SMYRNA, TN — Art Lottes, Leon Viars and Joe Bagwell have been named members of the Heritage Equity Group Executive Council. Heritage Equity Group owns Beck/Arnley, which it acquired in 2005. The group was formed by former Beck/Arnley senior management following the company’s sale from Affinia Group.
Together with Heritage Equity Group owners Max Dull, Patrick Greene and Richard Crawford, the newly formed Executive Council will seek out complementary acquisition opportunities.
Art Lottes is well known in the automotive aftermarket industry, having served as chairman of both AWDA and CARE. Until January 2006, Lottes served as president of CARQUEST, responsible for the supply chain, product management and pricing strategy. Prior to his role as president of CARQUEST, Lottes was president and owner of A.E. Lottes Company of St. Louis, MO.
Leon Viars’ automotive career began with Arvin (Maremont), as accounting manager, Exhaust Systems Division in 1969. With many promotions throughout his career, he became president of Arvin Replacement Products Division, Arvin executive vice-president and a member of the Office of the Chief Executive, retiring from that position in 1999.
Joe Bagwell’s career began as an accountant for Gabriel Shocks (Maremont). He was promoted to vice president controller for Worldparts in 1983. In 1987, Bagwell became vice president – Sales Administration for Worldparts and continues in that role for Beck/Arnley, as well as serving on the HEG Executive Council. In 2004, he received the prestigious AIA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Richard Crawford is the founder of the Crawford Group, which owns and operates businesses in the real estate, construction, manufacturing, development, and oil and gas sectors. Crawford acquired his first manufacturing business in 1988 and added 15 more manufacturers, growing revenues from $4.5 million to $650 million, and has also acquired companies in other business sectors. He has been named Michigan’s Entrepreneur of the Year and was recognized by the State of Michigan Legislature on two occasions. In 2005, Crawford became one of the majority owners of Heritage Equity Group.
Patrick Greene is owner/partner of CIGNET, which owns six manufacturing facilities internationally. Greene began his career in the automotive industry as a liaison engineer with Allied Signal in 1972. In 1975, he formed Patrick Greene Associates, an independent sales company representing major principals in the plastic molding, screw machine, stamping and tooling industries. Greene started Mold-Rite Tool in 1981. In 1997, along with Crawford, Greene purchased A.P.T.C. Plastics and later formed the CIGNET group of companies. In 2005, he became one of the majority owners of Heritage Equity Group. He currently serves as President & CEO of CIGNET and President of Heritage Equity Group
Max Dull began his aftermarket career in 1979 as the manager of an automotive repair facility and then general manager of an automotive warehouse distribution operation. In 1987, he joined T&N, Plc. Through acquisitions and promotions, Dull was named vice president of product management for the Dana Aftermarket Underhood Group, which included Echlin/Borg Warner, Beck/Arnley, WIX and Clevite. In 2004, he was promoted to vice president and general manager for Beck/Arnley. In 2005, Dull formed Heritage Equity Group as the parent company to purchase Beck/Arnley. He is currently a partner/owner of Heritage Equity Group, as well as chief executive officer of Heritage Equity Group and president and chief executive of Beck/Arnley.
For more information about Heritage Equity Group, visit: www.heritageequitygroup.com.
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