Movers & Shakers: Vince Tunzi Joins izmocars; HRE Wheels Adds Laurent Lebouder to International Sales Team

Vince Tunzi Named izmocars National Field Operations Manager
izmocars announced that it has named auto industry veteran and process training expert Vince Tunzi the company's national field operations manager. According to the company, he will oversee izmocars’ national consulting team, which is dedicated to the successful implementation and execution of izmocars solutions at auto dealerships across the country. Tunzi previously served as a national process consultant for Toyota. During his time with Toyota, Tunzi helped with the launch of the Scion brand and was a member of the core team responsible for implementing sales and service processes.

Laurent Lebouder joined HRE Wheels as international sales manager.

HRE Wheels Adds Laurent Lebouder to International Sales Team
HRE Wheels added Laurent Lebouder to its sales team as international sales manager to handle customers in Southeast Asia, South America, the Middle East as well as assisting with customer support in North America. According to the company, the move compliments its rapid expansion of its international sales arm through a new GmbH division in Stuttgart to support Western Europe and new dealers in emerging markets across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. 

Car Care Council Women's Board Honors Two
The Car Care Council Women's Board announced that Deborah Bjorklund, president/principle owner of TMR (The Main Resource), was chosen as the Aftermarket Woman of the Year, and Audra Fordin of Great Bear Auto Shop was named the first Female Service Shop Owner of the Year. Bjorklund began her career in the automotive aftermarket more than 17 years ago as a general manager for Will-Fix Automotive. She purchased TMR (The Main Resource) in Sarasota, Florida, in December 2005. Fordin is the fourth generation and the first female owner/operator of her family’s automotive repair business, Great Bear Auto Shop in Flushing, New York, which has been in the same location since 1933. Fordin has been in the auto repair industry all of her life—close to 30 years. While growing up, she spent weekends going to the shop with her dad, learning all aspects of automotive repair.   

CJ's Tire Recognized for Contributions to Breast Cancer Research
CJ's Tire & Automotive Services announced that it has earned a permanent spot on the Jefferson-Eagles Breast Health wall, located on the 3rd floor of the Jefferson Breast Care Center in Philadelphia. The center unveiled the newly renovated floor with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 11. According to CJ's, the $1.04 million raised for the renovations were thanks in part to CJ's three years of participation in the Philadelphia Eagles' "Tackling Breast Cancer" campaign. CJ's has also sold more than 2,000 pink bracelets this October, with proceeds going to the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's Breast Care Center. 

Mike and Jim Ring Receive Goodguys 2011 Trendsetter Award
Musclecar and street machine designers and builders Mike and Jim Ring were dual recipients of the Goodguys 2011 Trendsetter Award, which is presented annually to rising talents in the realm of rod and custom car building. They received the award in front of their peers at the Hot Rod Industry Alliance Industry (HRIA) Reception at the 2011 SEMA Show. Projects such as the “Reactor” ’67 Mustang and “Razor” ’69 Camaro have brought the Ringbrothers international acclaim and top awards, including the Goodguys Street Machine of the Year two consecutive years, Mother’s Shine and Ford Design awards. They received the “Golden Builder” award at the Hotrod & Restoration Trade show in Indianapolis as well as being named Car Craft Magazine’s Pro Builder of the Year award. Past recipients of the Goodguys Trendsetter Award include Chip Foose, Troy Trepanier, Alan Johnson, Eric Peratt, Tim Strange, Dave Lane, Zane Cullen, Dean Livermore, Jesse Greening, Troy Ladd, J.F. Launier and Phil and Jeremy Gerber.

Edge Products Announces Title Sponsorship of 2012 United Pullers Series
Edge Products partnered with United Pullers to act as the title sponsor of the series for the 2012 season. The Edge Pulling Series will include all of United’s events held in the Rocky Mountain region. According to Edge Products, Weekend on the Edge will become an official United Pullers event in 2012 and will serve as the flagship national show within the Edge Pulling Series. Edge Products and United Pullers hope to continue growing the sport in the Rocky Mountain region and provide pullers from across the nation with a sanctioned series that can accommodate competitors within a variety of categories.

WyoTech-Laramie, Stevinson Automotive to Unveil Bruce Hays’ Restored Apache Pickup
On Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., WyoTech's Laramie Campus and Stevinson Automotive will unveil a restored '59 Chevrolet Apache truck for the family of Captain Bruce E. Hays, a soldier who lost his life in Afghanistan. The presentation will be held at the WyoTech Street Rod building at 1889 Venture Dr. in West Laramie, Wyoming. The ceremony will pay tribute to Desert Storm veteran, Captain Hays, who lost his life in 2008 serving with the Army National Guard of Wyoming. Prior to his deployment, Hays bought a '59 Chevrolet Apache pickup truck and paid $17,000 to have it restored for his wife. After his death, the money was stolen and the pickup was left unrestored until Hays’ friends decided to complete the mission that he never had the chance to finish. The ceremony will include the presentation of the Bruce Hays Memorial Scholarship to a WyoTech student. More information is available at www.captainhaysapacheproject.com. 

Drag Racing Legend Grumpy Jenkins to Visit Motorsports 2012 Show 
Drag racing legend Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins will make an appearance at the Motorsports 2012 Show presented by VP’s Small Engine Fuels Race Car & Trade Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, January 21. Jenkins will be touting his new book titled Grumpy’s Toy, which offers a full and complete history of Jenkins’ career to date written by Doug Boyce. The book will be available at the during the three-day show. The popular drag racing legend will be meeting fans and signing autographs in the Coastal 181 display area. More information on the show is available at www.aarn.com.