Russell Thrall III

Russell Thrall III, a second-generation collision repairer, started out cleaning up in his father’s body shops, worked as a technician from 14 and was an assistant shop manager by 17. He joined Automotive Body Repair News in 1991 as technical editor, became senior editor in 1992 and edited Collision Repair Industry INSIGHT from 1993 to 2000. In 1999 he founded CollisionWeek and became its publisher and editor in chief. He served I-CAR and the Collision Repair Education Foundation as a volunteer and staff member, leading the foundation as executive director in 2007 and 2008. He chaired the Collision Industry Conference in 2009 and 2010 and was president of the National Auto Body Council. In 2010 he became the Hall’s volunteer administrator. In 2025 he was elected president of the 11,000+ member Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited board of directors.