The election results are in for the PRO select committee. Each of the newly elected and re-elected members will serve a two-year term, 2018-2020. These volunteer leaders assist in guiding the direction and key initiatives of each group, while giving a voice to the industry.
The PRO leadership extends congratulations and welcomes the following winners:
Jared Cohen- Auto Action Group Inc., CEO
13 Years In The Industry
Jared Cohen has served in the aftermarket automotive industry for 13 years. Shortly after his father passed away in 2005, Jared stepped into the family business with limited knowledge of the aftermarket industry. Armed with an understanding for business management and efficiency allowed Jared to build web technologies to help grow the company’s footprint. The company has since added multiple divisions as well as locations in an attempt to be a one-stop shop for new-car dealerships. Jared works hard to understand what will be next for the industry and continues to challenge himself and others to evolve in order to be best prepared for the future.
Regan Dickinson- THE SHOP Magazine, Publisher
4 Years In The Industry
With an extensive and varied background in publishing, public relations and marketing, Regan Dickinson has worked as a reporter, editor, content and marketing manager, and publisher, most recently as publisher of THE SHOP magazine since its inception in 2015. Regan's primary goal is to educate, inform and elevate the automotive aftermarket through THE SHOP's monthly print magazine, website and daily e-newsletter. As a member of the PRO Select Committee, Regan will be an advocate for THE SHOP’s aftermarket shop readers.
Tony Hinton- AutoPlex Restyling, General Manager
30+ Years In The Industry
Tony Hinton has been part of the automotive aftermarket industry for more than 30 years, working for both Auto Trim Restyling of St. Louis and AutoPlex Restyling in Denver. After just a few years of accounting and auditing in the industry, he assumed a leadership role as a store manager, then operations manager for a multi-store business, and now serves as general manager over multiple locations.
Tony believes that despite the challenges of an automotive industry that is changing faster than ever, the combination of the right strategy, courage, and perseverance can forge the new path of success for today's automotive aftermarket and restyling leaders. He has been a part of the winning team for both the Auto Trim Design National Distributor of the Year and the PRO Restyler of the Year awards.
BJ Leanse (Incumbent)—Go Rhino/Big Country, National Sales Manager
43 Years In The Industry
BJ Leanse is always energized by the work members can accomplish when collaborating with the talent and passion of others, and this continues to be his motivation to seek another term of service on the PRO Select Committee.
In his 43 years as a SEMA member, BJ has had the honor of serving as the PRO council chairman, member of the SEMA Board of Directors and participating in numerous committees and taskforces. He knows that the opportunity of giving back comes with the responsibility of listening, being open to ideas and working to meet the needs of others.
As the markets, technology and world change, he believes PRO should focus its resources to address the needs of its members and be open to working with other councils to solve some of the significant emerging challenges. BJ believes that PRO has been and continues to be a leader among SEMA councils in identifying these challenges and hopes to continue playing a role in that process.
Bill North (Incumbent)— Katzkin, Regional Manager
29 Years In The Industry
Bill North has worked in automotive restyling since 1988 and has gained invaluable front-line experience. He is well known for helping customers improve their relationships and restyling revenue with local car dealerships. Bill has also worked on the OEM side, gaining an understanding of how the OEMs view the restyling industry and shares what he knows for the betterment of the industry.
He believes it’s important to focus on the proper positioning of PRO members between car dealerships and OEMs. Bill currently chairs PRO’s OEM committee and served on the education taskforce, and is proud to note he has played a role in helping to overcome challenges to the industry in the past.
Bill is looking forward to the future to ensure PRO-member companies are aware of what’s next. Change is happening faster than ever, and maintaining a united voice will help protect individual businesses. His goal is to help shape a more prosperous future for all.