Twenty-year automotive aftermarket veteran Bryan Robb has founded the Digital Throttle ad network, powered by Adify. The company helps online advertisers reach auto enthusiasts by combining similar aftermarket-focused websites into attractive niche audiences—an approach that Robb says helps advertisers target unique niche audiences and the larger DIY community. “While our industry has greatly benefited from online shopping, the use of online advertising has lagged behind other industries. One of the challenges has been inefficient and expensive methods to locate and manage online advertising across multiple sites. With Adify’s Network Builder platform, Digital Throttle provides easy, one-buy access to highly targeted audiences, while at the same time serving as an inventory and campaign management hub for our publishers.”
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| James Bolch |
James R. Bolch was appointed president and chief executive officer of Exide Technologies, effective July 26. Bolch, who will also join the Exide board when he assumes his new role, succeeds Gordon A. Ulsh, Exide’s current chief executive officer, who will retire and step down from the board on July 26. Bolch currently serves as senior vice president and president of the Industrial Technologies Sector at Ingersoll Rand Company. Since 2005, he has led the $2.2 billion Industrial Technologies Sector of Ingersoll Rand, with multiple business lines and 25 global manufacturing sites, serving every part of the world through 10,000 employees. Bolch joined Ingersoll Rand in 2005 from the Schindler Elevator Corporation where he served as executive vice president of the company’s service business.
3M launched a new installer program that offers training, testing and accreditation for installers and installation companies. The program teaches how to install vehicle and boat graphics as well as other applications. Several training programs are currently available to teach new skills or enhance existing ones. For available installer training videos, training dates and availability, visit www.3Mgraphics.com/installationtraining.
After working 28 years with Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp., Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing Steve Weigner announced his retirement. Weinger joined the Toyo family in 1982, after more than nine years with Michelin. “The Toyo Tires family wishes to thank Steve Weinger for his years of service and contributions to the company,” said Mr. Yasushi Takagi, president and CEO, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “He has left a proud legacy with the company and we wish Steve the very best for a relaxing and enjoyable retirement.”
The 10th edition of the Mopar HEMI Challenge Race Series will make its first-ever appearance at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Kentucky, during the NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, June 18–19. The Mopar HEMI challenge features the nation’s fastest SS/AH 1968 HEMI Darts and Barracudas racing against each other. Jim Daniels, winner of two 2009 Mopar HEMI Challenge events in his 1968 Dodge Dart, and Charlie Westcott Jr., driving his new War Fish ’68 Plymouth Barracuda, are among the field of entries for the Hot Rod Reunion. Qualifying will take place Friday, June 18, and eliminations are set for Saturday, June 19.
Pecca Leather announced that industry veteran Scott Wolin joined its team as midwest regional sales manager. In his new role, Wolin is responsible for all sales in the Midwest and eastern Canada. An experienced sales and marketing professional, Wolin previously held key positions with Hollandia Sunroofs, American Sunroofs/Inalfa and, most recently, Marketing Worldwide. Wolin is a long-time member of the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO), a SEMA council. First elected to the PRO Select Committee in 1997, he served as council chairman from 2003–2005 and was re-elected to his current seat on the select committee in 2007. He has also presented numerous seminars at SEMA-sponsored events and served on various SEMA task forces and committees.