RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – Charles "Charley" Johnson, president, CEO and director of Proliance International in New Haven, CT, has been elected 2007-2008 chairman of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Board of Directors.

Johnson joined Proliance in March 2001. Proliance International is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket heat exchange and temperature control products for automotive and heavy-duty applications serving North America, Central America and Europe.

Johnson’s prior experience includes both private and public companies serving aftermarket and original equipment transportation market segments. Prior to joining Proliance, he was president, CEO and director of the privately-owned Canadian General Tower Ltd., a producer of flexible polymer films and laminated cover stock for the North American automotive interior industry and other markets. His experiences during his 38-year career include the manufacturing and marketing of a variety of products used by transportation and related markets.

Johnson is a graduate of The University of Virginia, with a B.S. degree in commerce. He has served in a number of industry association and professional roles, including vice chairman of the board, executive committee member and audit committee member of MEMA. He also served as the 2003 and 2004 chairman of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) market segment of MEMA, cabinet leader in the 2002 New Haven United Way Campaign, chairman of the Kentucky State Chamber of Commerce, director of Delta Dental of Kentucky, director of the Grand River Conservation Authority Foundation and environmental co-chairman for the Automotive Industry Joint Government Action Committee, among others.

Other MEMA board officers include:

• Vice chairman – Terry McCormack, president and director, Affinia Group

• Vice chairman – James McElya, CEO, president and director, Cooper Standard Automotive

• Treasurer – Eugene Ezzell, chairman and CEO, Mikronite Automotive Technologies

Al Stecklein, group president, worldwide aftermarket division, The Gates Corp., will remain on the board as immediate past chairman.

New members of the board are:

• Terrance "Terry" Keating, CEO and chairman, Accuride Corp., and representative of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA)

• Gordon Ulsh, president, CEO and director, Exide Technologies

• Dennis Welvaert, president, global automotive aftermarket, Dayco Products, and AASA chairman

Directors continuing to serve on the board include:

• Michael Cardone Jr., chairman and CEO, CARDONE Industries Inc., and representative of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA)

• Robert Devenney, senior vice president, Danaher Corp., Professional Tool Group

• Joseph McAleese, president and CEO, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems and HDMA chairman

• Robert "Bob" McKenna, president and CEO of MEMA

• James Orchard, COO, Noble International and chairman of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA)

• Francisco "Frank" OrdoÑez, president, Delphi Product and Service Solutions and vice president, Delphi Corp.

• Edward Zimmer, president and CEO, ECCO Group

For more information about MEMA, go to: www.mema.org.