet OEM and Dealership Recon. Tim brings a commitment to strategic leadership, industry insight and a heart for service to the board. His goal is to contribute in three key ways: expanding impact & outreach, driving operational excellence & sustainability and championing the human side of the collision repair industry.
The board thanks Alan Scrimager, who served as treasurer for the Changing and Saving Lives Foundation® since its inception, for his insight and dedication. Alan will continue to serve on the NABC® board of directors and as a financial advisor for the organization. Continuing board members include Don Porter, chairman, Stacy Bartnik, secretary, and Gerry Poirier, director at large.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL AUTO BODY COUNCIL®
The National Auto Body Council® is the premier organization of collision industry partners dedicated to strategic networking opportunities that positively change lives in the communities we serve. The collaborative membership of the National Auto Body Council® has gifted more than 3,500 vehicles and provided extrication opportunities for some 6,000 First Responders in communities around the country through the NABC Recycled Rides® and NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.™) programs. That effort equates to a 4:1 ROI in dollar value delivered from NABC® membership dollars.
The NABC Changing and Saving Lives Foundation®, a 501c3 organization, is committed to the goal of driving change for veterans, military members, first responders and families in need, while harnessing the power of the collective membership of the collision repair industry to positively impact communities where we live and work. As demand for NABC® programs like NABC Recycled Rides® and NABC F.R.E.E.™ grows, so do the needs for resources to manage these important programs. Being able to pursue grants, gifts and donations allows NABC to expand these programs to serve those in need and help communities where we live and work. For more information, visit www.ChangingandSavingLivesFoundation.org
The Changing and Saving Lives Foundation® exists to promote a positive impression of and common interest in the automotive repair industry; to improve the quality of life of families in need, veterans, active-duty military, and first responders through support programs and donations; and to give back to enhance communities across the country. The Changing and Saving Lives Foundation® is a public benefit corporation and is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes and other programs and projects as are described in §§ 170(c)(2)(B), 501(c)(3), 2055(a)(2), and 2522(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or corresponding provisions of any subsequent federal tax laws.