A lot of businesses think “getting certified” means overhauling everything they do, but this video shows that general business standards are really about tightening up the basics you already have in place. It explains how the ARA Certification program turns everyday practices—like clean customer areas, proper signage, organized records, and compliant insurance and licensing—into a structured checklist that proves your operation runs safely, legally, and professionally.
Mike Kunkle: Mike is an automotive industry lifer having grown up in his family’s new autosupply, paint body & equipment and machine shop. Following his graduation from Northwood University in Midland Michigan, he entered the salvage industry as an installer for Auto Info. His love of the industry led to a successful career in building a large recycling facility in Fort Worth Texas while being instrumental in the formulation and growth of the TEAM PRP program.
This has Mike in demand at many of the largest industry gatherings including ARA, URG, TEAM PRP, Midwest Runner, RCD and various local / state events in the United States, Canada & Australia. Mike uses a basic and proven platform to analyze businesses. Whether it is in a peer group or individual setting, he gives you an honest assessment of where you are at and what steps need to be taken to grow both sales and profits. Mike is a proven leader who is highly regarded in the automotive industry. He delivers results!
Lee Worman has experience with almost every possible scenario within our industry. He grew up working at Worman’s Auto Salvage in which he was a parts puller, delivery driver, warehouse worker, sales person, and buyer. During this time he also went to Little Rock University where he graduated with a degree in business management. Three years after graduating in 1997 Lee took a large role in negotiating a merger between Worman’s Auto Salvage and Linn’s Truck Salvage to form Preferred Auto & Truck Parts.
It was during that time he experienced working directly for a board. In 2003 Lee played a leading role in buying the Linn’s half interest in Preferred Auto to once again work in a family environment. He enjoyed working next to his father until he and his sister purchased his father’s remaining interest in the business in 2006. In 2010 Preferred Auto was at its most profitable point ever and growing double digits annually. At that time Lee negotiated a deal with LKQ to sell the family interest in the business. He agreed to stay with LKQ where he won 5 President’s Club awards with his best two years being 2016 and 2017 before leaving the company in March of 2018. He was also a past URG manager as well as a founding member of Absolute PRP and the PRP trailer system.