by Amy Antenora
Managing Editor, aftermarketNews.com
LAS VEGAS — With what seemed like nearly the entire aftermarket industry gathered under one roof, what better place than AAPEX to introduce the new president of MEMA?
Yesterday at a press conference at AAPEX, immediate outgoing MEMA President and Past Chairman Scott Meyer introduced Bob McKenna as the new president of MEMA. McKenna, who has 35 years of aftermarket industry experience, comes to MEMA from Atlanta-based Genuine Parts Co. where he served as group vice president and chairman of the board for the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA). Under his leadership, NAPA strengthened its position as a leading distributor in the traditional automotive aftermarket.
At the press conference, McKenna provided an overview of the MEMA organization including its market segments – the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and the Original Equipment Manufacturers Association (OESA) — as well as its peer and product groups. He introduced new staff members that have joined the organization in recent months, including: Ann Wilson, new VP of government affairs, Tim Kraus, executive director of HDMA, Brett Hazelett, executive director of MEMA’s Management Services Group and Dan Pike, who has been named the new general manager of MEMA’s Financial Services Group. Pike replaces Dan Griffin, who plans to retire in December.
McKenna also gave an update on the major initiatives and programs on which MEMA is currently focusing. Among the biggest issues impacting MEMA members are Right to Repair and counterfeiting and intellectual property rights violations. McKenna outlined MEMA’s position on Right to Repair and provided information on the newly created Brand Protection Council that MEMA has organized to help manufacturers combat counterfeiting and intellectual property rights violations.
Asked about his goals for his future as president of the organization, McKenna said he wants to focus on solidifying MEMA’s position as a unified the voice for the industry. “MEMA needs to be the voice for manufacturers in the aftermarket, including original equipment, aftermarket and heavy-duty manufacturer,” McKenna said.
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