From technician to VP: Full circle career with Abra
In celebration of Abra’s 40th anniversary, learn about a technician who started his career at Abra, and is now a VP
Wayne Kelly has completed a full circle in his career by returning to Abra, the collision network where he started as a technician. As the Abra family of collision repair facilities celebrates their 40th anniversary, Kelly is now Abra’s VP of operations and development – and preparing for its next 40 years.
When Kelly started out as a technician in Minnesota, Abra was a fledgling brand. As it grew – and began franchising in 1987 – Kelly grew with them, running locations, managing operations, and recruiting new franchise owners.
As a member of the original Abra family, he took great pride seeing Abra evolve into a powerful brand in the collision repair industry.
“I was there for the very beginning, and to see what Abra has grown to today is incredible,” said Wayne. “It is truly a family of local owners and I’ve had relationships with them for four decades. Now, we see their sons and daughters leading the family businesses and continuing the generations of trusted collision repair.”
When Abra was acquired by Driven Brands in 2019, Kelly provided his experience and leadership through the transition and then shifted to support other collision repair brands in the Driven Brands portfolio, primarily CARSTAR. When he returned to his Abra family in early 2023, he found a network that was evolving and ready to grow, and a family that welcomed him back because he was “one of them” and understood their business like none other.
He said his return to Abra, and his longtime franchise family, is his crowning career achievement.
“What made Abra successful then – and still today – has been the focus on smart processes and high quality,” noted Wayne. “Abra has a 96 percent referral rate from customers because the Abra owners and managers treat customers well, deliver quality repairs and back up their work with not just a warranty, but also with their word.”
Abra’s future growth, according to Kelly, will come from improved operations, enhanced peer-to-peer leadership, expanded partnerships with auto dealership body shops, and new locations for current owners in key markets. He also credits Driven Brands for providing new levels of resources, purchasing power, operational expertise, and education that accelerate Abra’s opportunities.
“We have an incredible foundation of leadership among our Abra owners, and they have passed this mindset to the next generation, who are ready to continue the growth and success of our brand,” said Wayne. “My goal has always been to lead by example and look ahead at where we can go together. We have an exciting opportunity ahead for our next 40 years, and I’m proud to bleed Abra blue and guide them on that journey.”