DERIC KRIST
Founder, CEO

As a third-generation collision repair professional, my life and passion has been in the collision repair industry in one aspect or another. Though my life is centered on Christ and my family, my professional life goal is to continue to give back using my strengths, skills and knowledge to continue to improve the future of the industry.

​

I began working in the collision repair industry at the ripe old age of 16 as a body man’s helper. I worked hard and earned my way to managing a shop by the age of 20! After 19 years managing shops, I wanted to learn more and find ways to improve the industry, thus I founded The Automotive Team, a full service automotive concierge and specialty claims company where I became the first west coast certified Tesla independent appraiser.

​

After 6 years of consulting and appraising for shops all over the country, I had the opportunity to go to work for Mitchell International where I traveled the country consulting with repair shops, working trade shows and developing relationships with auto body associations like NABA, ABAT, KABA, etc. After working with Mitchell International for more than four years, I founded Kri-Tech Solutions, LLC providing software solutions to the collision repair industry.

​

My passion lies in collaborating with key opinion leaders to provide new ways to innovate and improve the industry through technology and automation. I continue to look for new opportunities as they present themselves and until then, I continue to engage in speaking opportunities and consulting with shops all over the country, in person & online, working with organizations such as, Mike Anderson 20 groups, BASF 20 groups, Keynote for AllData annual sales & service meeting, and Collision Repair Associations across the country.

​

I make my home in Canyon Lake, California with my wife, Jocelyn and my three daughters, Brookelyn, 18, Reagan, 11 and Adelyn (our surprise miracle baby, 6 mo. We enjoy spending time together on the lake with our wolf pack, Lila, Raider, Ember and Roo.