RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Board of Directors of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) today announced the appointment of Steve Handschuh as the association’s new president and CEO, effective Tuesday, Oct. 1. On that same date, current President and CEO Bob McKenna will become president emeritus of MEMA until his retirement on Jan. 10, 2014. 
“I am honored to have been chosen to lead MEMA,” said Handschuh. “MEMA and its market segment associations, the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), the Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA) and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) have roots that stretch back nearly 110 years and have become the voice for the motor vehicle supplier industry. I look forward to continuing to work with these extraordinary members and a competent and dedicated staff committed to excellence.”
“Under Bob’s direction and leadership, MEMA has emerged as a world-class association,” said Joseph “Joe” McAleese, chairman of the MEMA Board of Directors and president and CEO of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC in Elyria, Ohio. “The MEMA board and the boards and members of its market segment associations sincerely thank Bob for his tireless efforts on behalf of the associations and wish him well as he embarks on this new phase of his life.”
“All segments of the motor vehicle industry rely on parts manufacturers for the creation and development of much of the technology and innovation that are the hallmark of the industry. MEMA and its market segment associations have given the supplier community a seat at the table with their customers and with federal and state government officials to influence the issues that affect their success,” McKenna said. “My nine years as MEMA president have been some of most rewarding in my long career in this great industry. MEMA has a great membership base and a tremendous staff to continue to lead the supplier community for many years to come. I have complete confidence that Steve will provide excellent leadership for the association.”
In his new role at MEMA, Handschuh will direct the operations of the association, its Washington, D.C., office and its market segment associations: AASA, HDMA, MERA and OESA. An automotive aftermarket industry veteran of more than 35 years, Handschuh worked for NAPA Auto Parts/Genuine Parts Co. for 18 years, including serving as NAPA president from 1998 to 2004. Handschuh later served as senior vice president, commercial, at AutoZone. He began his career as an outside salesman for Mighty Auto Parts, where he rose to the position of vice president, sales and marketing.
McKenna is retiring from MEMA after nearly 45 years working in the motor vehicle supplier industry. He joined MEMA in 2004 after a 34-year career at Atlanta-based Genuine Parts Co. (GPC). His other industry activities include serving on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Committee of 100,” and as board member of the American Highway Users Alliance and the Automotive Hall of Fame.
