# Matt Ebert

> Matt Ebert is the founder and CEO of Crash Champions, the U.S. collision repair business he started with a partner as New Lenox Auto Body in 1999. A former collision repair technician, he expanded the business through acquisitions and private equity partnerships, including the 2022 Service King combination. He advocates for skilled-trades careers and hosts PodCrash, launched in June 2025.

- **Role:** Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Crash Champions
- **Organizations:** Crash Champions, New Lenox Auto Body, PodCrash
- **Known for:** Founded and expanded Crash Champions from one repair center into a national network of more than 650 locations., Led the organization through the 2022 combination with Service King and investment by Clearlake., 2022 BodyShop Business Multi-Shop Executive of the Year.

## Career timeline

- **1989** — At age 16, learned to repair his damaged car with help from a local technician; continued working on other cars.
- **1999** — Opened New Lenox Auto Body with a business partner in New Lenox, Illinois.
- **2014** — Bought out his partner and began expanding; the business adopted the Crash Champions name.
- **2019** — By year-end, operated 13 shops; took on A&M Capital as a private equity investor.
- **2020** — Expanded beyond Chicago, including the acquisition of Pacific Elite in Southern California.
- **2021** — Acquired Signature Collision Centers; company history records 175 locations at year-end.
- **2022** — Received Clearlake investment and combined with Service King; won BodyShop Business Multi-Shop Executive of the Year.
- **2023** — Named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Midwest award winner.
- **2025** — Launched PodCrash on June 3; company served more than 650 locations in 38 states.
- **2026** — Continued advocating for skilled trades in interviews, including Mike Rowe’s The Way I Heard It.

## Achievements

- Founded and expanded Crash Champions from one repair center into a national network of more than 650 locations.
- Led the organization through the 2022 combination with Service King and investment by Clearlake.
- 2022 BodyShop Business Multi-Shop Executive of the Year.
- 2023 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Midwest award winner.
- Launched PodCrash in June 2025 with Daymond John among the opening guests.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Crash Champions reported 304 Associate Service Advisor Program graduates; three had advanced to general manager.
- **2026-07** — Crash Champions reported 59 STEP apprenticeship graduates in 2026, nearly 200 active apprentices, and 86% retention among graduates.
- **2026-04** — Appeared on Mike Rowe’s The Way I Heard It, episode 480; Rowe published his account on April 28.

## Links

- Website: https://mattebert.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/MattEbertCC
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKFrXxoAGWBEsr3qT-AxTrA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattEbertCC/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattebertcc

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/matt-ebert
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-20