The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) named John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co. Inc., as the chairman of AIAM's board of directors. Mendel succeeds outgoing chairman Jim Press, formerly president of Toyota Motor North America Inc., who recently joined Chrysler LLC as a senior executive. Prior to his current position at American Honda, Mendel was senior vice president for automobile operations, responsible for product planning, advertising, marketing, public relations and distribution for both Honda and Acura Automobile Divisions.
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has announced that Norman (Norm) Affleck, retired president, chairman and CEO of Big O Tires, is one of the inductees into the 2007 Tire Industry Hall of Fame. Affleck was a founding member of Big O Tires Inc. and the first president of the company—a position that he held for more than 22 years. Under his management, he recruited many franchisees, helped Big O Tires become a leader in retreading, developed a unique warranty program, instituted the private brand tire line and created the Speed Lane concept still used at all Big O Tires stores. The Hall of Fame Inductions are set for Tuesday, October 30, in Las Vegas, prior to the opening of the SEMA Show.
Pirelli Tire North America announced that Gaetano (Guy) Mannino left his post as president of the company after a 25-year career with the tiremaker. Hugh Pace, who was recently installed as chairman and CEO of Pirelli, will assume leadership for all business and commercial operations in addition to his current executive role. Mannino had been the company’s president since 2002, and oversaw the company’s relocation to Rome, Georgia, and the development of its automated MIRS tire plant.
PPG Industries named two longtime PPG executives to vice president posts. Charles Kahle II, director, coatings research and development, was appointed vice president, coatings research and development. Kahle joined PPG in 1987 as a research associate in coatings after earning his doctorate in organic chemistry at the University of Illinois. Also, Vincent Morales, director, investor relations, was appointed vice president, investor relations. Morales joined PPG in the corporate controller’s office in 1985. Morales had served as director, internal financial reporting, prior to taking on his current position in 2004.
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