Leadership

Steve Horton

Chief Executive Officer

Steve Horton brings over 25 years of experience in the automotive and collision repair industry to his role as CEO of Open Road Collision. He began his career in North Texas as a service advisor and estimator, progressing through every operational role — from production and general management to regional leadership and executive oversight. Along the way, Steve has led large-scale teams and complex multi-market operations across the Southeast and Southwest, with responsibility for substantial revenue and organizational growth.

Steve’s leadership is deeply shaped by his hands-on experience and humble beginnings. Raised in a modest, hardworking home by parents who endured hardship and loss at a young age, Steve credits his values of grit, gratitude, and service to their example. He spent more than two decades on the road learning from different markets, systems, and leadership styles — all of which fuel his belief that the collision industry is built by people and must be led with purpose.

A graduate of the executive management program at UCLA’s Anderson School of Business, Steve combines operational discipline with strategic perspective. He brings a clear-eyed view of an industry that continues to evolve — becoming more complex, more technical, and more essential to the lives of customers and communities. Steve believes that leading in this environment requires thoughtful systems, continuous learning, and a deep commitment to the people doing the work every day.

At Open Road Collision, Steve is guiding the company through its next phase of strategic expansion — while staying rooted in the core belief that “On the Open Road, Everything is Possible” His mission is clear- to be the bridge that helps people and businesses move from where they are to where they want to be, creating generational opportunity through leadership, alignment, and operational excellence.

Martin Hornsby

Chief Financial Officer

Martin Hornsby has built a career marked by long tenures and meaningful impact. He’s led finance and operations for well-known brands like Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, Sport Clips, and most recently Smokey Mo’s BBQ. His leadership has been instrumental in scaling businesses, securing growth capital, and building teams that evolve from where they are to where they aspire to be. Martin brings a wealth of experience and a leadership style that aligns perfectly with our mission, vision, and values at Open Road Collision.

Martin is a Texas native and calls it home with his wife and three young children. Family is central to who he is, and his love for the outdoors, passed down through generations keeps him grounded. When he’s not helping his kids with baseball, you’ll find him spending time at his family’s pecan orchard.

His approach to leadership and business perfectly complements Open Road’s purpose- “To improve the lives of others”.

Brandon Hawkins

Chief Operating Officer

Brandon began his career in 1998 at B&R Body Shop, where he advanced to Managing Partner before the company’s acquisition by Caliber Collision in 2015. He went on to serve as Vice President of Operations at Caliber, overseeing more than 130 locations across multiple regions and earning a reputation for building strong teams and driving operational excellence. Prior to joining Open Road, Brandon was Chief Operating Officer of AutoTech Solutions, where he led the integration of acquisitions, implemented scalable systems, and drove performance beyond targets while supporting continued growth.

Eddie Hightower

Senior Vice President, HR

Eddie Hightower serves as Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Open Road Collision, bringing more than 30 years of executive leadership experience spanning human resources, legal, compliance, corporate governance, and organizational strategy. Eddie is responsible for leading Open Road's human resources strategy, including talent acquisition, teammate development, total rewards, employee relations, and organizational effectiveness. His leadership supports Open Road's continued commitment to investing in its people while building a culture that reflects the company's mission to improve the lives of others.

Prior to joining Open Road Collision, Eddie spent more than a decade with Caliber Holdings, where he held several senior leadership positions, including Senior Vice President of Human Resources and most recently Senior Vice President of Sustainability & Social Responsibility. During his tenure, he not only lead the organization's people strategy for more than 25,000 teammates across 1,500 locations in over 40 states, but also oversaw its environmental, social, governance (ESG), social responsibility, and enterprise risk initiatives.

Before Caliber, Eddie served as Chief Administrative Officer for Infinity HomeCare and held executive leadership roles with Daegis, Blockbuster, MHM Services, and Gevity HR. Throughout his career, he has led large-scale human resources organizations, guided transformational growth initiatives, and built high-performing teams across multiple industries.

A licensed attorney by background, Eddie began his career practicing corporate, employment, and litigation law before transitioning into executive leadership. His unique combination of legal expertise and people-focused leadership has enabled him to successfully navigate complex organizational challenges while fostering strong workplace cultures centered on accountability, engagement, and long-term growth.