SMYRNA, Del. — Bud Center Jr. is the new Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) administrator, bringing more than 24 years of automotive industry experience to the organization. Center was hired as an independent contractor to administer the DEG project and the operations of its Web site, which will include the review and correspondence to all inquiries submitted to the site, www.degweb.org.

Center was hired by the DEG’s joint operating committee (JOC), which is comprised of members of the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, the Automotive Service Association and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS). Center will report directly to the JOC.

Center started his career in the automotive industry more than 24 years ago as a technician, then spent several years on the insurance side of the collision repair industry before joining CCC where he played a key role in implementing and managing their Collision Center Connection program. He spent the last 10 years working for a large collision repair consolidator and the last eight years as a district manager responsible for multiple service centers.

“I believe that continuing to improve estimate quality and accuracy is one of the largest opportunities we have in the collision repair industry today,” Center says. “The DEG is a tremendous asset for end users to help them improve the quality and accuracy of their estimates. I am excited about this opportunity and believe my experience will allow me to pick up the important work that has already been started to ensure the continued growth and expansion of the DEG. While I plan to continue to be actively involved in other industry projects and organizations, my dedication and commitment to the DEG will be a full-time endeavor.”

Center replaces Aaron Schulenburg, who left the position in January to become executive director of SCRS.

“Bud Center is an excellent choice for the DEG Administrator position”, says Barry Dorn of the DEG JOC. “Bud is a highly respected individual with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the collision repair industry; he will do a great job.”

“I believe Bud will do a great job,” says Darrell Amberson of the CIC Database Task Force, “I think Bud’s experience will allow him to connect with the shops and make them comfortable with the DEG process. He’s walked in their shoes and understands the challenges they face.”

The DEG has processed more than 1,200 inquiries pertaining to estimating system data. Providing additional opportunities to interact with the information providers relative to the data found in their estimating platform products, the DEG has demonstrated value to end-users and other participants in the process, which is designed to promote data accuracy.

For more information about the DEG, if you have an inquiry regarding estimating data, or if your company is interested in becoming a sponsor of DEG, visit www.degweb.org.