Rick Wood is automotive operations professional with experience in insurance company relations, technical repair knowledge in vehicle systems, and strong communications skills. Rick is the third generation in the Family business, and 2nd ever C.E.O, with Don Wood, of Cooks Collision Inc. in California, with over 38 years of auto collision industry knowledge.
Rick started working in the collision business for his father Bob while he was in Junior High School. He graduated from Livermore High School in 1978. When Bob bought Cooks Collision in 1979, Rick was a freshman in college at California State University Chico; he was there from 79’-81’. Rick began working for Cooks Collision full time in 1981, where he has worked in all positions from the ground floor, to the office, to managing shops and where he is today.
In the late 90′s Rick and his brother Don wrote their first business plan and decided to take over the Family business, and grow Cooks Collision throughout California. Along the way, Rick has been privileged to hire great employees who have helped him continue to grow and refine his business model.
Today, Cooks Collision has 37 locations with 800 devoted employees, and many invaluable long-term business relationships. Cooks Collision is the largest family-owned collision repair company in the country, and is in the 4th generation of Wood’s actively working in family business. Rick’s daughter Amanda Van Puffelen, and his son Matthew Wood are both Area Managers for the business.