Vehicles for Change Hires New Director of Detailing for the Center for Automotive Careers Program

Baltimore-based nonprofit, Vehicles for Change (VFC) welcomes Eric Leonard as the Director of Detailing for VFC’s Center for Automotive Careers, a program that provides training to unemployed and underemployed individuals so that they may gain employment within the automotive services industry.

As the Director of Detailing, Leonard is responsible for developing and maintaining the automotive detail training program of the Center for Automotive Careers. In addition to implementing curriculum, he will admit students to the program, connect with potential employers of graduates for job placement, and maintain communication with program graduates to ensure smooth transition into their new positions. Leonard replaces former Director of the Center for Automotive Careers, Phil Holmes, as Holmes transitions into another position focusing on a new facet of the program.

“Eric is an outstanding detail trainer with more than 20 years of experience,” said Phil Holmes, former Director of the Center for Automotive Careers. “He knows the industry and is nationally known for his work. He is a huge addition to Vehicles for Change.”

With advanced detail training from Meguiar’s, Malco and Auto Magic, Leonard brings deep knowledge of the auto detailing industry to his new position at VFC. Leonard has owned and operated Get the Details Auto Detailing for almost 20 years, and is also a Sales Trainer for auto dealer supplier, Dealergoodies. Leonard’s experience in auto detailing and training makes him the ideal candidate to lead the Center for Automotive Careers’ detailing program.

“I am looking forward to using my years of experience in the detailing field to significantly grow Vehicles for Change’s auto detailing training program,” said Leonard.

Launched in September 2013, the goal of Center for Automotive Careers is to train unemployed and underemployed individuals for jobs in automotive services. Students receive 280 hours of instruction over an eight week period that includes a paid apprenticeship with VFC. Since the program’s launch in September 2013, 36 students have been admitted, 24 have graduated, six have a paid apprenticeship at VFC and 13 have gained full-time employment. Two of the 13 graduates who are currently employed full-time have also received cars through VFC’s car award program.

Please direct all media inquiries and requests to Josie Hankey at 410-420-2001 or by email at Josie.Hankey@FallstonGroup.com.

About VFC
Vehicles for Change accepts and repairs donated cars and awards them to prequalified families for as little as $750, enabling low-income families to become self-sufficient. A nonprofit organization, VFC receives 99 percent of its car donations from the public. Since 1999, VFC has awarded more than 4,700 cars to low-income families, changing the lives of more than 16,400 people. Eligible families are referred to VFC through partnering social service type agencies. VFC car donors gain a substantial tax advantage that’s not available with most other charities. VFC is one of the few organizations in the country that makes it possible for donors to deduct the full fair market values of their car, because their donation is awarded to a low-income family.

For additional information about Vehicles for Change, or to donate a vehicle, visit www.vehiclesforchange.org or call 855-820-7990. Follow the organization on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vehiclesforchange and Twitter @vehicles4change, and explore their official hashtag “#VFCjourney.”