Meet WMABA Board Member Ron Maharaj

by Alana Quartuccio

WMABA has been serving auto body shops all throughout the Mid-Atlantic region for more than five decades.

The association relies heavily on those who are willing to put in their commitment, energy and experience to help lead the way in fighting the good fight for safe, proper repairs and consumer protection.

Recently, WMABA welcomed some new faces to its Board of Directors. Ron Maharaj (D&V Auto Body, Sterling; VA) is a career veteran who brings decades of experience and his passion for the industry to WMABA.

Maharaj has a strong commitment to safe and proper repairs and consumer protection. He was just 16 years old when he started washing cars for his parents’ (Dave and Vena – the business’ namesakes) shop. The family-owned and operated repair facility started out of a home garage roughly 40 years ago and grew into the successful operation it is known as today with two locations –  D&V Overland on Overland Drive D&V Masters on Trade W. Drive in Sterling, VA.

“We will be celebrating our 40th anniversary this August,” says Maharaj, who received the standard entrance into working for a family business. In addition to washing cars, he cleaned up around the shop and began to absorb all there was to know about it. After earning a business degree from George Mason University, he returned to D&V, where he began to focus on estimating. “Around that time was when computer estimating was introduced; we had just bought our first estimating system,” he recalls.

The business grew substantially out of the home garage leading to the need to open their first shop in a small 3,000 square foot building in 1986. Growth continued over the next few decades with eventual expansion including opening the Overland Drive location and the launch of a second location, which opened in 2018.

“We started to build a strong reputation with high-end vehicles, so we opened a second shop two miles down the road to differentiate from our everyday production,” Maharaj notes. “The second location caters solely to those luxury and exotic vehicles. I stayed with our Overland location, as the vehicles we focus on there are my forte; my brother, Kevin, is more experienced with the high-end vehicles.” 

“We are at the point now where we are able to work on the business, not in the business,” he adds. “We have been hiring and training new people and upgrading equipment. My strengths lie in estimating and researching OEM repair procedures, while my brother and our sister are more focused on finances and marketing.”

D&V Auto Body has been an active member of WMABA for at least 10 years. The business was the recipient of WMABA’s 2023 Most Improved Member Award for their participation with association events and commitment to OEM certifications and team growth.

Maharaj feels strongly about being part of WMABA’s community of repairers who share many of the same ideals. “It’s a good way to bounce ideas off like-minded people who do the same types of repairs and serve the same clientele. It’s very informative to be part of this group.” He also appreciates the many resources WMABA makes available to its members, and the affiliation with the Society of Collision Repair Specialists at the national level as well.

As Maharaj explains, there exists a need for solidarity among repair professionals. “A lot of people view other shops in their area as competition, but the advantage of going to a WMABA meeting is that you get to talk to other local body shop owners. We all have to contend with insurance companies. If we are not on the same front preaching the same philosophy, it won’t help build confidence so they can see that we are knowledgeable in what we do.”

Safe, proper repairs and consumer protection in the form of legislation are high on the priority list for Maharaj, especially in regard to legislation which currently favors the insurer. “The shops should be the ones to make the call on how a repair is done. We are the ones who repair cars and it feels like we are the powerless party in the whole equation. That’s where legislation has to come in to protect the consumer. They have to be able to decide where they want their vehicle fixed – at a facility that will repair the cars according to OEM procedures. The manufacturers’ guidelines should be what dictates repairs, not competitive rates or a rate based on what state regulations allow.”

WMABA has also been working to address low labor rates in the region. “We are one of the lowest paid areas. We have the highest traffic density in the nation and one of the lowest labor rates. It just doesn’t make sense.”

Another shared concern is the technician shortage. Maharaj champions WMABA’s action in trying to encourage younger folks into the field. “WMABA has really aligned with a lot of local schools, colleges and tech centers to try to inspire more individuals to pursue collision repair careers.”

Maharaj hopes to bring his experience and passion for the industry to the Board to help inspire more shops to focus on safety and customer service.

“There is a lot of corporate mentality in the industry today,” he says. “I hope to share some enlightenment that there are a lot of shops who are focused on the customer service aspect along with fixing cars right. I also hope to get involved on the education side, helping young technicians and managers evolve. Not just for our own gain but for the industry as a whole. Corporate shops are promoting people with little experience. They are making decisions based on numbers. We have to get back to a philosophy that is based on safety and customer service. The Board is made up of many experienced individuals so I also hope to absorb as much knowledge as I can while serving my time.”

Be sure to look for features on other WMABA Board members in subsequent issues.

Want more? Check out the July 2026 issue of Hammer & Dolly!