NASCAR Licensing Executive Joins Motorsports Authentics as President and CEO
Mark Dyer, a seasoned licensing executive with more than 25 years in sports business, has been named president and chief executive officer of Motorsports Authentics, the merchandise retailer owned in a 50/50 joint venture between International Speedway Corp. (ISC) and Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (SMI). Dyer, 48, currently serves as vice president of licensing and consumer products for NASCAR.
Executive Interview with Richard Shiozaki, Senior Vice President, DENSO Sales California
Richard Shiozaki directs the aftermarket sales group, aftermarket planning group, commercial and industrial systems group and the corporate service group for DENSO Sales California, Inc., the more than $276 million affiliate of DENSO Corp. Yesterday at AAPEX, Shiozaki gave a press conference to announce a number of new initiatives that DENSO will be focused on this year. Just prior to the show, we had a chance to sit down with Shiozaki and get all the details.
Deadline for 2007 GAAS Applications March 31; Students Can Now Apply Online
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC — The deadline to apply for a Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarship – awarded to students planning aftermarket careers – is Saturday, March 31, 2007. The application process is now entirely electronic through the GAAS scholarships website, http://www.automotivescholarships.com. The scholarships are available to students in two-year technical college programs and
Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum to Offer Automotive Business Management Courses
West Coast automotive business owners can now look for business management education at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. The courses are part of the Cal State University San Bernardino College of Extended Learning program. The courses, to be held August 21, 23 and 25, include Managing the Growth of your Business; Leading and Managing for Success; and Marketing your Business. The program is available as a series for $267 or courses can be taken individually for $99 each course.
GAAS Scholarships Awarded to 133 Students in 2006
The Global Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship Committee (GAAS) awarded 133 $1,000 scholarships to students in 2006, several of which were made possible with the support of additional donations to the fund. The annual investment to help develop future aftermarket industry leaders is primarily funded through proceeds from the annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium.
2006 Arthur B. Modine Scholars Program Winners Announced
Modine Manufacturing Co. has announced the 2006 recipients of the Arthur B. Modine Scholars program, funded by the Modine Manufacturing Co. Charity Foundation. The scholarships are named after the engineer and inventor who founded Modine 90 years ago, Arthur B. Modine. These scholarships are available to children of full-time Modine employees at the corporate headquarters in Racine and at any of the 20 manufacturing facilities or Modine subsidiaries in the United States. The scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,500 per year for four years.
Executive Interview with Alexei Gurin, CEO of Amtel-Vredestein NV
Alexei Gurin is certainly putting his experience to work as CEO of Amtel-Vredestein NV and chairman of its management board. An engineer by training, Gurin earned his MBA from the University of Toronto, worked as an investment manager in Canada and other countries, was marketing director for Bennetton in Moscow, served as general director of MOST-TORG and founded Rostrade Co., a retail chain in Russia. In 2001, he joined the Amtel Group as vice president of finance, then became finance director in 2002 and general director in 2004. That year, Gurin was the point man in Amtel’s acquisition of Vredestein Banden and, most recently helped Amtel-Vredestein’s successful initial public offering of stock. In this exclusive interview, conducted as the company announced the formal entry of the Vredestein brand into the Russian tire market, Gurin discusses the acquisition and Amtel-Vredestein’s future.
Collins & Aikman Names Dennis Profitt President, Plastics Operations
Dennis Profitt has been appointed to the position of president of plastics operations for North American automotive supplier Collins & Aikman, effective January 1, 2006. In this position, Profitt will oversee all manufacturing, tooling, process engineering and quality issues for the company’s plastics operations.
Marc Graham Named President & CEO of InstallerEDGE
Marc C. Graham has been named president & CEO of InstallerEDGE, a supplier of auto parts and supplies specializing in the quick lube industry. InstallerEDGE is headquartered in San Diego with distribution facilities in Charleston, SC and Vista, CA.
The Timken Company Elects Ward J. ‘Tim’ Timken, Jr. as Chairman
The Timken Company announced its board of directors has named Ward J. “Tim” Timken, Jr. chairman, effective August 15. The appointment follows the July 29 United States Senate confirmation of W.R. Timken, Jr. as U.S. Ambassador to Germany and his subsequent resignation as chairman and member of the Timken board, effective August 14.