RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Michael Cardone Jr., CEO of CARDONE Industries Inc., has been selected as the first chairman of the newly formed Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA), an affiliate association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). 
“Michael has been a driving force in the establishment of this new association, and we are pleased that he has accepted this new role with the organization,” said Bob McKenna, president and CEO of MEMA. “Michael’s insights and leadership will be invaluable to MERA during its early growth and development.”
The sole mission of the Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA), which was announced earlier this month at AAPEX in Las Vegas, is to help its members be more profitable, innovative and competitive on a global scale. MERA aims to advance the business interests of members supplying remanufactured motor vehicle components and related services by: providing a forum to address issues of common interest; serving as a resource for industry information and analysis; promoting the interests of the global remanufacturing community; and serving as a voice and positive change agent for the industry.
Other members of the MERA Board of Directors, appointed at the recent MEMA board meeting, are:
• David Coolidge, executive vice president, Americas, global automotive aftermarket division, Bosch Group
• Selwyn Joffe, president, chairman and CEO, Motorcar Parts of America
• Steve Mance, vice president and general manager, Bendix CVS
• Bob McKenna, president and CEO, MEMA
• David Overbeeke, president, global brake and chassis, Affinia Group Inc.
• Mark Shasteen, vice president global service and engineering, Delphi Corp.
• Jack Vollbrecht, senior vice president, business development, Remy Power Products
• Doug Wolma, general manager, remanufacturing, ArvinMeritor
The association said additional board members will be appointed soon, representing leading remanufacturing companies. In addition, the selection of a staff executive to direct day-to-day operations also will be announced in the near future.
MERA will concentrate on five areas of strategic focus: representation of remanufacturers; legislative and regulatory advocacy; vital market research and analysis; technology and data leadership; and member engagement through collaboration, networking and education. Future association activities include the launch of its website and publication of a remanufacturing environmental and economic market research and analysis report.
