Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Richard (Dick) Messer has announced his retirement. Commenting on his decision, Messer said, “As I approach 70, and having given a total of 12 years of full-time attention to the Museum, it’s time for me to relax a bit and focus on other matters.” The museum named Buddy Pepp—founding member of the museum’s Checkered Flag 200 Executive Committee—as Messer’s replacement as executive director.
The following are the Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous 2010 Cruisin’ Hall of Fame Inductees: Jim Wangers in the Builder/Designer category; Hurst Performance in the Manufacturer/Vehicle category; Petersen Automotive Museum in the Media/Entertainment category; and West Coast Kustoms in the Historical/Misc. category. The inductees will be honored during the Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous at the Cruisin’ Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, September 18, at the California Theatre of Performing Arts, in San Bernardino. The cost is $30.00 per person, and tickets must be purchased in advance at the Route 66 Rendezvous office, 415 W. 2nd St., San Bernardino, CA. For more information, visit www.ROUTE-66.org.
THI, the parent company of Extang Corporation, TruXedo Inc. and BedRug Inc., has combined with E.D. Industries Inc. (UnderCover). THI was formed in November 2007 by Kinderhook Industries LLC. UnderCover will join THI under the leadership of THI CEO Bill Reminder. “UnderCover is a great addition to our family of brands. UnderCover’s experience and proven track record in the truck aftermarket will help THI expand and accelerate its own strategic initiatives,” said Bill Reminder. THI will leverage the best practices and operational strengths of all companies under the THI umbrella. David Wells, who will continue in his role as president of Undercover, commented that “we look forward to working in partnership with industry leaders Extang, TruXedo and BedRug. I’m confident through the combined efforts of all of our companies, we will continue to grow and set the standard for the industry’s best truck accessories.”
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| Rick Huston |
The Truck Accessories Group LLC (TAG) announced that Rick Huston has joined the TAG organization as sales and business development manager for State Wide Aluminum, a TAG-member company located in Elkhart, Indiana. Huston career includes stints at TRW, Eaton Corporation and Federal-Mogul. His responsibilities include increasing the sales and distribution of State Wide custom aluminum-framed windows, doors, access panels and hatches. Huston will work out of the State Wide Aluminum headquarters office in Elkhart, Indiana.
Competition Specialties will hold its wholesale-only Mega Jobber Trade Show for the 39th consecutive year on Saturday and Sunday, February 26–27, 2011. At its Auburn, Washington, distribution center. According to the company, the annual trade show features major manufacturers, new products, product giveaways and more. For additional information, contact Bill McConnaughey at 253/833-6211.
Actron and Sunpro—brands of the SPX Service Solutions company—have moved their offices to 3000 Apollo Dr., Brook Park, OH 44142. The company can be reached at 216/515-5100. Sunpro produces performance tachometers and panel gauges for classic musclecar and hot-rod enthusiasts and today's new-era sports cars. Actron manufactures diagnostic equipment and instrumentation in the retail and DIY segment of the automotive aftermarket industry.
Owens Products Inc., a family-owned business established in 1965 and makers of running boards with applications for pickups, vans, SUVs and CUVs, named Media Management Marketing to handle its public relations initiatives. Media Management Marketing is a full resource PR firm in the automotive industry.
Wayne Croswell, president and CEO of WECnology LLC, announced its newest “WECnologist” member, Andreoli and Associates Inc. (A&A), a software solutions provider to the tire industry based in North Carolina. A&A’s core products, HITS BPOS (point-of-sale) and TireLink (eCommerce), provide state-of-the-art SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) solutions designed exclusively for the tire industry. To learn more, visit www.WECnology.com/WECnologists.