Compiled by SEMA Editors
Holley to Become Public Company After Merger
Holley, the performance automotive aftermarket company based in Bowling Green, Kentucky, will become a public company as part of a definitive merger agreement with Empower Ltd.—a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company. As a result of the agreement, Holley will become a publicly listed company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the new ticker symbol “HLLY.” Holley President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Tomlinson and the current management team will continue to lead the combined company. Empower’s management team is led by Chief Executive Officer Matt Rubel and President Graham Clempson. Rubel is expected to serve as chairman of the Board of Directors. Holley is controlled by Sentinel Capital Partners, L.L.C.—a midmarket private equity firm that will remain Holley’s largest shareholder upon closing.
NASCAR Hires Eric Ryan as Vice President of Communications
NASCAR has announced that Eric Ryan has been named to the position of vice president of communications. Ryan will provide leadership across strategic initiatives, and day-to-day operations of the sanctioning body’s communications and public relations work in his new role. Based out of the company’s headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida, Ryan will report to Chief Communications and Social Responsibility Officer Eric Nyquist. With two decades of communications experience, Ryan has served in leadership roles at the New York Stock Exchange, AT&T, and most recently, at Nike. Working across Fortune 100 companies and some of the world’s most respected brands, Ryan managed teams responsible for integrated internal and external communication initiatives across numerous corporate functions.
Goodyear Makes Leadership Changes After Cooper Tire Acquisition
Following the company’s recent announcement of its acquisition of Cooper Tire, Goodyear has announced that Ryan Patterson, currently president of its Asia Pacific business unit, will lead the integration effort as senior vice president, business integration. Nathaniel Madarang, currently managing director of Goodyear China, will succeed Patterson as president of Goodyear Asia Pacific. Prior to his role in Asia Pacific, Patterson was president of Goodyear’s North America Consumer business, where he developed the company’s consumer strategy and its focus on high-value segments. Goodyear says he led the creation and implementation of the company’s aligned distribution model in North America, and launched goodyear.com, driving e-commerce sales for distributors and dealers.
Prior to his work in North America, Patterson worked in several roles of increasing responsibility in Latin America since joining the company in 2002. Madarang has been with Goodyear since 2008. Prior to his role as managing director of Goodyear China, he was vice president of finance for Goodyear’s Asia Pacific business, and prior to that, vice president of Goodyear’s China Consumer business and finance director for Goodyear China. Prior to joining Goodyear, he served in several leadership roles for Procter & Gamble in China and ASEAN.
Dynabrade CEO and President Hardy Hamann Retires
Dynabrade Inc. has announced the retirement of President and CEO Hardy Hamann, effective March 31. Hamann had served as the 98th president of the Industrial Supply Manufacturers Association (now part of ISA), representing 550 North American Manufacturers in ’02–‘03. Dynabrade will announce its new company president at a later date.
Meyer Distributing Announces Bear, Delaware, Location
Meyer Distributing Inc. has announced the addition of its Bear, Delaware, location. The cross-dock will have a direct, next-day feed from Meyer’s East Hanover, New Jersey-based distribution hub, which houses one of the largest inventories of automotive accessories, exhaust and related parts in the region.
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