CGS Motorsports is in the process of moving to a larger distribution and manufacturing facility in Chino, California. The company is currently operating from the Chino facility, as well as its original location in Pomona, California. CGS plans to be operating solely from the Chino location by October 2009.
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| John Julis of J & J Marketing. |
John Julis’ J & J Marketing is celebrating 30 years in the manufacturers’ rep business. Founded in 1979, J & J Marketing specializes in hardcore racing and high-performance product lines.
C.R. Laurence Co. Inc. opened a new distribution facility on September 1. The 55,000-sq.-ft. facility is located in Sunrise, Florida, northwest of Miami and west of Ft. Lauderdale, and serves all of South Florida, and will export orders to customers in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Central and South America. The company’s Orlando branch will continue to serve Central and Northern Florida. | |
| Mike Long |
Speedway Motors hired Mike Long as vice president of development – open wheel specialist. Long served as vice president of operations for Maxim Racing Chassis in Springfield, Illinois, from 2002–2009. Prior to that, he worked as a crewmember for Steve Kinser Racing, a 20-time World Of Outlaws champion. Long is also a longtime racer who has competed in everything from go-karts to Micros and Sprint Cars and brings a wealth of hands-on racing experience to Speedway Motors.
Nominations are open for the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Hall of Fame Class of 2010. Five nominees will be selected for induction into the Hall of Fame on January 30, 2010, at the SCCA National Convention. Nominations will be accepted through September 28, and can be sent to SCCAHof@scca.com or to the attention of Howard Duncan at the SCCA National Office (P.O. Box 19400, Topeka, KS 66619). Nominations should include a list of the nominee’s accomplishments and a summary of why he or she should be selected. More information about the SCCA Hall of Fame is available at www.scca.com. | |
| Bill O’Roake, International Marketing Manager for Mickey Thompson (left); Governor Ted Strickland (center) and Lisa Patt-McDaniel, interim director of the Ohio Department of Development. |
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels received the 2009 Governor’s Excellence in Exporting Award, also known as an “E-Award,” from the state of Ohio. Each year, the Governor of Ohio presents E-Awards to organizations that have increased the number of export-related jobs in Ohio or helped Ohio companies succeed internationally. The company was honored at a luncheon ceremony held in Columbus, Ohio, in August at the Hyatt Regency.
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| Christina Awad |
Christina Awad joined Precision Fleet Brakes as a project manager. Her responsibilities include customer relations, business management and sales support. Prior to joining Precision Fleet Brakes, Awad worked at Air Liquide as an account manager, where she was responsible for introducing new applications of cryogenics to a variety of industries, maintaining customer accounts and serving as a liaison between several departments, including engineering, distribution, business development and management.
Due to its transition over the past 15 years into a full line suspension company, the founders of Air Ride Technologies—Bret and Sharon Voelkel—have changed the name to RideTech, a name that they feel fully reflects its current and upcoming product line. The company’s core product will continue to be Air Ride Technologies air suspension but will expand its product line and customer base as RideTech. Changes in personnel took place as well, with industry veteran Bill Floyd being named RideTech’s new vice president of sales, and the promotion of long-standing employee Steve McPherron to vice president of operations. More information is available at www.ridetech.com. | |
| Tom Yamaguchi |
NGK Spark Plugs Canada Limited promoted Tom Yamaguchi to president. Yamaguchi previously served as vice president and is a 14-year veteran of NGK Spark Plugs Co. LTD. He also served as assistant to the president in the NGK U.S.A. office from 2006 until his transfer to Canada in 2007. In his new role, Yamaguchi will oversee all functions for NGK Spark Plugs Canada Limited. He replaced Shinichi Odo, who returned to Japan to take the role of director – automotive division.
NFL great Joe Theismann and former NFL wide receiver Mark Seay will sign autographs on Saturday, September 19, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., during the Staer Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous, being held Thursday–Sunday, September 17–20. Additional celebrity appearances and the entertainment lineup for the event have been announced. For more information, visit www.route-66.org.