Mark Claypool Named Executive Director of the Automotive Management Institute (AMi)

Mark Claypool

Mark Claypool, AMAM, has been named the new Executive Director of the Automotive Management Institute (AMi). Claypool, recently retired as the President of web marketing agency Optima Automotive and was also formerly the VP of Operations at VeriFacts, as well as the Executive Director of the National Auto Body Council and the Collision Repair Education Foundation. Claypool took the reins of the Ami on January 2nd, 2025. Claypool was also co-founder of the Collision Industry Foundation and the Women’s Industry Network (WIN). Claypool’s responsibilities will include oversight of all organizational operations, infrastructures, marketing, sales, industry relationships, curriculum framework and delivery, course approvals and processing.

“The AMi Board of Trustees and the ASA Board of Directors searched for the best possible fit to fill the AMi Executive Director role and we know we have found that perfect fit with Mark Claypool due to his professional background and skills. We are so happy he said YES!”, commented Russell McCloud, AMi Board of Trustees Chairman.

“I am very humbled by the outreach of the AMi Board to see if I would consider leading the AMi,” said Claypool. “When I handed over my company, Optima Automotive, to Tyler Claypool I said I would never us the word “retire”, I prefer the term “re-wire” and that’s exactly what this opportunity with the AMi will be for me. I have always been an ardent supporter of training and this is a natural fit for my experience and skill sets. I am so looking forward to building upon the foundation that has been laid by those amazing leaders who served in this role before me, men who are great friends of mine to this very day.”

“As Chair of ASA, I knew we needed to bring in a professional who really understood the independent auto repair and collision shop training needs and has the vision and foresight to take AMi to the next level of performance to support our members and the entire community. We have found that professional with Mark Claypool,” responded Scott Benavidez, AMAM when asked about Mark’s appointment.

The Automotive Management Institute (AMi), offers numerous role-based designations, including Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM), Accredited Master Collision-Repair Estimator (AMCE) and Accredited Master Automotive Manager (AMAM) and many more, all which highlight the growing role soft skills and business management education play in the success of today’s automotive repair business. Students focus on multiple core categories of training and professional development: financial management, sales and marketing, operational management, HR and personnel development, IT management, risk management and leadership. AMi is a 501(C)(3) non-profit established in 1989 to answer the demand for continuing education and industry-accepted recognition programs. To date, AMi programs have attracted over 300,000 enrollments throughout North America. For further information, please contact AMi at 817-514-2914, visit their website, www.amionline.org or e-mail markc@amionline.org.