NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Proliance International has announced the appointment of Michael Barbee as vice president of sales. He previously was group vice president for the southeast group of Genuine Parts/NAPA, where he spent 24 years, starting as a management trainee.

“We are very pleased to have an individual of such broad sales and executive experience, market knowledge and accomplishment as Mike join Proliance,” said William “Bill” Long, III, Proliance executive vice president, to whom Barbee will report.

“In Mike’s role he will provide leadership to our domestic business sales team, which is dedicated to serving customers in our wholesale and retail distribution channel. Mike brings a distinguished record of achievement combined with broad knowledge of the aftermarket to his new role and his leadership skills will prove highly valuable to our company,” Long said.

In his NAPA career, Barbee progressed steadily through various sales roles and increasing responsibility, including regional general manager, division vice president, vice president of distribution and, most recently, group vice president. He has received several awards from NAPA, including three President’s Awards and the Triple Crown Performance Award. Prior to joining NAPA, Barbee taught in the California school system.

Barbee holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Humboldt State University.