Power Automedia has announced the hiring of Andy Bolig as the new editor of Chevy Hardcore. The magazine is a one-stop online source for educational and entertaining content for fans of classic Chevy performance as well as modern classics from the ’80s and ’90s. Bolig joins Chevy Hardcore with a quarter-century of automotive journalism experience. He began his career as tech editor for Corvette Fever magazine, later becoming the editor for Corvette Enthusiast magazine. He has also written for numerous other publications and websites throughout his career. Most recently, Bolig was senior editor for Power Automedia’s own LSX Magazine.
Andy’s brother Randy Bolig has managed the Chevy Hardcore title for seven years, and has now been promoted to run the company’s Diesel-centric magazine, Diesel Army. Randy’s success on Chevy Hardcore has been evident in its reliably high and steadily growing traffic, and he hopes to replicate that success on Diesel Army with a new content direction, centered around more towing, hauling and everyday use.
I-CAR Achieves National Recognition as a Top Workplace
The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) announced it has earned a 2023 Top Workplaces USA award (small employer category), which recognizes and celebrates organizations across the country that have built exceptional, people-centric workplace cultures. The award is issued annually by Energage, with a 15-year history of surveying more than 20 million employees and recognizing the top organizations across 60 markets for regional Top Workplaces awards.
I-CAR, recognized in the small employer category (150-499 employees), has 282 full-time associates, including instructors, primarily concentrated at its Training Support Center in Hoffman Estates, the Chicago Technical Center in Vernon Hills, Illinois and the Technical Center in Appleton, Wisconsin, and also remote based geographically across the United States.
Top Workplaces USA recognizes organizations with 150 or more employees that have built great cultures. More than 42,000 organizations were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces USA survey. Winners are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee engagement survey, issued by Energage. Results are calculated by comparing the survey’s research-based statements, including 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks.
In addition to receiving the Top Workplaces USA recognition, I-CAR also received two Culture Excellence awards for providing exceptional Work-Life Balance and having highly Supportive Managers.
Cummins Announces Accelera Green-Tech Power Business
Cummins—the Columbus, Indiana-based specialist of diesel and alternative-fuel engines, generators and related components—has launched Accelera by Cummins, a new brand for its New Power business unit. Accelera provides a diverse portfolio of zero-emissions solutions for several industries, with operations in North America, across Europe and in China, with additional joint ventures in the Netherlands and China.
“Achieving our goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 requires leveraging our entire portfolio of businesses,” said Jennifer Rumsey, Cummins president and CEO.
As both a components supplier and integrator, Accelera will focus on a range of zero-emissions solutions, including hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, e-axles, traction systems and electrolyzers. Amy Davis, who has led the New Power business unit since 2020, will serve as president of Accelera.
For more information, visit accelerazero.com.
Ford Mustang Mach-E and Ford Explorer Achieve Good Ratings in New IIHS Test
The Mustang Mach-E and Ford Explorer have both earned overall ‘good’ ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) after successfully completing updated front overlap crash testing. Of the 13 midsize SUVs tested, Mustang Mach-E and Explorer were two of four utilities to receive the IIHS top-tier good rating. Mustang Mach-E achieved good ratings in every safety category tested by IIHS, making it the top scoring electric midsize SUV of all tested through today.
The Mustang Mach-E when equipped with specific headlights and the Ford Explorer are also recognized by IIHS as a top safety pick. The new IIHS 2.0 moderate front overlap crash testing now includes measuring impact to rear-seat occupants in addition to front passengers. The same good rating applies to all Mustang Mach-Es since it was introduced and the ’22–’23 Ford Explorer. Ford uses seat belts with pretensioner and load limiting technology in both the first and second rows to help achieve these latest test results.
UTI Appoints Michael Slubowski to Board of Directors
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) has announced Michael A. Slubowski has joined its board as an independent director. Slubowski will offer his 45 years of healthcare experience to help guide UTI’s growing healthcare education following its acquisition of Concorde Career Colleges late last year.
Austin Hatcher Foundation Travels to Florida for Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and Hospital Visits
The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer will head back to the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring for the second round of the 2023 WeatherTech Championship Series on March 18. The Foundation will be present at Sebring International Speedway for multiple live auctions and will host a continuous online silent auction, as well as taking racecar driver Selin Rollan with them to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital earlier in the week to visit children with pediatric cancer.
The Austin Hatcher Foundation is an official “Proud Charity of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA),” a status that enables a season-long series of opportunities for the foundation to raise both funds and awareness at well attended motorsport events held at iconic racing facilities. Representatives of the foundation travel to IMSA races and partner with racing teams to spread the mission of the foundation: erasing the effects of pediatric cancer for the entire family.
“The Foundation is proud to attend IMSA races, but we are especially excited for Sebring as it is one of the most iconic tracks of all time,” said Foundation co-founder and CEO Amy Jo Osborn. “We look forward every year to come down to the warm weather, the smell of orange groves, the greatest race fans and some of the best racing anyone has ever watched.”
Another one of the foundation’s long-time supporters is renowned motionsports artist Bill Patterson, who consistently donates his time and work to help the foundation raise funds through his world-famous racecar paintings. This race is no different, as Patterson will paint four live-paintings for the Foundation to auction. On Friday, March 17, Patterson will start a live painting in the Porscheplatz at 8:30 a.m. The one-of-a-kind painting will sell during a live auction beginning at 10:40 a.m. Patterson will begin another live piece at 12 p.m. in the Corvette Corral to be auctioned at 2:30 p.m. Patterson’s last Friday painting begins at 4:30 p.m. in the Sebring Celebrity Cruises Luxury Lounge and will be auctioned off at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Patterson has one more live painting in the Cadillac Corral at 5:00 p.m., to be auctioned off at 6:30 p.m.
Funds from Patterson’s paintings go directly to the Austin Hatcher Foundation providing cost-free services to families facing childhood cancer. Print copies of the live paintings will be sold as well, and past work can be viewed and purchased at www.theartofracingcollection.com. All funds benefit families at the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer.
The foundation will have a silent auction in the IMSA Merchandising Tent on Vendor Row opening at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday and closing at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Fans can bid online from anywhere for a chance to win one-of-a-kind race memorabilia, motorsports art, raced-user gear, car parts and more. Winners of items can pick them at the tent Saturday evening. To view auction items and bid, visit https://one.bidpal.net/sebring2023.
AAM Group Hires Jeff Kesar as Engine Pro Marketing Specialist
After assuming operational oversight of Engine Pro, The AAM Group has announced Jeff Kesar will help lead marketing and strategic planning for Engine Pro. In his role as AAM Group marketing specialist, Kesar will work to bring Engine Pro into the existing portfolio of AAM Group marketing programs, integrating tools and services “that make sense for resellers in the engine performance industry as well as devising new solutions that address the particular concerns of those business owners,” a company official stated. Kesar will also oversee an ongoing strategy to generate exposure and influence for supplier partners.
Kesar most recently served as the creative director for Phoenix-based Western Window Systems, and before that, was at Shelby American to help establish its chassis line. Kesar, who started his career at Las Vegas-based Hayes Engineering, notably produced the “Motorsports Mania” television show on Fox Sports Network Arizona.
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