March 22, 2018—Elite has announced that Jim Piraino, a past shop owner of 33 years and elite business development coach of 16 years, has been named the company’s first recipient of the Legacy Award.
Elite saw the need for the Legacy Award to give recognition to leaders who have elevated the auto repair industry through an unwavering commitment to ethics and professionalism, and through selfless contributions to other shop owners. The company says there could be no better choice for the first recipient of this award, as Jim Piraino spent 33 years running an award winning shop, while also giving back to the industry through his active involvement (President and board member of ASCCA Ventura Chapter, and ASA President’s Club member, for example), and giving back to his community through his shop’s contributions to countless charities and participation in several community organizations. After Piraino retired as a shop owner, he spent the next 16 years selflessly helping hundreds of shop owners reach their goals and live happier lives as an Elite business development coach.
One example of the legacy Jim has left can be found through his first client, Servando Orozco. When Servando started working with Jim, he was bringing in $36,000 a month and having trouble paying his bills. Within six months of teaming up with Jim his shop was bringing in $100,000 a month, and today he owns multiple locations that do over $4,000,000 in sales.
“We created this award for people exactly like Jim Piraino, who have put helping others ahead of themselves at every opportunity, and who have created a legacy that could never be forgotten in our industry. Jim was Elite’s first business development coach, and while I’m thankful that he now serves as an executive council member to help us continue improving, even if he no longer had any affiliation with Elite, his influence on our Coaching Program would always be felt through the profound impact he’s had on our coaches and on his clients. Jim changes every life he comes into contact with for the better, which is why it’s such an honor to call him a friend, and to give him this much-deserved award,” said Bob Cooper, President of Elite.
