From MEMA Industry News
DURHAM, NC — James J. “Jim” Conner III, retired vice president of MEMA, passed away Dec. 2 in Durham, NC, succumbing to a rare blood disease he had battled for nearly two years.
Conner served members of MEMA for 23 years before retiring in June 2004. He joined MEMA in 1976 as director of member services. He assumed his position as vice president in 1985.
“His accomplishments span this industry,” said Bob McKenna, president and CEO of MEMA. “He had a vast knowledge of and expertise in the industry and helped lead our association with his contacts in both industry and association management.”
One of the key accomplishments of Conner’s career at MEMA was the establishment of the association’s heavy duty market segment association, the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) in 1983. Within HDMA, he initiated the Heavy Duty Dialogue and HDMA Breakfast & Briefing, now two well-known and respected industry events.
Conner developed many of the association’s educational programs. He served on the marketing committee of the University of the Aftermarket and the planning committee for Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS). Proceeds from GAAS – now in its 11th year – have funded more than $1million in scholarships to more than 1,000 college or vocational school students planning aftermarket careers.
Conner established the MEMA Japanese Vehicle Parts Catalog Program, a successful program now in its 14th year of operation. He also served as managing director of the Overseas Automotive Council (OAC), MEMA’s global export association.
He was honored for his efforts with two of the industry’s highest honors, the Northwood Education Award in 1999 and the OAC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.
A Marine veteran with Southeast Asia service, Conner earned a B.A. in journalism from San Diego State University. He attended the Medill Graduate School of Journalism at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, and earned his MBA from Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN.
Conner is survived by his wife, Rita; sons Jim IV of Tampa, FL, and Jason of Durham, and granddaughter Leah. The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Conner’s memory to: the Duke Cancer Center, Adult Bone Marrow Clinic, DUMC, Box 3828, Durham NC 27710. For more information about donations to the Duke Cancer Center, contact Judy Smith at Duke, 919-667-2600.
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