Compiled by SEMA Editors
John Thomas Named President and CEO of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp.
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. has announced that John Thomas has been selected as its next president and CEO. He brings more than 30 years of automotive experience to the role, including extensive knowledge of the North American OEM and aftermarket landscape. In his most recent role, Thomas served as president and CEO of Webasto Charging Systems Inc. based in Monrovia, California. Thomas will report to Tatsuo Mitsuhata, chairman of the board of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. All departments at Toyo Tires, including sales, finance, pricing and planning, marketing, and product planning and technical services will report directly to Thomas. He succeeds Roy Bromfield, who will retire in July after nearly nine years with Toyo Tires and 37 years in the tire industry. Bromfield will serve as an advisor to Toyo Tires at least through the end of 2021.
RANDYS Worldwide Promotes Neal Hollingsworth to Vice President of Marketing
RANDYS Worldwide has announced the promotion of Neal Hollingsworth to vice president of marketing. As a part of the executive leadership team and reporting to the President and CEO, Hollingsworth will continue to be responsible for activities related to RANDYS Worldwide and the network of brands across all sales and marketing channels. His marketing group leads RANDYS’ companies in web, analytics, digital, event and brand management, graphic design, motion graphics, sales channel support and development, customer marketing support and more. In addition to RANDYS internal work, Hollingsworth’s group functions as a marketing agency to customers, building brand and sales support programs within their market area. He began with RANDYS in September of 2010 and continues to place emphasis on brand development along all channels of the business.
Pep Boys to Award $100,000 in Scholarships to Aspiring Automotive Technicians
Pep Boys invites those studying to become technicians to apply for one of the 15 scholarships available in the annual Find Your Drive scholarship program. Scholarships awarded through the program this year will total $100,000 to celebrate the company’s centennial and continue the “Race to 2026” initiative, designed to recruit talented technicians in the automotive industry and close America’s skills gap.
This year’s program will include five $10,000 scholarships to be awarded to qualified students studying to become professional automotive technicians in major metro areas: Houston, Los Angeles, Orlando, Philadelphia and Puerto Rico. An additional 10 $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to qualified students studying to become professional automotive technicians in other areas in the U.S.
To be eligible for consideration for a scholarship, students must be pursuing an automotive technician degree or certification through a full- or part-time college or trade school program and meet certain academic requirements, provide a written or video essay and submit two letters of recommendation. The application window will remain open until Friday, May 21, at 12:00 a.m. (EDT), and winners will be notified by Tuesday, June 1. Students can begin the application process and find additional details and eligibility requirements at www.pepboys.com/findyourdrive.
Retrac Group Announces New CEO, Company Structure
Retrac Group has announced a structural change designed to increase growth and enhance the security and prospects of its employees. The company’s ownership has been transferred from the Carter family to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) structure, making the 115-strong workforce the company’s beneficiaries. Experienced automotive and motorsports executive Dan Walmsley has been appointed as CEO. He will lead the group’s two divisions—Retrac Productions Ltd. and Retrac Composites Ltd. Long-standing co-owner and Retrac Productions Managing Director Andy Carter has been appointed as chairman of Retrac Group. Walmsley arrives at the company from VentilatorChallengeUK Consortium. Prior, he was the motorsports director at McLaren Automotive from 2016-20, having been team principal at FIA World Sportscar Championship entrant Strakka Racing.
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