APRA Past Chairman Richard Lovely was presented with APRA’s distinguished Honorary Member Award during the Opening Session of the 2006 International BIG R Show in Las Vegas.
Lovely is currently COO of GSP North America Co., Inc. in Spartanburg, SC. His firm specializes in servicing the automotive aftermarket with both remanufactured and new CV axles. Lovely has worked with GKN, RIT and now with GSP, to continue to master the technical challenges of CV technology.
Lovely has been a prominent member of APRA, volunteering his time as CV & Racks division chairman and regional director before joining the Executive Committee as secretary in 1997. Lovely served two terms (2001-02) as chairman of APRA following the events of 9-11-01 and the cancellation of APRA’s International BIG R Show. Lovely worked for a number of years with Ralph Frederick who served as APRA chairman in 1976. Lovely attributes much of his success to the mentoring of Frederick who would always say “keep your reputation clean and your customer satisfied” and you will have a chance to stay in business for the long-term. APRA is extremely proud to welcome Richard Lovely to this select group of industry leaders.
In addition, APRA presented Jerry Boles and Jens Lindholm with APRA Distinguished Service Awards, also during 2006 International BIG R Show in Las Vegas.
Boles is president of Boles Parts Supply in East Point, GA. His company was founded in 1964 and is one of the leading core suppliers serving the remanufacturing industry. Boles served several years on APRA’s board as a representative of the Core Suppliers Advisory Committee. He was also very instrumental in helping the remanufacturing industry grow over the last 40+ years by not only providing core product but also by providing sound business advice to people in the industry.
Lindholm is managing director of Holger Christiansen with headquarters in Esbjerg, Denmark, as well as a branch office in Atlanta, GA. His company is a leading global remanufacturer of starters and alternators. Lindholm received this award for his more than 10 years of serving on the APRA European Division Board of Directors. He was very instrumental in the successful development of the European Division. He also opened his plant in Denmark several times for tours during the APRA European Symposiums. His opinions and input were vital as the European Division grew and developed new programs and services for the European remanufacturing community.
