AAIA’s Aaron Lowe Shares the History and How-to’s for its Annual Legislative Summit
Our latest Executive Interview features Aaron Lowe, vice president of government affairs for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association. On March 1 and 2, more than 200 aftermarket executives will gather in our nation’s capitol for the 2005 Aftermarket Legislative Summit. The annual event gives representatives of the aftermarket the opportunity to provide policymakers with the information they need to make educated and informed decisions about issues that impact the aftermarket. Major issues to be highlighted during this year’s Summit include: The Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act; association health plans; anti-counterfeiting; and asbestos litigation reform legislation. Lowe recently shared with us some history about this industry-critical event and how you can get involved.
The Top Ten Newsmakers of 2004
For the first time ever, Counterman magazine and aftermarketNews.com bring you The Top 10 Newsmakers of the Year. Our editorial team took a look at some of this industry’s most influential leaders and selected the 10 we believe have had a direct impact on the success of the aftermarket in 2004. Beyond that, we believe these individuals have helped set the stage for an even more productive future for our industry.
Dana Elects Retired Deloitte & Touche Vice Chairman to Board of Directors
Richard Gabrys, retired vice chairman of Deloitte & Touche LLP, has been elected to the Dana Corp. board of directors. A long-time executive of Deloitte & Touche, Gabrys has more than four decades of experience in public accounting including extensive service to a variety of publicly held companies in the automotive manufacturing, financial services, and healthcare industries.
Delphi Makes Organizational Changes in Aftermarket Unit
Delphi has announced organizational changes in its Delphi Product & Service Solutions division, the company’s aftermarket and consumer products division. Russell W. H. Bailey, managing director of Delphi Integrated Service Solutions, a business unit of Delphi Product & Service Solutions, is retiring after more than 36 years in the industry. Mark Theriot, currently director of global service technologies, will succeed Bailey in this role, in addition to maintaining his current responsibilities. Under the new organizational structure, Theriot will have full global responsibility for executing Delphi’s service strategy and vision.
NHTSA Administrator to Join RMA in December
The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) has announced that Scott Brenner will join the trade group in early December as vice president of government affairs. Brenner currently serves as associate administrator for external affairs with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) where he is responsible for the content and conduct of the agency’s communications with Congress, Federal and State agencies; media and stakeholders.
Stride Tool Names New Board Member
Stride Tool Inc., a designer and manufacturer of specialty hand tools, has announced the appointment of automotive industry veteran Paul Baffico to its board of directors.
Rod Enlow Joins CCAR as Director of Industry Relations
Rod Enlow has joined the Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR) to assist in improving environmental and safety compliance in the automotive repair industry. Enlow’s appointment as director of industry relations was announced by Robert Stewart, CCAR President.
AutoZone Announces Organizational Changes
AutoZone has announced a number of organizational changes this week. Among the new appointments, veteran retail executive Jim Shea has been hired to serve as executive vice president, merchandising and marketing. Most recently, Shea served as the CEO of Party City. He previously held senior level positions with companies such as Lechter’s Housewares, Kaufmann’s Department Stores, Lechmere, Eddie Bauer and Dayton Hudson. Shea started his career with General Mills.
ThyssenKrupp Budd Promotes Robert Soulliere as Sector Chief
ThyssenKrupp Budd has announced several new executive management appointments and retirements at the company’s corporate headquarters. Robert Soulliere has been named president of the company’s Body Stamping & Plastic Sector. He replaces Richard Urso, who is retiring after 39 years of service. Also retiring from ThyssenKrupp Budd is Charles Davis, corporate vice president, marketing and sales.
MEMA Names Industry Veteran Bob McKenna as its New President
The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) has named Bob McKenna as its new president and CEO. The appointment is effective October 1. McKenna, who has 35 years of aftermarket industry experience, comes to MEMA from Atlanta-based Genuine Parts Company (GPC) where he served as group vice president and chairman of the board for the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA).