Mark Claypool’s Bio

Mark Claypool, AMAM

President and CEO, Optima Worldwide/Automotive

Mark Claypool has worked in the fields of online web presence, marketing, occupational mentoring, training, workforce development and business education partnerships for nearly 40 years.  As an Automotive Management Institute (AMI) accredited master automotive manager (AMAM)he has founded four companies, two non-profits and one foundation in his career.  He is currently the President and CEO of Optima Worldwide Limited (of which Optima Automotiveis a division).  He was also 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, Optima Worldwide and Optima Automotive
• Former Contributing Editor and Monthly Columnist for BodyShop Business Magazine since 2000
• 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