CHICAGO — Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) founder and chairman emeritus Mort Schwartz recently announced the appointment of Dave Caracci as the new chairman of the symposium. Caracci is president of Caracci Aftermarket Strategies and past chairman of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). In addition, he is the current chairman of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.

With an associate’s degree from the Miami/Dade community college and a bachelor’s degree in business from Northwood University, Caracci has spent his automotive career as a fierce competitor with an emphasis on learning to succeed and win in competitive environments like the automotive aftermarket. After designing and building Formula racing cars and engines with which he and his team won state and national championships, Caracci moved his competitive focus to the automotive aftermarket in 1976.

Caracci spent eight years with Dana Corporation’s Aftermarket Distribution Sales division in various positions, including marketing manager and general sales manager, and later joined SafeGuard Engine Parts as vice president/general manager for several years. After that, Caracci moved to ROL Manufacturing America in 1987. In his last position, he was with Robert Bosch Corporation, where he served as vice president, sales – national accounts.

Caracci’s industry experience includes service as past president of the National Engine Parts Manufacturers Association, past chairman of the Engine Repower Council, past president of the Automotive Sales Council, director on the board of the Car Care Council and past chairman of AAIA. Caracci continues to teach classes for the Northwood University undergraduate program and also serves as a contributor to Counterman magazine.

GAAS 2008 is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 20-21, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago. For further details, visit www.globalsymposium.org.