Compiled by SEMA Editors
TEN: The Enthusiast Network Names Elana Scherr as Editor for ROADKILL Brand
TEN: The Enthusiast Network has announced the promotion of Hot Rod Staff Editor Elana Scherr to the position of editor for ROADKILL across digital and print, including the magazine, social channels and Roadkill.com. Scherr joins David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan, hosts of the digitally centric ROADKILL family of shows and events, in support of the ROADKILL brand. In her new role, Scherr will be responsible for leading the expansion of the ROADKILL website, social channels and management of the magazine. Prior to her promotion, Scherr spent four years as a staff editor at Hot Rod magazine, covering both classic and modern automotive content. Scherr brings to her new position a background in composite fabrication and drag racing, as well as experience in PR and social media management.
 Gary Jaiman |
VP Racing Fuels Appoints Gary Jaiman as Wholesale Brand Manager for Western Region
VP Racing Fuels Inc. has announced the appointment of Gary Jaiman as regional manager—branded wholesale business development to support its growing retail branding program. Jaiman started his career in the oil industry with Shell Oil Company in a district manager role in Phoenix. That was followed by district manager positions with ConocoPhillips in Chicago and Southern California, as well as a tour in Dallas/Ft. Worth as a wholesale branding manager. Most recently, Jaiman worked for Red Bull as a key account manager focusing on sales and marketing with independent convenient store chain owners. Jaiman is based in Murrieta, California, and will be responsible for a region encompassing California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Arizona.
Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation Set to Host 26th Annual Golf Outing During Industry Week in Las Vegas
The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation will host its annual, all-industry golf outing to kick off Industry Week in Las Vegas just prior to the start of the SEMA Show and AAPEX. The event will take place just off the Strip at the Las Vegas Country Club, Monday, Oct. 31, with a “shotgun” start at 8:15 a.m. All proceeds help fund the Foundation’s work as the industry’s only charitable organization dedicated to helping aftermarket industry workers at their most critical times of need. In addition to the golf tournament, the event also includes a continental breakfast and award luncheon just prior to and after the golf outing. There’s also a pre-event reception, held Sunday evening, October 30, from 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m., also at the Las Vegas Country Club. The golf outing and all sponsorship opportunities are open to all industry participants. To learn more about how to become a sponsor and/or sign up to play in the event, visit the Foundation’s website.
 L–R: Alan Beals, Lowell Klapperich and Michael Clifton |
Flex-a-lite Hires Account Managers and Manufacturing Manager
Flex-a-lite has announced the hiring of Alan Beals and Lowell Klapperich as sales account managers and Michael Clifton as manufacturing manager. Beals brings more than 30 years of automotive sales experience to this new position as Eastern North American sales account manager. During his career, he secured significant contracts and sales gains for companies including Holley Performance and Ideal Tridon. Klapperich joins Flex-a-lite as the Western North American sales account manager. His 25 years’ experience includes work for Hastings Filter, KYB America and a Pacific Northwest distributing company. New Fife Plant Manager Clifton has 30 years of production and manufacturing experience, most recently at Consolidated Container Company and Davis Wire, in addition to owning and operating Clifton’s Oil.
Donnie Hurt Named AAM Group Employee of the Year
The AAM Group has named marketing and merchandising specialist Donnie Hurt as the organization’s 2016 Employee of the Year and recipient of the W.O.W. Award. Hurt, who transitioned to AAM’s marketing team last year from PerformanceParts.com, has quickly become an integral part of AAM’s expanded suite of services, notably as email marketing lead and architect of the AAM Sign Shop, which provides deeply discounted signage and display elements to program retailers and installers. Given annually to the AAM Group employee who best exemplifies the qualities of commitment, creativity, initiative and resourcefulness, the W.O.W. Award is named after Wilbur and Orville Wright.
 Mark Noble |
National Performance Warehouse Utah Hires Mark Noble
National Performance Warehouse’s (NPW) President and CEO Larry Pacey has tapped industry veteran of 40 years, Mark Noble, to enhance and lead the company’s Salt Lake City, Utah, and Boise, Idaho, operations. Noble has extensive experience in jobber/installer sales, most recently as vice president of Parts Depot for 25 years handling all facets of the business, and three years as vice president of aftermarket sales for WAI Global. Noble has served in many capacities with the industry’s largest traditional buying group the Alliance, including serving on the IT and the Sales and Marketing committees. He will take the helm at NPW’s Salt Lake City’s West Valley facility September 26.
Bestop Announces Fall “Top Off Your Escape” Promotion
Bestop has announced the company’s first-ever, nationwide fall-season promotion. Called “Top Off Your Escape,” the promotion is designed to drum up excitement for Jeep Wrangler soft tops and accessories during autumn and leading into the holiday selling season. Behind-the-scenes, the stage has been set for the promotion with a 5% jobber rebate offer. The program, which lasts through December 31, 2016, grants $250 cash back for every $5,000 in Bestop product purchased. The “Top Off Your Escape” consumer promotion began September 1 with $50 consumer mail-in rebates on the Bestop Trektop NX, Trektop Pro, Replace-A-Tops (including sailcloth) and truck tonneaus. On October 1, the promotion will kick-off a gift-with-purchase program. Any consumer purchasing a qualifying Bestop soft top before December 31, 2016, is eligible to receive a Bestop lockbox, custom-made for a Jeep Wrangler.
Glen Carlson Jr. Retiring after 58 Years With Acme Manufacturing Company
Acme Manufacturing Company, located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, has announced the retirement of Glen Carlson Jr., Acme chairman, after 58 years of service. He was named and will continue as chairman emeritus. Carlson joined Acme in 1958 and was responsible for managing and directing Acme’s sales and manufacturing operations before advancing to positions of vice president, president, chairman and owner. Carlson was instrumental in providing coated abrasive belt coil, strip and sheet grinding systems in the steel industry and also high-production multiple head “O.D.” coated abrasive belt grinding systems for the steel and hydraulic cylinder industries for rods, bars and tubes. In addition, Acme has announced Glen Carlson III—the fourth-generation family member who has been with Acme for more than 32 years—has been appointed president and CEO and majority shareholder. He will be responsible for overseeing all company operations and the strategic direction for advancing robotic deburring and polishing automation solutions globally into the next decade.
Walser Automotive Group Acquires Luxury Dealer Group in Wichita
Walser Automotive Group has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Wichita Luxury Collection (WLC)—a premier luxury automotive retailer in Wichita, Kansas. WLC brings 10 luxury brands, including Acura, Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Porsche and AMG, to Walser’s existing 15 franchises. Bobby Cuillo will remain as managing partner of WLC and will run daily operations and customer, vendor and manufacturer relationships, and be responsible for growing the luxury collection brand in and outside of Wichita. After more than 50 years at the helm, Vic Scholfield, Tom Devlin and Steve Hatchett—the other current partners of WLC—will retire.
Service Providers Earn Incentive for Monroe Quick-Strut Assembly Sales During Fall Selling Season Promotion
Through the the Monroe “Quick 2 Install Rewards” promotion, service providers can earn a $30 Visa prepaid card for each pair of qualifying Monroe Quick-Strut replacement assemblies sold in September and October. The promotion will be available until October 31, 2016, for sales of qualifying pairs of the ready-to-install replacement solutions. During the same promotional period, the Monroe brand is offering the Shocktober program that enables consumers to get four qualifying Monroe units for the price of three. Consumers who qualify for the offer will receive a Visa prepaid card equal to the lowest priced unit, up to the current suggested list price, by mail. Visit www.Monroe.com for program rules and restrictions.
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