Latest news with #ChangingLanes
Business Wire
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Caliber Joins the U.S. Army PaYS Program, Expands Support for Active-Duty Service Members
LEWISVILLE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Caliber family of automotive repair and service brands, including Caliber Collision and Caliber Auto Glass, announced today that it has joined the Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) Program, a strategic partnership between the United States Army and a cross section of corporations, companies and public sector agencies. The program guarantees service members a job interview and possible employment after leaving the Army. Through its partnership with Caliber, soldiers now have a streamlined pathway to join the automotive repair industry. Caliber and representatives of the U.S. Army held a signing ceremony on April 3, 2025, to celebrate and demonstrate the strength of this newly established partnership. The ceremony was held at NCO Academy of Fort Liberty. Members of the United States Army, including Dan Dederick, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, and Brigadier General Charles W. Morrison were present alongside Caliber's senior management team. 'Caliber is proud to partner with the Army PaYS program and to expand on the support we provide to service members with employment opportunities in the automotive repair industry,' said David Dart, Chief People Officer of Caliber. 'Programs like Army PaYS and Caliber's innovative, no-cost training programs, Changing Lanes and the Technician Apprentice Program (TAP), are essential to provide working opportunities to those that have selflessly served our country. Service members are provided with a clear path forward as they transition to civilian life, which not only helps them but also provides Caliber with access to a steady flow of high-skilled, quality workers.' 'We are excited to welcome Caliber as a new PaYS partner. Active-duty service members who take part in the PaYS Program agree to fulfill their duty obligations with the opportunity to interview with five PaYS partners from companies like Caliber,' Antonio Johnson, PaYS Program Manager, said. Caliber will also continue to support military service members through Changing Lanes, exclusively created to help service members transition to civilian life while they are still in the military. Designed specifically for active-duty service members, Changing Lanes offers opportunities to match existing skillsets to the right career at many of Caliber's locations across 41 states. In the last 18 months, Caliber has celebrated the Changing Lanes graduation of 116 former military members – with all going on to secure full-time jobs at Caliber. Since its inception in 2016, Caliber has invested a total of $5 million in the Changing Lanes program. About Caliber Founded in 1997, the Caliber portfolio of brands has grown to more than 1,800 centers nationwide and features a full range of complementary automotive services, including Caliber Collision, the nation's largest auto collision repair provider across 41 states, and Caliber Auto Glass for glass repair and replacement. With the purpose of Restoring the Rhythm of Your Life ®, Caliber's more than 30,000 teammates are committed to getting customers back on the road safely - and back to the rhythm of their lives. Dedicated to providing an outstanding customer experience, Caliber continues to rank among the highest customer satisfaction scores in the industry. Learn more about Caliber at
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Michigan's Changing Lanes helps people rethink careers to chase dreams
DETROIT (FOX 2) - In Michigan, there's a growing emphasis on harnessing local talent, with the state's Department of Economic Development Corporation leading the charge. The "Changing Lanes" program is designed to equip individuals with the tools and resources needed to transition from their current career paths to pursuing their dreams. Daniel Hodges, CEO and Founder of Meknology, exemplifies the program's potential. A mechanical engineer from Michigan State University, Hodges had a successful career at a nuclear power plant and later at Whirlpool. However, he felt unfulfilled and decided to take a risk. "I realized that was called an entrepreneur," Hodges said. Risk-taking is not typically associated with engineering, but Hodges believes it can be advantageous. "You have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. As long as you are willing to do that and be honest and vulnerable... Holy smokes, you can win," he explained. Hodges returned to school and founded Meknology, a company focused on eliminating liquid waste—a venture rooted in Michigan. "We found brewers and distillers, people who make beers, wines, and liquors have an immediate and urgent need to take their leftover byproducts from making beer, whiskey, and wine, things that we love, and finding a way to sell that," Hodges said. Meknology transforms wastewater into high-quality dry grains and fertilizer, protecting the water table. "We turn that waste into not only high quality dry grains but high quality fertilizer.. As a dry fertilizer not a wet one so now you are protecting the water table," Hodges explained. His journey caught the attention of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and their Changing Lanes program and he was asked to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs. "Changing Lanes approached me about my success and my ability and desire to help other folks," Hodges said. "They speak the language of the folks who are their target audience. If you are talking to engineers and you want them to take a risk, there is a certain way to talk to convince them," he added. Changing Lanes is a 10-week program that teaches participants with a startup mindset how to launch their ventures, particularly in customer relations. "Taking opinions, desires, and needs and turning those into metrics... It's attractive to engineers because now I can put a box around it," Hodges explained. The program also emphasizes the importance of knowing when to pivot. "The first time you do it, not your most memorable moment, but as you do it more and more, you get better and better until it becomes natural. And that's what's called reacting and responding to customer needs, and that gives you a competitive advantage," Hodges said. Changing Lanes is helping Michigan residents turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality, one risk at a time. The Source FOX 2 interviewed Daniel Hodges about his experience with Changing Lanes.
