Ex- Law Enforcement leader making headway in business

Safety first. Headway Collision is now open at 3682 Washington Road in Martinez. If the owner’s name Scott Peebles sounds familiar, it’s because he just wrapped up a 32-plus-year career in key leadership positions with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department and the Marshal’s Department.

“I’ve always cared about taking care of people in their time of need. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial interest and like putting a team together,” he said from their second-floor conference room.

Peebles added Tracy Bryant (Left) who’s worked in management roles at several CSRA Collision shops and Julie Kelly as Peebles’ Chief Marketing Officer. Miss Kelly had an administrative position with Peebles at the Marshal’s Department and has 20 years of experience in different behind-the-scenes duties in law enforcement.

Bryant enjoys this operational role sharing his expertise and guidance as Peebles learns the “car business.” He says Headway Collision is opening with some unique business advantages.

“We take walk-ins and give estimates right away, and everything is in-house,“ Bryant said.

That means, if you have mechanical issues besides auto body fixes, Headway has an auto mechanic on staff to make repairs. Because the company is so new, there is no backlog to get back on the road vs. a longer than usual waiting period with other collision shops.

Headway Collision bought the 20,000-square-foot building on three acres and an adjacent three acres of land as an investment– to have more room to grow if necessary.

Miss Kelly is working on several projects to help Headway get involved in giving back to the community, including the 4th Annual Industrial Trade Career Expo and Workforce Showcase Competition on February 15th and 16th in Appling. She will be encouraging 9th to 12th graders to consider a lucrative career with Headway Collision when the time is right.

That’s all part of Peebles’ long-term plan to build the team and help the community in a different role than he had the last three decades.

“I genuinely hate it when people wreck their car and have a bad day. I want to make it better,” he said.