Automotive Hall of Fame Names New Board Members - aftermarketNews

Automotive Hall of Fame Names New Board Members

Five new members were added to the board of directors.

The Automotive Hall of Fame, the institution known for honoring and celebrating individuals and their impact in the automotive industry, is announcing five new members of its board of directors.

“We are thrilled to welcome this diverse set of industry champions to our board of directors,” said chair of the board, Jon Husby. “They are leaders in their respective areas of expertise and I’m confident they will bring a fresh and valuable perspective to the Hall of Fame. ”

New Members of the Board of Directors

Jim Baumbick, vice president, product development and quality, Ford

Baumbick has held a variety of roles core to the product development process throughout his 30 years at Ford Motor company. He is currently responsible for delivering quality across the enterprise, in addition to the development of all Ford Blue internal combustion engine, or ICE, and hybrid products. Baumbick also leads cycle planning, vehicle development engineering and product development operations for all of Ford. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Baumbick led Ford’s Project Apollo team in the company’s fight against the virus. He also led the team responsible for the all-new Ford Maverick compact pickup truck and pioneered and championed an agile product development process inspired by software development. In 2021, Baumbick received the Automotive Hall of Fame Industry Influencer award.

Nelda Connors, founder and CEO of Pine Grove Holdings, LLC

Connors has more than 25 years of international leadership experience in the automotive industry and has held executive and management positions at Chrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, Eaton Corporation, and Tyco International – positions that took her all over the world. Connors previously served on the BorgWarner board of directors. She currently sits on several corporate boards and serves as an advisor to the U.S. board of directors of Nissan. In 2011, Connors founded Pine Grove Holdings, LLC, a privately held investment company that acquires and operates small- to mid-size businesses with highly engineered products and services. Currently, Pine Grove Holdings has 11 portfolio companies and a $170 million valuation. As CEO of Pine Grove Holdings, Connors is one of just a few African American women running her own private investment firm. She has been recognized as one of the most influential African American women in business by Forbes, Savoy, and Black Enterprise. Nelda was a 2021 Automotive Hall of Fame Industry Influencer award recipient.

Fred Minturn, President and CEO of MSXI

Minturn is group chairman at MSX International. Under his leadership, the company has achieved double- digit growth year on year. Previously, he served as MSX’s president and CEO, as well as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Before forming MSXI, Minturn served as vice president and controller of the automotive operations group for Taylor, Michigan-based MascoTech, a predecessor company to MSXI.

For 40 years, Minturn has focused on developing global solutions for OEMs and continues to do so today. Minturn has completed more than 50 acquisitions, where he has focused on developing global solutions for OEMs. He serves on the board of directors for MSX International, The Detroit Athletic Club, Automotive Hall of Fame, The Children’s Foundation, The HELM at the Boll Life Center and Business Leaders for Michigan. He was selected for Staffing Industry Analyst’s Staffing 100 as one of the most influential people in the industry. Additionally, Minturn was recently inducted into the Smart Business Dealmakers Hall of Fame.

Bret Robyck, executive vice president of sales, NAPA

Bret has spent 30 years with NAPA. After graduating from Liberty University, Bret began working as a sales representative for NAPA in 1992. He went on to hold a variety of positions with the company including office manager, operations manager, general manager, division vice president, and senior vice president of sales. He has held the title of executive vice president of sales since 2022.

Ed Welburn, General Motors vice president of global design, retired, and CEO of Welburn Media Productions

As just the sixth head of design for General Motors and the first person ever to lead GM Design globally, Welburn is one of the most influential vehicle designers of his time, the institution states. A family trip to the 1958 Philadelphia International Auto Show ignited Welburn’s desire to become an automotive designer. After graduation from Howard University’s fine arts program where he studied sculpture and product design, he was hired as an associate designer at the Advanced Design Studios for General Motors. That position began an impressive 44-year career with the automaker, culminating in his appointment as the first head of Global Design for GM and the distinction of having been the highest-ranking African American in the global automotive industry. Welburn received the Distinguished Service Citation Award in 2009 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

“We feel incredibly fortunate to have these trusted advisors and industry experts helping to lead the Automotive Hall of Fame through its next chapter,” said Sarah Cook, president, Automotive Hall of Fame. “I am grateful for their continued commitment to the industry and look forward to their contributions to the board.” In addition to their appointments to the board, Connors and Welburn are featured in the Automotive Hall of Fame’s new exhibit “Achievement”, which highlights the contributions of African Americans to the automotive and mobility industries. More information on this celebration of Black innovation, invention, and leadership can be found at: https://www.automotivehalloffame.org/achievement/

You May Also Like

Stoneridge Appoints Chief Technology Officer

Most recently, Troy Cooprider was VP of global technology, responsible for leading product innovation, advanced engineering and technology strategy.

Stoneridge Appoints Chief Technology Officer

Stoneridge, Inc. announced the appointment of Troy Cooprider to the position of chief technology officer. Cooprider will set the company's strategic technology and product roadmaps, and support future innovation and growth through oversight of the global engineering function, the company said.

Most recently, he was vice president of global technology at Stoneridge, responsible for leading product innovation, advanced engineering and technology strategy.

MBE Group Promotes Gretchen Bennett to Account Manager

Bennett will support strategic initiatives for clients, including media relations, event management, content development and more.

MBE Group Promotes Gretchen Bennett to Account Manager
Advance Auto Parts Appoints Three New Independent Directors

With the appointments, the company’s board will temporarily expand to 12 directors.

Advance Auto Parts
Marelli Names EVP/President of Automotive Lighting & Sensing

Frank Huber assumed this role effective March 1.

Marelli Names EVP/President of Automotive Lighting & Sensing
Monro, Inc. Appoints Vice President Human Resources

Jack Heisman assumed this post, effective immediately, and will also oversee Monro’s corporate communications department.

Monro, Inc. Appoints Vice President Human Resources

Other Posts

Jacki Lutz Named Content Director at Auto Care Association

As the director of content, Lutz will be tasked with leading a cross-functional and multimedia content strategy, development and execution across all platforms.

Philippe Baudin Appointed COO of Amerigo International

He will concurrently hold the position of advisor to CEO Sylvain Abergel for relations with aftermarket leading suppliers.

BorgWarner Appoints Chief Accounting Officer

Amy Kulikowski fills the position, effective March 1.

BorgWarner Appoints Chief Accounting Officer
GSP Adds Snyder as Sr. Account Manager, Specialty Accounts

Greg Snyder will lead sales efforts for GSP in the e-commerce, ATV/UTV, OES and O’Reilly Auto Parts segments.

Greg-Snyder-GSP-North-America