Content brought to you by Auto Body Repair Network. To subscribe, click here.
Nearly 20 years ago, as an apprentice technician at CARSTAR Mundelein, Damien Reyna would have never imagined a time where he was leading the entire organization. Now, with experience in almost every role in the CARSTAR network, Reyna has been promoted to chief operating officer for U.S. Collision, Driven Brands.
"I really credit Jeff and Jeanne Silver for helping me get started and providing an opportunity for me to learn and grow," said Reyna, who spent ten years working with the pair. "They guided me on two paths - one to buy into their business and one to pursue a career at the corporate level. They expedited my training and moved me to each department to learn the front office, estimating, parts management, and then the general manager role. Their confidence in me and encouragement of my potential really made the difference for me."
Reyna, who is a major advocate of continuous learning, constantly focuses on his own growth and development. He worked as an I-CAR instructor for several years, then was recruited to join CARSTAR's corporate team as the operations director for the western U.S.
When taking the COO position, he already had a vision for how he wanted to serve the franchise partners and the organization.
"I wanted to continue to build our culture of success and foster that spirit of our entrepreneurial owners and their families who have built this organization," said Reyna. "My focus is on driving our franchise partners' growth and expansion and making sure our customers are well taken care of. It's about delivering quality and safety in everything we do. We have a unique advantage at Driven Brands, it's our secret sauce, and my goal is to infuse that in everything we do."
Reyna's learned a lot in his time in the industry, here's five tips from CARSTAR's newest COO:
- Don't ever put yourself in a box - don't limit your skills and potential by never trying anything new. Always look for opportunities to tackle a new task or position.
- Get out of your comfort zone.
- Ask questions and look to your role models and mentors for help.
- Have a strong work ethic and build your values around your moral compass. Hard work and solid values are the foundation of any successful career.
- Work for a company that fosters your growth and has a culture that helps you develop your skills and abilities.
By sharing his story, Reyna hopes to inspire young men and women who are looking for opportunities to build a career in the collision industry.
