Travis Williams
Meadow Vista,USA
Summary
Results-driven Collision Repair Operations Manager with 33 years of expertise in high-volume auto body shop management, focusing on estimating and refinishing. Proven record of enhancing DRP performance, improving KPIs, and boosting sales and gross profit. Skilled in production leadership, insurer relations, and process improvement, delivering consistent operational success across multi-carrier programs.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager of operations
Kniesel's Collision
Auburn, California
10.2024 - 05.2026
- Oversaw daily operations of multiple departments, ensuring compliance with established protocols.
- Developed and implemented operational policies and procedures to improve efficiency.
- Established key performance indicators for tracking progress towards organizational objectives.
- Recruited, hired, and trained new staff members according to organizational standards.
- Recruited, hired and trained crew members on application of projects, customer relations, and customer service.
Regional Business development manager
PPG INDUSTRIES, INC
Norcal Territory, CA
09.2019 - 07.2024
- Implemented innovative business strategies to drive regional performance improvements.
- Developed strategic partnerships with key stakeholders across various regions.
- Led market analysis to identify growth opportunities in diverse sectors.
- Fostered long-term partnerships with key industry players to enhance market presence.
- Fostered relationships with distributors to strengthen supply chain effectiveness.
- Monitored industry trends to adapt strategies and maintain competitive advantage.
- Researched competitors' activities and provided recommendations on how to stay ahead of the competition.
- Established new customer accounts using negotiation and sales closing abilities.
- Improved profit margins by effectively managing expenses, budget, and overhead, increasing closings and optimizing product turns.
General manager
Caliber Collision
Rocklin, California
03.2019 - 09.2019
- Developed operational strategies to streamline processes and reduce downtime in repairs.
- Supervised daily operations to ensure high-quality vehicle repairs and customer service.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff members to ensure efficient operations.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations and company policies throughout the facility.
- Created a positive work environment by developing team building activities that encouraged collaboration among departments.
General Manager
Kniesel's Collision
Citrus Heights, California
02.2017 - 03.2019
- Managed daily operations of collision repair facility, ensuring seamless workflow and high service standards.
- Monitored financial performance and identified areas for improvement in cost savings and revenue generation.
- Facilitated regular meetings to enhance team communication and boost morale.
- Fostered positive work environment through team building activities that promoted cross-departmental collaboration.
Operations Specialist
Caliber Collision
Sacramento, CA
12.2014 - 01.2017
- Lead daily operations for a collision repair location with 31 team members in a high-volume production environment.
- Manage average monthly sales exceeding $500K while maintaining operational efficiency and service quality.
- Increased sales by more than $100K within six months compared with prior management performance.
- Helped establish the location as one of the strongest sales growth performers in the region.
- Oversee estimating and uploads for 10 DRP programs.
- Earned Shop of the Quarter recognition with GEICO ARX.
- Maintain I-CAR role representative Platinum status.
Location Manager
Mike’s Auto Body
Antioch/Lafayette, CA
07.2010 - 12.2014
- Led 27-person team to enhance performance, accountability, and workflow.
- Elevated KPI results across DRP programs, securing top market rankings.
- Achieved strong results with Farmers, State Farm, Allstate, and USAA programs, contributing to overall business success.
- Managed payroll, labor tracking, facility equipment, tooling, and safety compliance.
- Directed production for a facility averaging more than $500K in sales.
- Prepared and uploaded estimates across multiple insurance platforms using CCC, Mitchell, and ADP.
- Participated in Discover U management training program in Texas to enhance leadership skills.
Location Manager
Cooks Collision
Walnut Creek, CA
06.2008 - 07.2010
- Managed production for a location averaging $400K per month in sales.
- Oversaw KPI performance for 18 DRP programs, ensuring alignment with operational goals.
- Managed payroll and repair file closure, enhancing operational control and accuracy.
- Maintained dealer relationships and supported local marketing efforts to strengthen community presence.
- Applied lean and 5S principles to improve shop efficiency and workflow consistency.
Location Manager/Estimator
Vornhagen Body and Paint
Brentwood, CA
03.2005 - 05.2008
- Maintained dealer relationships and coordinated DRP accounts to enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Prepared collision estimates and supported customer service activities.
- Oversaw staff responsibilities, parts management, and production operations to optimize workflow and meet production targets.
- Managed facility operations, staff performance, and workflow coordination to ensure effective daily processes.
Location Manager/Estimator
Jim’s California Auto Body
Walnut Creek, CA
03.1995 - 03.2005
- Served as estimator while leading day-to-day shop operations.
- Coordinated repair processes between both locations, enhancing workflow and service delivery.
- Led 15 employees across two shop locations, ensuring operational efficiency and team alignment.
- Established new insurance and dealer relationships, driving increased business volume.
- Maintained all direct repair program accounts for the business.
- Coordinated I-CAR certification for shop and office staff.
- Completed ongoing training in Mitchell, ADP, and CCC estimating systems.
- Applied journeyman painter expertise to support paint department operations, product inventory, and refinishing production.
Education
Management Training Course -
Discover U
Texas, USA01-2013
Small Business Management, General Education, and Design Courses -
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA01-1995
High School Diploma -
College Park High School
Pleasant Hill, CA01-1992
Skills
- Collision repair leadership
- DRP management and KPI performance
- Operations management
- Production and workflow optimization
- Estimating systems knowledge: CCC, Mitchell, ADP
- Gross profit and sales growth
- Vendor negotiation
- Payroll labor and facility oversight
- Parts production and shop coordination
- Lean improvement
- Team leadership and staff development
- Customer, dealer, and insurance relations
Professional Highlights
- Led teams that doubled average sales within two years.
- Increased gross profit to more than 50% year-to-date by identifying and reducing margin loss.
- Managed operations for facilities generating $400K to $500K+ in monthly sales.
- Improved KPI performance across multiple DRP programs and maintained strong carrier rankings.
- Directed teams of up to 31 employees in high-volume collision repair environments.
- Earned Shop of the Quarter recognition with GEICO ARX.
Timeline
General Manager of operations
Kniesel's Collision
10.2024 - 05.2026
Regional Business development manager
PPG INDUSTRIES, INC
09.2019 - 07.2024
General manager
Caliber Collision
03.2019 - 09.2019
General Manager
Kniesel's Collision
02.2017 - 03.2019
Operations Specialist
Caliber Collision
12.2014 - 01.2017
Location Manager
Mike’s Auto Body
07.2010 - 12.2014
Location Manager
Cooks Collision
06.2008 - 07.2010
Location Manager/Estimator
Vornhagen Body and Paint
03.2005 - 05.2008
Location Manager/Estimator
Jim’s California Auto Body
03.1995 - 03.2005
Management Training Course -
Discover U
Small Business Management, General Education, and Design Courses -
Los Medanos College
High School Diploma -
College Park High School