Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Mike Wilcox |
Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation Appoints New Board Trustee
Bob Hirsch, president of the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF), has announced the appointment of Mike Wilcox to its Board of Trustees. Wilcox is the vice president of worldwide sales at Hennessy Industries, where he has worked for the past 20 years. He also serves on the AACF Golf Committee, which organizes and leads the annual Bob Schoeberl Memorial Golf Tournament to help support of the AACF. Wilcox and his family reside in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Founded in 1959 to assist members of the automotive aftermarket and their families, the AACF has distributed millions of dollars to help in times of great need.
“Terrible accidents or catastrophic illness can occur suddenly, and drastically alter the life of a family,” said Joel Ayres, executive director of the AACF. “We are ready to step in to help. We often are called in after all available resources have been exhausted. That's when we fulfill our mission: to provide sustainable solutions for those in great need.”
Brembo names Brian Lesiewicz Aftermarket Manager North America
Brembo has announced the appointment of Brian Lesiewicz to the position of aftermarket manager, Brembo North America. Lesiewicz joins Brembo following eight years of service at Exide Technologies, where he was the sales director of retail key accounts. Before Exide, Lesiewicz worked for Automotive Distributors Warehouse, in their General Motors Accessory Distributor Installer (ADI) division. He is a 2005 graduate of the automotive aftermarket management program at Northwood University.
Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Carfax Team Up on Customer Service Campaign to Alert Owners of Open Manufacturer Recalls
Valvoline Instant Oil Change (VIOC) became the first quick-lube provider to team up with Carfax to help customers stay informed about open manufacturer recalls on their vehicle. Within the next few months, VIOC will check vehicles serviced at any of their locations for open recalls using www.myCarfax.com as a courtesy and notify customers by email when any are found. VIOC services more than 35,000 customer vehicles per day—a sample analysis by Carfax suggests nearly one out of every four of them has an open manufacturer recall. Carfax data suggests there are more than 47 million vehicles in the United States with unfixed recalls. Drivers often are unaware of recalls on their vehicle, and this courtesy email service for VIOC customers can help keep them safe. A link in the email will take customers to www.myCarfax.com so they can view more recall details and get notified of future recalls after setting up a free account.
 Nitto Tire Auto Enthusiast Day will return to Texas, Saturday, May 21. |
Nitto Tire Auto Enthusiast Day Event Returns to Texas
Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. is bringing its Auto Enthusiast Day car show back to Texas for the second year in a row. On Saturday, May 21, 2016, gearheads from across Texas will converge on Globe Life Park in Arlington for a free celebration of all things wheeled, including a judged car show, drifting and off-road racing demonstrations by Team Nitto drivers, a vendor midway, prize raffles and live entertainment. The car show will feature the hottest rides from all across Texas, with awards being given out to cars and trucks in eight different categories, including the new “Nitto Tire King of Texas” award in which judges get to cast their vote for the ultimate lifted truck. In addition to the car show, Nitto’s sponsored drivers, including Matt Powers and Loren Healy, will give driving demonstrations throughout the day. Admission to the event is free for everyone, and vendor space is free of charge for companies that want to show off their latest products, but space is limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for Auto Enthusiast Day are available online, and interested vendors can reserve their spot by contacting autoenthusiastday@gmail.com.
FAST to Expand Electronic Fuel Injection System Training Classes In 2016
Following a successful first season, in 2016, FAST will bring back its training program for enthusiasts interested in making the switch to electronic fuel injection or wanting to get the most out of their EFI system. A new facility dedicated to training and education on electronic fuel-injection systems has been set up at the COMP Performance Group headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. The 2,800-sq.-ft. facility offers a professional training environment that includes both a classroom setting and live engines for hands-on training and live demonstrations of EFI theories and concepts. During the 2016 calendar year, FAST is scheduled to host six two-day events at its Memphis Training Center, where attendees can learn about the brand’s fuel-injection products and gain hands-on experience. Scheduled for Thursdays and Fridays in May, June, August, September, November and December, the programs are entitled “Intro to FAST Fuel Injection Systems.” Attendees can register for either day or sign up for both classes for savings. For more information and to register, call Tammy Holland at 901-219-9895.
 Daniel N. Schildge |
CRP Industries Inc. CEO Daniel Schildge Finalist for EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016
CRP Industries Inc. has announced that its CEO Daniel N. Schildge was selected as a finalist in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016 Award in New Jersey. The awards program, which is celebrating its 30th year, recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Schildge was selected as a finalist by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala on June 23, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at gala event in Palm Springs, California, November 19, 2016. Schildge has been the CEO of CRP Industries Inc. since July 2008, after serving in a variety of capacities with the company, including COO.
Mustang Club of America to Celebrate 40th Anniversary at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Mustang Club of America (MCA) is celebrating its 40th anniversary at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, September 1–4, 2016, featuring a lineup of performance cars and track events, including performance ride-and-drives, demonstrations offering the latest in performance technology and designated car corral areas for individual MCA chapters and members of Shelby American Automobile Club and Team Shelby. More than 2,000 Mustangs are expected to be in attendance.
R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. Partners With US Gear
R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. has announced their partnership with US Gear. R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. will represent all US Gear light-duty/high-performance products listed in the US Gear High Performance Catalog. Representation territory will consist of the Central and Western United States and Central and Western Canada.
 Included in the auction block is an all-new ’16 BMW M4 GTS—an exclusive high-performance version of the M4. |
America’s Car Museum to Host 2016 Wheels & Heels Annual Gala
The theme of this year’s America’s Car Museum’s (ACM) Wheels & Heels Annual Gala is “Casino Royale: High Stakes & Hot Cars.” Now in its fifth year, Wheels & Heels has become a high-profile fundraising event by providing an elegant setting for ACM and the Hagerty Education Program (HEP) supporters to mingle and cast bids in both a silent and live auction. Guests will recognize Casino Royale-themed items throughout the museum, including a James Bond-inspired Aston Martin and the ’77 McLaren M23 that won at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Included in the auction block is an all-new ’16 BMW M4 GTS (provided by BMW North America) and a four-star trip to Monaco with four-star accommodations in Monte Carlo and two tickets to the ’17 Monte Carlo Grand Prix. Available for the first time in the U.S., the limited-edition GTS is an exclusive high-performance version of the M4. It is the fastest production BMW road car ever made and showcases new technology, including water-injection and OLED taillights.
Proceeds from the event will benefit ACM’s educational initiatives, such as HEP, which provides funding for scholarships, apprenticeships and internships for young adults looking toward careers in automotive restoration. To purchase tickets for Wheels & Heels Annual Gala, or for more information, visit www.americascarmuseum.org/gala.
 Keystone Automotive was presented with the Federated Co-Man Member of the Year award. |
Federated Members Honored for Excellence
Three Federated members have been recognized for exceptional performance and commitment to select Federated programs, according to Rusty Bishop, CEO of Federated Auto Parts. Each member received their honor during the recent Federated Auto Parts national meeting. Keystone Automotive, headquartered in Exeter, Pennsylvania, was presented with the Federated Co-Man Member of the Year award. David Burke accepted the award on behalf of Keystone. This annual award is presented to a member that has shown outstanding support of the member-owned Federated Co-Man warehouse operation and its programs. Arnold Oil Company of Austin, Texas, received the Federated Car Care Excellence award. This award honors a Federated member that has excelled at implementing the Federated Car Care Center program and has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to Federated service provider customers. Jim Arnold accepted the award on behalf of Arnold Oil. A new award introduced this year, the Federated National Accounts award, was presented to John Berrodin of the Berrodin Parts Warehouse, based in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. This top award recognizes a Federated member for excellence in serving national accounts customers.
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