ASA Tire Systems Announces Personnel Changes
ASA Tire Systems announced a series of promotions and new hires.
More Details on the May 17 Right to Repair Hearing
Last week, aftermarket representatives convened on Capital Hill to offer their testimonies in the most recent hearing regarding H.R. 2048, the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act. The hearing was held before the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. Shortly after the hearing, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), widely known as the bill’s largest supporter, issued a press release with details of testimony from Aaron Lowe, AAIA’s vice president of government affairs. On the other side of the debate, the Automotive Service Association, which continues to encourage a non-legislative solution to the service information issue and opposes the bill, offered its own statements on the May 17 hearing.
Mark Iasiello Joins HDMA as Director, Member Development
Mark Iasiello has joined the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) in the newly created position of director, member development. HDMA is the heavy-duty market segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). Iasiello’s duties will include expansion of HDMA’s program and services to its members, and new member development. He also will lead the association’s heavy-duty aftermarket efforts, including serving as staff liaison to HDMA’s Heavy Duty Aftermarket Council and be one of the organizers of the annual Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week.
GM Faces Skeptics of its Positive Predictions: Stock Drops Day After Earnings Report Enthusiasm
General Motors Corp. has more convincing to do. A day after its stock price shot up more than 10 percent following the release of quarterly earnings that exceeded estimates, the shares retreated nearly 4 percent. Friday’s drop simply could have been a matter of investors taking profit on GM’s stock after Thursday’s sharp increase, but it is clear not everyone is certain GM has turned the corner.
Activant Sold to Two Private Equity Firms
Activant Solutions has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by two private equity investment firms, Hellman & Friedman and Thoma Cressey Equity Partners. The firms will acquire Activant Solutions Holdings Inc. and all its subsidiaries from HM Capital Partners LLC. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Activant declined to comment on the sale. Those involved in the deal are prohibited from commenting, according to the 8-K filing. However, one recent news report indicated that 100 percent of the company, as well as the management team, were included in the deal.
Vaughn Barfield Named Operations Manager at Beck/Arnley’s New Canadian Facility
Vaughn Barfield has been named operations manager at Beck/Arnley’s new Canadian warehouse in Mississauga, Ontario. The appointment was announced by Vince McMahon, vice president of operations. Barfield has more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry. He worked for Pacer Industries in Pensacola, FL, for 14 years in various positions ranging from warehouse duties to computer programming. In 2000, he joined the Beck/Arnley Dana facility in Nashville, TN, as a process leader.
NASCAR Restructures Executive Management Team
NASCAR has announced multiple management changes, effective immediately, that the association says will position it to continue its strong growth and more efficiently manage business decisions and communications throughout the company and the industry. As part of the restructuring, Paul Brooks will be taking on additional responsibilities as senior vice president and will continue his role as president of NASCAR Broadcasting and NASCAR Digital Entertainment. Brooks will now oversee all broadcasting, new media, entertainment, corporate administration, corporate communications, diversity, international business and business affairs. In addition, Steve Phelps is promoted to chief marketing officer (CMO) and will oversee all NASCAR corporate marketing, industry marketing, brand and consumer marketing, multi-media, sales, licensing, business development and The NASCAR Foundation.
Amy Antenora Promoted to Editor of aftermarketNews
Amy Antenora has been promoted to the position of editor of aftermarketNews (AMN). Antenora has been the managing editor of AMN since she joined the company in September 2002. Antenora, who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Kent State University, serves on Babcox’s Corporate Marketing Committee and Emerging Media Group, in addition to her editorial duties.
Executive Interview with Bob McKenna, President and CEO of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
This week we catch up with Bob McKenna, president and CEO of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). McKenna came to MEMA in Sept. 2005, after 35 years with Atlanta-based Genuine Parts Company (GPC). At GPC, he served as group vice president and chairman of the board for the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA). Under his leadership, NAPA strengthened its position as a leading distributor in the traditional automotive aftermarket.
Ray Fink Named New PERA President
Ray Fink was recently selected by the Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) Board of Directors to complete the term of Mark Spaulding as president of PERA. Fink previously served as PERA president in 1992. Fink is currently the president of AER Manufacturing in Carrollton, TX, and has been with the company since 1979. He semi-retired from the day-to-day management duties of AER in May 2004, but remains president and continues to serve on AER’s board of directors.