WMDA and CABA Announce Consolidation Into One Organization

A 22-person board of directors has been named to the combined organization and officers have been elected with Larry Jackson (Hickory Ridge Sunoco/Columbia, Md.) to serve as first-year president. Bob Wilson (Edgewater Tire & Auto/Annapolis, Md.) is the first vice president and will assume the WMDA-CABA presidency in 2012.

BOWIE, Md. — The boards of directors of the Chesapeake Automotive Business Association (CABA) and the WMDA Service Station and Auto Repair Association have completed their negotiations that will eventually consolidate the memberships, assets and staff of both organizations into one single trade association. Members of the legacy associations will be asked to vote (if required by their bylaws and state law) for the consolidation early in the New Year. Left to Right, Seated: Ralph Schissler, Mike Kress, Mike Ingle, Mel Sherbert, Doug Meekins, Sajid Chaudhry, Lynn Cook; standing: Roy Littlefield, Dave Sutton, Paul Warner, Marta Gates, Mario Bruno, Riaz Ahmad, Larry Jackson, Skip Potter, Bob Wilson, Frank Eberle, Larry Frederickson, Ken Quasney, Kirk McCauley, Tirika Williams, JR Rosenberger, Rick Agoris, Sally Ernst.

Other officers include Rick Agoris (Brunswick Citgo/Brunswick, Md.), Doug Meekins (Brooks Huff Tire & Auto/Hunt Valley, Md.), Sajid Chaudhry (Landover Shell/Lanham, Md.) and Vernon Lyon (Mainline Automotive/Baltimore, Md.).

“Bringing our organizations together allows us to act as one strong voice in an ever-changing automotive industry,” said Jackson. “With the challenges we face in the next decade it is very important to the individual business owner to have the power of a larger organization. Without that support many of us would not be able to face these legislative and economic challenges. We all look forward to working to pave the way for new opportunities for all of our members.”

Directors on the new WMDA-CABA Board include:

·   Riaz Ahmad (Silver Hill BP/Suitland, Md.)
·   Mario Bruno (Lake Liberty/Chevy Chase, Md.)
·   Lynn Cook (Parker’s Exxon/Washington, D.C.)
·   Bill Cropper (Salisbury Automotive/Salisbury, Md.)
·   Frank Eberle (Eberle Automotive/Severn, Md.)
·   Larry Frederickson (Lisbon Citgo/Lisbon, Md.)
·   Mike Kress (Marlboro Tire/Upper Marlboro, Md.)
·   John Obradovic (Industry Consultant/Severna Park, Md.)
·   Ken Quasney (Auto Sense/Millersville, Md.)
·   JR Rosenberger (Aspen Hill Shell/Silver Spring, Md.)
·   Ralph Schissler (Atlantic Tire/Baltimore, Md.)
·   Mel Sherbert (Piney Orchard BP/Odenton, Md.)
·   Bryan Smith (Standard Motor Products/Reisterstown, Md.)
·   Dave Sutton (Standard Auto Parts/Baltimore, Md.)
·   Rob Wilson (Admiral Tire/Bowie, Md.)
·   Paul Warner (Uni-Select/Bowie, Md.)

“Our two groups have been considering this marriage for almost 12 years,” said Bob Wilson. “We now have a fresh opportunity to make a big impact on our local automotive aftermarket. I am looking forward to growing our new membership.”

The WMDA-CABA officers have hired Skip Potter, CABA’s CEO as interim executive director to assist with the consolidation. Potter and the new board will consider a longer term role for him as the new organization unfolds in early 2011.

“This is an exciting day,” said Potter. “A strong, single advocate for our independent aftermarket small businesses in any local area is critical to the long-term success of a state trade association. I expect we will soon prove that with the consolidation of WMDA and CABA, one plus one can equal much more than two.”

More information about the new organization will be available as it develops on a temporary website for the new organization, www.wmda-caba.org.