Paul Fiore Joins AAIA as Director of Government Affairs
Paul Fiore was named director of government affairs for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). Fiore worked for the Tire Industry Association since 2003, most recently as director of government and business relations. He has also served as executive vice president of the Service Station Dealers of America and Allied Trades. Fiore has more than 27 years of experience in the automotive service and repair industry before becoming a state trade association lobbyist in 2003. Fiore will report to Aaron Lowe, AAIA’s vice president of government affairs.
Robert Kollar Promoted to COO for Hastings Manufacturing
Hastings Manufacturing Company LLC promoted Robert “Bob” Kollar to COO, a newly created position within the company. He will report to CEO Fred Cook. In his new role, Kollar will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of Hastings Manufacturing Company LLC and Hastings East Manufacturing Company LTD, including all quality, sales, operations, engineering, human resources and finance activities. He will also continue on the board of directors for Hastings East Manufacturing Company LTD in Changzhou, China. Kollar was formerly Hastings' vice president of operations and vice president of customer satisfaction, leading the aftermarket and OEM sales efforts, and had recently taken a six-month assignment for The Anderson Group, LLC as CEO and president of After Six Tuxedos of Atlanta.
Entries Being Accepted for Bridgestone's Safety Scholars Contest
Entries are being accepted until May 13 for Bridgestone Americas Safety Scholars Video Contest, which is part of Bridgestone's teen safety education initiatives. Bridgestone has also opened the 2011 Safety Scholars contest to Canadian residents ages 16 to 21 (excluding Quebec) for this year. For the contest, entrants create a short automotive safety-themed video that encourages their peers to make better decisions behind the wheel. The top 10 videos are posted online for the public to vote on, and the three videos that receive the most votes win the grand prize: a $5,000 college scholarship (Canadian winners will receive a $5,000 cash prize) and a free set of tires. Visit www.safetyscholars.com for complete information.
Fullerton Chamber of Commerce Honors Yokohama Corp.
Yokohama Tire Corp. earned the 2011 Presidents’ Business Achievement Award by the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce, which annually recognizes businesses for their innovation, entrepreneurship and outstanding business citizenship. Yokohama was awarded the top honor in the large business category. Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) was recognized for its numerous civic activities. The company will be recognized at a dinner on Wednesday, June 15, at the Summit House Restaurant in Fullerton.
Bossco International Partners With Casey's General Store
Bossco International announced that the popular Midwest convenience store chain, Casey’s General Stores, has picked up its Luma Lite product. “We are very excited about this business arrangement,” commented Clifford Wright, CEO and founder of Bossco International. “Casey’s has more than 1,500 stores and that means our Luma Lites will be available to a very wide audience.” Wright is a prominent biochemical engineer. With more than six-dozen patents, he has been recognized for his extensive list of medical inventions. His most recent inventions have targeted the automotive and sporting goods industries and include the Luma Lite, Glove Lite and Cuff Lite—all products in the HI:BEAM line from Bossco International.