Mark Claypool has worked in the fields of online web presence, marketing, occupational mentoring, training, workforce development, nonprofit management and business education partnerships for over 40 years. As an Automotive Management Institute (AMI) accredited master automotive manager (AMAM) he has founded five companies, two nonprofits and one foundation in his career. He is currently the President and CEO of K-Quest Inc. (of which SOP MD is a division). Mark is also the Executive Director of AMi. In 2018 he was named AMI’s 2018 Training Provider of the Year.
Mr. Claypool has a degree in Education from the University of Illinois (where he was an All-American in track and field). His career includes the following:
· Founder, K-Quest Inc., SOP MD
· Executive Director of the Automotive Management Institute
· Founder, Optima Worldwide and Optima Automotive web marketing agency
· Contributing Editor and Monthly Columnist for BodyShop Business Magazine 2000-2020
· Director of Business Development, Metro Paint Supplies
· Vice President of Operations, VeriFacts Automotive
· Coordinator, CCAR Automotive Career Education Day
· Co-Founder (with Mike Anderson), SOP MD Standard Operating System
· Founder, Mentors at Work Apprenticeship system
· Co-Founder of the Collision Industry Foundation
· Executive Director, National Auto Body Council (NABC)
· Executive Director, I-CAR Education Foundation (now known as the Collision Repair Education Foundation)
· National Director of Development of SkillsUSA/VICA, team leader of Business/Education Partnerships team. Volunteer team leader for the USA World Team for the WorldSkills Championships 2002-2010
· Executive Director of the co-ed Career Exploring Division of the Boy Scouts of America in the Chicago area and Finance Director of the Detroit Area Council
Mr. Claypool consults in areas such as process and procedure development, web presence management, workforce development and apprenticeship and marketing.
