Okanagan College will celebrate the achievements of two of its most notable graduates under the age of 35 when it confers the 2009 Young Alumni Award on local entrepreneurs, Todd and Mark Regier. 

The Regier brothers own and operate Prestige Collision, a full-service automotive collision repair shop in Kelowna. They established the business in 2003 as a small start-up enterprise with a staff of two. At the time, Todd was 24 and Mark, just 22.

Todd & Mark Regier

In the ensuing six years the Regiers have increased their business ten-fold, building a strong reputation and making a name for themselves as high quality craftsmen with a customer service driven approach to business.

"It is a great honour for Mark and I to be selected for this award by the Alumni Association,” said Todd. “We are very thankful for the education and continued support from all of our instructors and the entire Okanagan College faculty."

Todd completed his Automotive Collision Repair apprenticeship training at Okanagan College in 2001 before earning a second red seal accreditation in Automotive Painting and Refinishing in 2003.

While his brother honed his technical skills and experience, Mark enrolled in the Okanagan School of Business. While working toward his Business Administration diploma, which he earned in 2004, Mark and Todd launched Prestige Collision.

As business partners, the Regiers’ complimentary skill sets have proven to be a dynamic and effective combination. Todd’s expertise in the technical aspects of the industry fused with Mark’s business savvy, have resulted in the steady growth of the business. Prestige Collision now employs 10 full-time staff, nine of whom are Okanagan College alumni.

“Todd is a well-rounded success story,” said Chris Burns, Chair of Okanagan College’s Automotive Collision Repair Department. “He dedicated his earlier years to become a high quality technician in two separate trades. He took a gamble and became a successful entrepreneur. Finally, and most importantly in my mind, he is supporting the same training system that helped to develop his skills years ago.”

Prestige Collision’s success created an opportunity for expansion in the summer of 2008 when the Regiers designed and built a larger location on Kirschner Road in Kelowna. The new shop features a state-of-the-art air recirculation system, skylights, and an environmentally friendly paint system and spray booth, among other sustainable technologies.  

“The Okanagan School of Business congratulates Mark Regier on being named Young Alumnus of 2009,” said Dr. Jayne Brooks, Dean of Business. “Mark is a great example of the calibre of our graduates and clearly demonstrates the work ethic, knowledge and expertise of a skilled entrepreneur.”

The Regiers’ selection as YAA-winners marks the first time the award has been co-conferred and the first time the award has been granted to a Trades alumnus.

“In less than six years since graduating, Todd and Mark have accomplished a great deal,” said Kara Kazimer, President OCAA. “ The Alumni Association is proud to recognize the Regiers as outstanding examples of the best of Okanagan College’s alumni.”

The Regiers will be honoured at a dinner reception this October alongside the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award winner, Launi Skinner, President and COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?.