NABC Unveils Worldskills Competitors

The two individuals who will represent the United States in the upcoming WorldSkills competition in Helsinki, Finland were recently announced by Teresa Bolton, project manager of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) fund-raising effort that underwrites the competitors’ participation.

“The collision repair technician is Nicolaus Ranker,” Bolton said. “His interest in the auto collision industry started when he was thirteen, when the director of the private school he attended in Kansas encouraged him to help restore an old Mustang as a fundraiser. Nick helped for three summers, repairing three different Mustangs.

“While enrolling in high school in Lakewood, Colorado, Nick discovered Warren Tech, a vocational program affiliated with his high school, and entered its the auto collision program. Nick won the National Skills contest in 2003 in the high school division, and followed that up with a second place finish in the 2004 National Skills/USA contest in the post secondary division.

“Our collision refinish competitor is Bodie Smith,” Bolton continued. “Bodie attended collision repair classes at Spanish Fork High School in Spanish Fork, Utah. That is when he began participating in SkillsUSA. He later attended Utah Valley State College in pursuit of an Associates Degree in Collision Repair.

“It was during this time Bodie decided to compete again in SkillsUSA. After placing first in the state competition Bodie represented Utah at the National level. It was because of his performance there that he was invited to be the collision refinish competitor at WorldSkills.

“It’s very important to thank NABC and the Collision Industry Foundation for their efforts in raising the $50,000 needed to send Nicolaus and Bodie, along with two teachers, to Helsinki. And there are all the individuals and business whose contributions, both large and small showed their belief in the need for the United States to be represented on the world stage. But I also need to thank some individuals and companies whose behind the scenes activities will help insure our competitors will represent us in the best possible light

“Scott Kinnear of Prescott, Arizona will be training Nick on an Auto Robot machine similar to the one he will be competing on in Helsinki. Ray Swedeen has arranged to get the software for Nick to use to help him learn about the Auto Robot B20 electronic measuring system. I-CAR’s Tom McGee has donated a round trip ticket to Nick for his training in AZ.

‘Sata Spray Equipment is loaning Bodie all the refinishing equipment he will need to compete in Helsinki, while Spies Hecker is providing training both at Utah Valley State College and at its training facility in Michigan. We also express out gratitued toSnap-On Tools for loaning both Nick and Bodie all the tools they will need to compete in Helsinki.

“All of this industry support just makes my heart smile,” Bolton concluded. “The industry sees a need and they all step up to help, what a great industry to be a part of.”