ANKENY, Iowa – SPAL USA has named Thom Balistrieri director of consumer sales. He joins the company from Audiovox Corp., in Long Island, NY, where since 2005 he conducted key account relations in the United States and Canada while overseeing all manufacturers’ representatives and direct sales personnel.
Balistrieri has more than 30 years sales experience in the consumer electronics industry, and will train his expertise on increasing market share for SPAL USA’s premium electronic offerings, including power window and door lock kits, vehicle security systems and collision avoidance solutions.
"To acquire a resource of the highest caliber like Thom is a triumph," said Brent Clark, chief operating officer, SPAL USA. "We’re supremely confident in his ability to impact new markets and establish SPAL-brand electronics – including new in-car entertainment and multimedia devices – as category leaders."
For more than 17 years, Balistrieri managed his own manufacturers’ representative firms – Sales Network (1985-1997) and Leading Edge (1995-2002) – in the Chicago area, specializing in consumer electronics and representing many of the industry’s most prestigious brands such as Blaupunkt, Clarion, Dynamat, Pioneer and Rockford Fosgate; key accounts including Best Buy, Circuit City, JC Whitney, Kohl’s, Sears and Walgreens.
Leading Edge, Balistrieri noted, was regarded by many as the leading 12-volt representatives firm in Chicago while under his administration. In 1995, he was awarded "Rep of the Year" by Rockford Fosgate – one of 60 distinguished achievements Balistrieri has amassed in his career, including Clarion "Rep of the Year" in 1989.
An original founding member of the Mobile Enhancement Retailers Association (MERA) and the International Auto Sound Challenge Association (IASCA), Balistrieri holds a bachelor’s degree in design and business from Northern Illinois University with a minor in music, which he counts among his personal interests (guitar).
SPAL is a leading manufacturer of ISO 9001- and TS16949-certified OEM and aftermarket automotive products, including electric cooling fans, centrifugal blowers, power window kits, power door lock kits, security systems, shaved door kits and keyless entry systems.
For more information, visit: www.spalusa.com.
