IGONC Celebrates Industry Excellence at ASTE Awards Ceremony

Raleigh, NC (October 18, 2019) –

The Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina (IGONC) proudly celebrated excellence in the industry during the association’s Annual Induction of Officers and Awards Ceremony on the final night of the 2019 Automotive Service and Technology Expo (ASTE). According to Executive Director Bob Pulverenti, “The Annual Awards Banquet is designed to recognize industry leaders who have demonstrated above-average contributions to the automotive service industry and IGONC. We are grateful to have these repair professionals as part of our association, and it was exciting to celebrate all of their contributions!”

Lucas Underwood of L & N Performance Auto Repair in Blowing Rock, NC was awarded Member of the Year for the second consecutive year. “The IGONC Member of the Year is the highest achievement awarded by IGONC. It is in memory of AC Britain, who was the first executive director of IGONC. Underwood has the spirit and drive needed for our next generation of members,” Pulverenti states. “In addition to being amongst the first shops to get involved with the NC Auto Apprentice Program, Lucas has helped attract new attention to IGONC and aids struggling shop owners through his work with the Auto Shop Owners Group.

IGONC President Dean Bailey presented Mike Allen of Carfix in Garner, NC with the President’s Award in honor of his service as president for his local chapter as well as a member of the Board of Directors. Rick White from 180BIZ traveled to North Carolina ten times in 2019, and IGONC honored his dedication to educating local shop owners by giving him the President’s Award. “Rick White has been a great asset to our members by teaming up with IGONC and offering training,” Pulverenti says.

Gary Summerfield, recently retired from Summerfield Auto Repair of Charlotte, NC, received IGONC Life Membership status due to his lifelong dedication to the automotive aftermarket which includes service to IGONC and AASP’s Boards of Directors as well as legislative lobbying on behalf of the automotive industry.

Danny Sanchez of Autoshop Solutions in Cary, NC and Shelby Damron of Jasper Engines & Transmissions were both recognized with the Associate Member of the Year Award for their commitment to IGONC and the automotive industry.

Four vendors were honored as the Most Outstanding Booth by Attendee Vote: Tekmetric, Circuit Board Medics, Leads Near Me, and Kukui Corporation. “IGONC owes a lot of our success to the support of our vendors,” Pulverenti notes. “The vendor awards are a small way we can express our gratitude.”

With over 500 members, IGONC is North Carolina’s largest member-sponsored non-profit association serving the independent automotive repair, service and collision repair industries since 1959. The association is dedicated to helping its members deal with the many challenges impacting garage owners in their state.

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