Lakeland

 

 

 

 

 

 

1453 E. Gary Road
Lakeland FL, 33801
863-688-5577 / Toll Free 800-262-8025
Fax 863-687-2277
8:00am to 5:00pm – Monday thru Friday
cparker@bensps.com
Serving: Polk, Hillsborough &
Pasco counties

The Lakeland store was purchased in 2007, formerly named C.A.R.S.  But the purchase has little to do with their local reputation – this location has actually been open since 1960!  Throw in the service reputation of Ben’s Paint Supply and Lakeland is “armed” like never before. Their 8-person sales team stands ready to serve.  Franklin Leggett serves as account manager and has been in the PBE supply business since 2004.  Charlie Parker serves as store manager and is supported by 6 team members, 3 of whom are route salespersons as well as delivery specialists.

Becoming a Ben’s store has opened a new world of opportunity for them and their customers, as they now have access to many other paint systems beyond just automotive.  Industrial, marine, aircraft and scenic paint systems are now added to the already extensive line of PPG automotive paints.  Not all of these are mixed at this location, but all are readily available through the Ben’s delivery network in north and central Florida, most of the time the next day!   In addition, they can now take advantage of the services of Ricky Reyes, our industrial account specialist, focusing on CPC, Amercoat and Matthews.  Give them a call – they are always glad to help.

PPG Paint lines mixed at this location: Global Deltron Essential Shopline Matthews Standard – Satin Other SEM

Team Members

Charlie Parker cparker@bensps.com	Charlie currently serves as the manager of our Orlando, Kissimmee and Lakeland stores. In 2013 he was promoted to serve as Regional Manager to include those stores plus Longwood.  A Florida native born in Daytona Beach, he started with Ben’s in 1978 as a delivery driver. He became the manager of our Deland store when it opened in 1983. In 2001, he was offered the challenge of managing our Orlando store and has helped it grow to one of our premier locations.  In 2008 he gained the added responsibility of overseeing the Kissimmee store and in 2011 the Lakeland store, so on any given day you may find him traveling.  He’s an award winner, having received the Ben’s Award for Leadership in both 2002 & 2008, the Pursuit of Excellence Award in 2005, and the inaugural Ben Kimball Legacy Award in 2009.  In 2013, he received the Core Value Award.  Charlie has a daughter that attends college at USF in Tampa. He is a big NASCAR fan and enjoys tennis, biking, disc golf and walking. He is continually dedicated to customer service and the success of Ben’s as a whole.
Franklin Leggett fleggett@bensps.com 863-370-6145	Although Franklin has been in the paint business since 2005, he has served the Lakeland area much longer, having been born there and graduated from Lakeland High School.  He worked in his family’s carpet business for 15 years after that and then sold flooring for another firm before going to C.A.R.S.  He’s married, has three sons, one daughter and three grandchildren.   Franklin serves as an outside salesman for us and is always ready and willing to help his customers.  In 2009, he received the Ben’s Pursuit of Excellence Award and in 2012, the Ben Kimball Legac y award.
Johnny Johnson jjohnson@bensps.com 863-255-1622	Johnny joined the Ben’s team in Sept. 2014 and assists Franklin as an outside salesperson in the Lakeland area, as well as serving in the capacity of tech rep for most of our stores.  Originally from upstate New York, he has been in the collision industry since 1979.  He joined us at Ben’s after serving 7 years as a territory manager with English Color Supply in Texas.   Johnny enjoys the comradery of his co-workers and “waking up every day to make a difference”.  Outside work he spends time salt water fishing.
Sally Crabtree	You’ve heard of army brats?  Well, Sally could be called a “body shop brat”, having grown up in the shadow of her dad and his shop.  He purchased all his materials from C.A.R.S. and so it seemed only natural that she would be offered a job there.  She began as a paint mixer in 1983, then moved to driver and then counter sales.  After that she served an incredible 24 years as an outside sales rep until the Winter Haven and Lakeland stores merged.  She now serves as a route salesperson/driver.
Claire Craig ccraig@bensps.com	Claire began her career in the automotive paint supply business in 1994 as a delivery driver.  In 1995, she turned to counter sales and learned color matching.  She survived several ownership changes of her original employer before moving on to another in 1998.  Then in 2000 she joined the C.A.R.S. team.  She worked the delivery department there for 3 years and then returned to the counter and paint mixing.  Claire is certified in PPG Global and CPC training.
Flint Christiansen	Flint serves as a route driver/salesman for Lakeland.  He has been in the paint business since 2001.  He is dedicated to his career and loves the work.  As well he is always looking for ways to improve and provide the best possible service to his customers.
Chris Limback	Chris started with C.A.R.S in 2007, just prior to the Ben’s acquisition.  He serves as a route salesman for the area and in 2009 received the award for Distribution Specialist of the Year.  Originally from Miami, he is fan of Miami sports.  Chris is the proud father of 3 children, two girls and one boy.