Jason B. Bartanen

A Bit About Me

Born Into This Industry

I didn't choose the collision repair industry. I was born into it.

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My grandfather founded Bartanen's Auto Body in 1939. I grew up working alongside my dad during the summer in his small body shop before he became my high school automotive instructor and SkillsUSA (then VICA) Advisor. By the time I was old enough to make my own career choices, this industry was already in my blood.

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My Professional Journey

In 1996 I joined I-CAR, where I spent 23 years in roles ranging from Technical Writer to Technical Director, and finally as Director of Industry Technical Relations. During that time I led the development of several I-CAR courses, including a version of the steel welding test and its first vehicle-specific course. I also developed the first I-CAR sectioning test and oversaw development of dozens of other courses. I managed multi-million dollar training budgets, led a team of 25+ instructional designers, video and graphic personnel, and trainers. And I spent two decades building relationships with OEMs and tool, equipment, and product makers, I also fostered relationships with collision repair technicians and facilities across North America and beyond. My team led the development and launch of the I-CAR Repairability Technical Support (RTS) initiative and I oversaw delivery of OEM training programs for Audi, Jaguar/Land Rover, and General Motors (the aluminum intensive Corvette ZR1.)

After I-CAR, I spent six years at Collision Hub as Director of Industry Relations, deepening those relationships and working directly with schools, associations, and the shops and technicians I've always cared most about.

In May of 2025 I launched Collision ProAssist -  because after nearly 30 years in this industry, I knew exactly what was missing.

Why I Built This

Technicians are the most important people in the repair process. Nothing gets fixed without them. And yet they've always been the least supported; the last to know, the first to be blamed, and the hardest to reach when they have a question that actually matters. I built Collision ProAssist to change that. Not with another training program. Not with another certification. With something simpler and more powerful: access. Real access to the people who actually have the answers: OEM repairability engineers, tool, equipment, and product makers. And I'm available when a technician is standing in their stall at 2 PM on a Friday and doesn't know what to do next.

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That's BackBay. And it's the most important thing I've ever built.