EL PASO, Texas – MSD, manufacturers and marketers of ignition and EFI fuel system products, has named Joe Pando as drag racing/engine builder support manager.
Pando, who has worked at MSD since 1979, will be in charge of managing and supporting all MSD products as they relate to drag racing and engine builder needs. MSD, known since the formation of its multiple spark discharge technology, has established a new field support team whose purpose is to support the racing circuit and engine builder market. Pando will be the lead person to manage and support this new initiative.
"MSD was built on the products and services offered to professional and novice racing as well as to the engine builder market. Investing this level of talent allows us to continue supporting these critical markets for many years to come," said Manny Grijalva, vice president of marketing and sales at MSD/Racepak. "Joe is an industry icon who has proven his worth to the performance market for many years. His skills and abilities will be an asset to everyone involved."
Pando started at MSD in the manufacturing department almost 35 years ago. His responsibilities have progressively increased through his most recent position as technical service manager. He has been involved in the development and testing of several racing products that are industry standards today. Pando has served the global racing circuit quite extensively over the years and has been known to stay continuously on the road for weeks on end to support the needs of this segment.
He has participated in drag racing, driving schools and panel discussions as an industry expert in his field.
MSD also has named Erik Brock as product manager. Brock, who has worked at MSD since 2003, will be in charge of managing and marketing all EFI fuel system products and assist in the development of new products. MSD has developed a new product management structure to support the ongoing global growth of this category, and Brock will be one of the driving forces as part of this newly developed team of product managers.
Brock started at MSD in the engineering department to help develop the sports compact market. His abilities and skills allowed for increased responsibilities in the marketing department and as part of the event marketing group. Brock became a car enthusiast at the age of 15 and by 20 had built a 9-second nitrous-powered street/strip car. Years of auto shop, internships and work experience in speed shops rapidly increased his skills and desire for creating high performance in virtually any vehicle.
Prior to joining MSD, Brock worked at local speed shops and was an instructor at Western Technical College. He has participated at some level in drag racing, sand drags, nitrous streetcars and heads up turbo events.
In addition, MSD has named Silver Gomez as product manager. Gomez, who has worked at MSD for 16 years, will be in charge of managing and marketing all ignition system products. Gomez also will be one of the driving forces as part of the company’s newly developed team of product managers. He is an avid car enthusiast and attends as many NHRA, IHRA, NASCAR and other car enthusiast events as his schedule allows.
Gomez started at MSD as a customer service technician and has held various positions of increasing responsibility including work in R&D, powersports business development, product training and most recently the management of the company’s event marketing trailer program. Prior to joining MSD, Gomez worked as a diagnostic technician for Firestone/Bridgestone. Gomez graduated from Universal Technical Institute with a certificate in General Automotive.
"The additional focus of dedicated product managers will allow us to continue building on our market-leading position, assist in further product development and lay the foundation for a stronger global presence," said Grijalva. "Erik’s and Silver’s related work history, acquired skills and understanding of what brought us to the forefront of our industry will benefit us greatly today and well into the future."
