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S. Kellie Colf
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S. Kellie Colf was appointed vice president of sales for the
Aftermarketer Club. Colf will work to help grow the company’s presence among aftermarket and auto industry companies. Prior to this appointment, she worked as the market development manager for Eaton Detroit Spring for six years. She has more than a decade’s worth of sales and marketing experience with some of the top companies in the auto industry. Colf was named “Woman of the Year” by the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network for 2010, and she currently sits on several SEMA committees. Aftermarketer Club, Scottsdale, AZ; 602/412-3426.
The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Board of Trustees named Steve Carey, NTEA senior director of operations, to replace long-time Executive Director Jim Carney. Carney will retire on April 30, 2012, after what will be a 36-year career with the NTEA (35 years as executive director). Due to Carney’s longevity in the position, the NTEA board wanted to establish a succession path well before his retirement. The board selected Carey based on his 12 years of experience with the association, his knowledge of the industry and his awareness of members’ needs and concerns. NTEA, Farmington Hills, MI; 248/489-7090.
Longtime NASCAR executive Ken Clapp and high-profile attorney Michael C. Cohen were elected to the NHRA Board of Directors. Clapp has a distinguished background in motorsports and has worked in a variety of executive positions at the sport’s top levels. Cohen is a partner in Morrison & Foerster LLP, a major national and international law firm. He heads the corporate finance practice group from the firm’s Los Angeles office. NHRA, Glendora, CA; 626/914-4671.
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Ruth Ehlinger
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Ruth Ehlinger was elected president of the
Car Care Council Women’s Board. Ehlinger will preside over all meetings and help supervise the affairs of the board for a three-year term. She has been a member of the Women’s Board since 2001. In addition to the presidency, Ehlinger will continue to serve as the chair of the Consumer Education Committee until a new chairperson is chosen.
Roush Performance moved into a new headquarters in Plymouth Township, Michigan. The 65,000 sq.-ft. building is located at 39555 Schoolcraft Rd. in Plymouth Township. The toll-free customer service and warranty line remains 800/59-ROUSH, and the central fax number remains 734/466-6940. All direct lines to individual employees are unchanged as well. The company reports that the new building allows it to further expand its installation center for customer-owned vehicle modifications.
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Frank Dettmers
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Frank Dettmers, a collision instructor at WyoTech–Laramie, recently earned the
2010 Dream Maker Award. The Dream Maker Award, presented by WyoTech’s parent company, Corinthian Colleges Inc., recognizes extraordinary instructors who have changed students’ lives for the better through education. Dettmers was one of eight instructors from more than 100 campuses across the United States and Canada selected to receive the 2010 award. Dettmers is certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence in both nonstructural analysis and damage repair and structural analysis and damage repair. WyoTech, Laramie, WY; 307/742-3776.
Detroit Speed announced its newest dealer and certified installer, Steve’s Auto Restorations. Detroit Speed stated that this dealer partnership will help DSE provide customers in the upper northwest with a good stocking parts supplier as well as a world-class parts installer and fabricator. Steve’s Auto Restorations, based in Portland, Oregon, is a multifaceted shop that specializes in custom vehicles ranging from capable cruise-night machines to highly detailed, top-echelon show-stoppers. Detroit Speed, Mooresville, N.C.; 704/662-3272.
Driven Public Relations has hired John “Jono” Bautista as director of new business development. According to the company, Bautista has an extensive array of expertise in the automotive, motorcycle, motorsports, marine, automotive aftermarket and environmental-technology industries. He brings with him 25 years of business development and engineering experience.
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NSF International Strategic Registrations Ltd. appointed
William Niedzwiecki as its president and general manager. He will help expand the company’s management system registration services both domestically and abroad. According to a release, Niedzwiecki will work closely with NSF’s other business units and international offices to assess industry needs across a global and diverse organization.
Formula Drift Holdings LLC, operators of the Formula Drift Championship, and Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, operators of the Yas Marina Circuit, have announced the Inaugural Formula Drift UAE Invitational Competition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on February 25, 2011. According to the companies, eight of the top drivers and cars from Formula Drift will showcase world-class drifting to the Persian Gulf region in a competition format. Formula Drift Holdings, Long Beach, CA; 562/901-2600.
Michael Cardone Jr., chief executive officer of Cardone Industries Inc., was selected as the first chairman of the newly formed Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA), an affiliate association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. promoted Bill Stevenson to regional sales manager. He is responsible for the sales region that includes Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and part of Indiana. Stevenson joined Toyo in October 2008, serving on the company’s northeast team as a district sales manager. Toyo Tire, Cypress, CA; 714/236-2080.
CarDomain launched a new website, www.autoholics.com. The new site, which CarDomain touts as a blog of sorts, features content contributed solely by members of the CarDomain community. The company says that the site is ideal to share car show photos, burnout videos, eBay listings and more. CarDomain, Los Angeles, CA; 310/882-2086.
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American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) automotive operations added two new employees to the Suzuki public relations team—
Shamit Choksey and
Aaron Zeuli. Choksey joins Suzuki as the product publicity manager for the communications and public relations department. Prior to joining ASMC, he worked as an automotive journalist and producer for “MotorWeek” and had an extensive career working behind the scenes in television as a writer, production/media coordinator and television development assistant. Zeuli joins the PR team as a public relations specialist from within the walls of American Suzuki, where he most recently served as a logistics coordinator and automotive marketing/auto show specialist. American Suzuki, Brea, CA; 714/996-7040.
Bradley David Productions Inc. has changed its name to MadStache Inc., reflecting a change in ownership that took place earlier this year. The new name is a reference to the trademark mustache of Dennis Gage, host of the firm’s flagship television series, “My Classic Car.” Gage became a co-owner of the company soon after its founding in 1994; he became the sole owner in January 2010. While primarily known for television production with a number of series and specials to its credit, MadStache is a full-service, multimedia company recognized for award-winning commercial production. Madstache Inc., Evansville, IN; 812/425-4454.
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Coast Tire & Auto Service received the
2010 Dealer of the Year award from
ASA Tire Systems. The award recognizes a customer that has proven to be a strong partner by embracing technology and innovation and assisting ASA in driving the development of its software solutions. Coast Tire has exemplified these characteristics. ASA Tire Systems, Merrimack, NH; 603/889-8700.
Synergy Racing announced that
Ken Grammer has returned to the team to assume responsibility for daily operations. Grammer was originally a member of the management staff during the 2004–2005 season, which culminated in the team winning the 2005 Grand-Am Rolex GT Driver’s Championship. Grammer takes over for Kerrigan Smith, Synergy Racing acting general manager, who accepted the position of director of track operations with Virginia International Raceway.
Classic Collision opened a new collision-repair center in Sandy Springs, Georgia. The 70,000-sq.-ft. facility occupies the former Tom Jumper parts and service buildings, and the company expects the facility to handle as many as 8,000 vehicles annually. The company also reported that the facility will employ 40–50 people in the coming year.
Pirelli recently announced plans to construct its first tire-production plant in Mexico. The new factory, to be located in the city of Silao (about 400 kilometers from Mexico City), will produce high-performance and ultra-high-performance tires for cars and light trucks. Pirelli reported that it will initially invest approximately $210 million in the plant, which Pirelli says will generate 700 direct and 300 indirect jobs in the local Silao area. The facility will cover an area of 120,000 sq. m. and will be operational in 2012. Pirelli, Rome, VA; 800/747-3554.
The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) RallyCross National Championship has been relocated to the I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Nebraska, for the event set for October 7–9, 2011. The RallyCross National Championship will be hosted by the Nebraska region and joins the SCCA Tire Rack Solo National Championship in Lincoln, Nebraska, as SCCA National Championship events in the Cornhusker State. The 2011 RallyCross National Challenge season began with the Eastern States Championship at Stafford (Connecticut) Speedway on January 15–16, 2011. For more information, visit www.scca.com/rally. SCCA, Topeka, KS; 785/357-7222.
