Knodel, McKenzie Named BodyShop Business Executives
BodyShop Business honored Bob Knodel and Eric McKenzie with its annual Executive of the Year awards at the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Auto Parts
BodyShop Business presented Bob Knodel of Silver Creek Auto Body and Eric McKenzie of Asbury Automotive Group with its Executive of the Year awards, sponsored by Autel. The honors were presented at the Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Night at the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Why it matters
The awards recognize collision repair leaders for innovative thinking, overcoming challenges, and perseverance, highlighting leadership within the auto body industry. The program has been presented since 1984, underscoring its long-standing role in recognizing the sector's executives.
Under Knodel's leadership, Silver Creek Auto Body grew from roughly $700,000 to nearly $4 million in annual sales. Knodel has 34 years of collision repair experience and McKenzie has 29 years.
The players
BodyShop Business
A collision repair industry publication that has presented its Executive of the Year awards since 1984.
Bob Knodel
Owner of Silver Creek Auto Body and president of the Oregon Collision Repair Association, who advocates for independent repairers.
Eric McKenzie
Vice president of the Auto Body Association of Texas (ABAT) and a veteran collision repair executive with 29 years in the industry.
Autel
A technology company that sponsored the BodyShop Business Executive of the Year awards.
The details
Knodel, who has been in collision repair for 34 years, is a founding board member and president of the Oregon Collision Repair Association. McKenzie, with 29 years in the industry, began as an estimator at Sewell Collision in 1997 and became vice president of ABAT in 2017.
Timeline
BodyShop Business began presenting the Executive of the Year award in 1984.
McKenzie started as an estimator at Sewell Collision in 1997.
McKenzie became vice president of ABAT in 2017.
The awards were presented at the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Roadmap
The BodyShop Business Executive of the Year program has recognized collision repair leaders annually since 1984, reflecting the sector's long-running emphasis on independent and multi-shop operators. The 2026 honorees, one leading a single shop and one leading a multi-shop group, illustrate the two main business models within the auto body industry.
Consumers who rely on collision repair shops may see the industry's executive focus on innovation and multi-shop growth shape service options. Independent repairers highlighted in these honors reflect the sector's ongoing competition with dealership-affiliated centers.
The takeaway
Recognition from industry peers highlights the value of innovation and perseverance in collision repair. Readers tracking the sector can watch how single-shop and multi-shop leaders adapt to changing vehicle technology and repair demands.
Further reading
Explore more auto parts coverage to see how the industry's suppliers and repairers are evolving.
