BETHESDA, MD — The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) vice president of marketing and member relations, Rich White, has been promoted to the position of senior vice president, marketing and member relations. White has been with AAIA since it was established in 1999.
A native of Hamilton, N.Y., White oversees the marketing, public relations, media relations, publications, Web sites and most recently the Car Care Council and the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign.
Before joining AAIA, White served as communications consultant at Strat@comm, a Washington, D.C.-based strategic public relations firm specializing in transportation and automotive issues.
White spent 10 years heading the communications program at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), an automotive industry testing and certification organization. His responsibilities included public relations, publications, marketing, advertising, media relations and motor sports. Prior to joining ASE, he was director of public affairs at the national headquarters of the American Automobile Association (AAA).
Before entering the automotive association world, White was a reporter at newspapers in New York, New Mexico and Texas and lived and worked in West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer and training director.
“Since joining AAIA in 1999 when the association was founded, Rich has been instrumental in establishing the association’s high visibility, image and stature,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. “An example is his role as architect of the ‘Be Car Care Aware’ campaign and the driving force behind its success and momentum. He is well known and respected throughout the industry and the association community and clearly worthy of senior vice president status.”
In addition, AAIA has promoted three other staff veterans to new positions within its association:
Michael Barratt, CMP, senior director of meetings, has been promoted to the position of vice president, meetings. Barratt has been with AAIA for nine years. Barratt oversees all meetings and conferences for AAIA and its segments, committees and managed associations, including: Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS), Automotive Communication Council (ACC), Aftermarket eForum and Women’s Board. His responsibilities include meeting planning, site selection, contract negotiation and on-site logistics.
Dan Kaplan, senior director of market research, has been promoted to the position of vice president, market research. Kaplan has been with AAIA for more than five years. He oversees the association’s market research department and the production and marketing of its wide range of research reports and studies, including the flagship research publication, the “Aftermarket Factbook.” Kaplan serves as staff liaison to the Tool and Equipment segment and the AAIA Market Research Committee.
Dedra Selby, executive assistant and manager, human resources, has been promoted to the position of director, administration. Selby has been with the association for more than nine years. In her role, she manages all human resources activities for AAIA, assists the president and works closely with the AAIA Board of Directors and Executive Committee. She oversees all human resources functions, including payroll, employee benefits, recruitment and retention and staff policies and procedures. Selby also serves as office manager and oversees a number of the association’s administrative staff.
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