I-CAR, the renowned leader in collision repair education, has announced the appointment of Kyle Thompson as its new CEO and President, effective May 5, 2025. This change in leadership comes as John S. Van Alstyne, who has served as the company’s guiding force for the past 15 years, prepares to retire later this year, as previously disclosed.
Van Alstyne’s impact on I-CAR has been transformative. Joining the organization in December 2010, he was instrumental in its evolution, growth, and continued success. Under his stewardship, I-CAR reshaped its services, enhanced its financial standing, and firmly positioned itself as a key player in the collision repair industry.
“It has been an incredible privilege to lead I-CAR over the past 15 years, and I’m deeply proud of the work we’ve accomplished as a team on behalf of the industry,” stated Van Alstyne. “As an industry, we are more broadly performing complete, safe, and quality repairs and more connected because of the dedication of our team and the support of our partners. I have full confidence in Kyle’s leadership and the future of I-CAR under his guidance.”
Throughout his tenure, Van Alstyne’s efforts led to a reinvestment of over $57.9 million into initiatives that benefitted the industry. He also expanded the number of I-CAR Gold Class shops, nearly quadrupling their numbers to over 10,000 by the end of 2024. His legacy includes making I-CAR a model employer and setting the stage for continued operational excellence.
Kyle Thompson, who has had a long-standing relationship with I-CAR, brings a wealth of experience to the role. Having served on the I-CAR board of directors for nine years, including a term as chairman beginning in 2020, Thompson is no stranger to the organization’s inner workings. Under his leadership as chair, I-CAR earned accreditation from the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), becoming the only accredited organization in the collision repair sector. Kyle Thompson also played a pivotal role in launching the Chicago Technical Center and the I-CAR Talent Programming Initiative, both of which are expected to have a lasting impact on the industry.
Jennifer Goforth, the board chair of I-CAR, expressed her gratitude for Van Alstyne’s work, noting, “John’s leadership has been transformative for I-CAR, and we are incredibly grateful for his tireless efforts in shaping the organization into what it is today. As we transition to a new era with Kyle as CEO, we are confident in his ability to continue building on the solid foundation John has laid. Kyle’s deep industry experience and commitment to I-CAR’s vision and mission make him the ideal person to lead the organization forward.”
Kyle Thompson’s deep commitment to I-CAR was honored in 2023 when he received the Founder’s Award, a prestigious recognition for those who have demonstrated unwavering dedication to I-CAR’s mission. With over 31 years in the collision repair industry, Thompson’s expertise uniquely qualifies him to lead I-CAR into its next phase.
“I am both honored and excited to step into the CEO role at I-CAR,” Kyle Thompson said. “John has left an extraordinary legacy, and I’m committed to continuing the important work he leaves behind. I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated team, industry partners, and stakeholders to ensure that I-CAR remains a trusted leader in advancing consumer safety, technical education and related services, and serving our industry with excellence.”
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