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Laura Gay is the founder of Consolidation Coach, which helps collision center owners obtain the maximum return for their business. In 2024, after realizing the collision space was in dire need of a place to buy, sell or trade all things collision, she developed collisionclassifieds.com.  She is also the founder of Collision Consulting of Florida, which provides full in-shop evaluations and services across the U.S. for all aspects of the collision business. her first automotive job was at a new car dealership, where she grew the collision center from $1.5 to $3.5 million in annual sales. After a stint in insurance, she and her former husband bought a body shop and tripled the annual sales in the first 18 months and grew sales to $5.5 million in less than three years. In 2011, she purchased a second shop and boosted sales from $750,000 to $3 million in the first year. In 2015, Laura sold both her shops to Caliber Collision.

Laura doesn’t just work in the collision industry—she’s part of its heartbeat! Whether she’s helping shops thrive or enjoying some well-earned time off, she’s always on the move. You’ll find her making memories with family, friends, and her beloved pups—especially if there’s a race to watch or a boat to jump on. Fast cars, open water, and great company? Now that’s her idea of a good time!

After graduating from Southern Miss with a degree in Accounting, Chad worked for a period for the state of Mississippi as well as in private industry. In 2000, opportunity presented itself to team up with his brother and buy out an existing automotive dealership body shop that was poised to close. He and his brother soon bought their second location and then a third. In 2021 they sold their business to Caliber Collision. After doing so, he knew he really wanted to somehow stay involved in the industry he loved and had a passion for. This led to joining the Consolidation Coach team in early 2022! At Consolidation Coach, he enjoys helping fellow shop owners navigate the blur of running a successful business and helping them gain financial independence!

In his spare time, you can find him working on his property, spending quality time with his wife of 23 years, two daughters or his two grandchildren (and there is a son-in-law mixed in there as well), or feeding his need for anything automotive related. Whether it is cleaning one of his (and his wife’s) corral of car’s, working on building the next Hot Rod, or just tinkering on something… he always has something in the works!

Russell Winston is a Mergers and Acquisitions coach based out of Starkville, Mississippi. After working his way up to combo-tech while attending and graduating college at Mississippi State University, he decided that the collision repair field was the career path for him. Russell worked for a total of 10 years in the Ford dealership body shop, serving as manager for 5 of those years. Russell purchased a small existing body shop in 2006, and then purchased a neighboring auto glass business in 2007. After years of growth and adding on, he expanded to a second body shop location, and finally in 2016 combined all three of those locations into a 20,000 square foot operation in the heart of Starkville. In 2017, Russell sold the glass business to a local individual, and in 2021 sold the body shop business to Joe Hudson Collision Center.

Russell enjoys working with people that are experiencing the same fears and emotions he had while buying and selling his businesses. In his free time he enjoys traveling with his wife and 3 children to see any location on the map they have not yet visited. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and working on his property.

Tori Jolly is the Director of Operations at Consolidation Coach.  Tori grew up helping her father with his excavation business.  At a very young age she was preparing invoicing, payables, payroll, Quick Book entries, and operations.  Tori came aboard in 2022 as an intern while she was attending Florida South Western State College studying Business.  She quickly became Laura’s right hand and often her left with administrative support.  She immersed herself in the business and has become one of the brightest most knowledgeable M and A professionals.  Tori has been promoted recently to the Director of Operation and is responsible for the daily operations of Consolidation Coach.  Tori graduates from Florida South Western State College Spring of 2025.

Tori loves animals, large and small.  She has four dogs, Boo-Boo (who is blind and chases a ball), Cinch, Cash, and Coco (her latest addition).  She is an avid barrel racer with her sweet loving horse, Lightning.  She also enjoys trail riding with her long time boyfriend Cole and their horse Chance.  She also plays step mom to Laura’s dogs as she travels for work quite a bit.

Brian lives in Indianapolis with his wife and 2 kids. After college, Brian started working for Cintas Uniforms, fell in love with the industry.  After years of working for Cintas, he decided to venture on his own, starting his own uniform company, then merging it into an existing uniform company that was going under.  After operating it for 4 years, the business was sold to Aramark.  Like Laura, Brian wanted to continue to help owners sell their business, and even know Brian is new to the body shop space, he knows the emotionally and struggles of finally selling his business.

Brian played college football and is passionate about all things football, he enjoys hanging at the lake and spending time with his family.  

Dyan Shepherd has spent over two decades as a finance and accounting professional in the collision repair industry.  She is passionate about providing strategic contributions to operators and executives at every level of the business. Dyan has served in an executive capacity with 3 of the largest and most recognizable multi shop operators in the industry, having had a 20-year career in finance.  She has experience working with all financial aspects of the business, including M&A, initial financial set up and organization, monthly closings, P&L development, charting GL accounts and dozens of other relevant areas.  She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Eastern Illinois University.

She is a proud mother of 3 beautiful children, and in her spare time enjoys traveling the world, and binge-watching Survivor!