RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Industry veteran Bill Long has accepted the position of executive vice president of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), effective Monday, June 4.
“Bill has served the automotive aftermarket with distinction, as evidenced by the many awards and recognitions he has garnered through the years, including the prestigious MEMA Triangle Award,” said Steve Handschuh, president and COO of AASA. “We are very pleased to have Bill joining our team. He is an experienced industry veteran and will be an asset as we continue to enhance value to AASA members.”
Long will report directly to Handschuh and will assist in the general oversight of all the association’s organizational management. He will work with AASA members on critical business issues and help provide a stronger, unified voice for aftermarket suppliers.
Currently, Long is a managing partner of BC Partners LLC, providing business improvement strategies, global competitiveness, brand relevance development, marketing programs and leadership services.
Most recently, he was executive vice president, North American operations and officer for Proliance International Inc. He began his aftermarket career at Echlin, first as a field sales manager and then was promoted through a series of positions of increasing responsibility. After Dana acquired Echlin, Long served as vice president and general manager of the Dana Engine Management Division. He was then recruited by the Indy Racing League where he served as vice president of marketing prior to joining Proliance International.
In addition to the MEMA Triangle Award, Long has earned several prestigious industry awards. He received Northwood University’s Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award in 2000, recognizing both his work with federal lawmakers and technical experts on issues concerning the Clean Air Act and on-board auto diagnostics. Long was honored with the Jack Arute Sr. Excellence in Motorsports Award in 2001 for his contribution and dedication to the motorsports industry.
