Performance Automatic Inc. relocated to a new and larger facility to accommodate its growing manufacturing and sales operations. The company now has specified areas for the dyno, teardown, warehousing, packaging, building and shipping. The company’s new address is 5119 Pegasus Ct., Ste. F, Frederick, MD 21704; phone: 240-439-4650; fax: 240-439-4873.

Martin & Co. hired Kevin Shaw as its director of public relations and social marketing. Shaw served as associate editor of Mopar Muscle and Corvette Fever magazines, editor of Personal Watercraft Illustrated and senior editor of several of powerTV Media’s online-only digital publications, such as Street Legal TV, LSXTV, Chevy Hardcore and Rod Authority. The company said that Shaw’s keen understanding of automotive culture and its brands allows him the ability to create compelling content for traditional media and PR as well as websites, social media sites and mobile applications. Martin & Co. Advertising, Whites Creek, TN; 615/876-1822.

Meyer Distributing announced a new cross-dock location in Little Rock, Arkansas. The new addition will have a direct feed from the company’s hub in Jasper, Indiana, which houses more than 50,000 square feet of inventory. “The addition of the Little Rock cross-dock enhances our ability to offer logistical services throughout the region,” said Jason Braun, executive vice president of Meyer Distributing. Meyer Distributing, Jasper, IN; 800-MEYERUSA.

ICON/TLC is celebrating 16 years in business in 2012 and opened a new location in Chatsworth, California, about 14 miles from its previous location. The company announced that it is looking forward to increased capacity and providing customers with a wider range of services. The address of the new location is 9601 Lurine Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311. TLC phone: 818-280-3330. ICON phone: 818-280-3333.

	Paul Brian, director of communications and spokesman for the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), retired from the association on April 30.

Paul Brian, director of communications and spokesman for the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), retired from the association on April 30. Brian has been with the CATA for 19 years. Brian is also the longtime host of the “Drive Chicago” radio show heard on WLS radio 890 AM and will continue in that role. Mark Bilek, currently the Internet director for CATA, assumed Brian’s duties.

Wizards Products hired Harris Rabren as national sales manager and John Darlington as business development manager for the company’s automotive products group. Wizards reported that Rabren has extensive experience in the paint, body and equipment (PBE) industry, which includes roles with ITW Evercoat, Sherwin-Williams and DeVilbiss. Darlington has 25 years of PBE sales experience and a proven ability to develop new markets using his refinish industry knowledge. Wizards Products, Hanover, MN; 800-356-7223.

The Justice Brothers Inc. was inducted into the Dry Lakes Racing Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place during the 19th Annual “Gas Up” and dry-lakes racing ceremony at Mendenhall Museum in Buellton, California, in April. The sponsor, Gold Coast Roadster & Racing Club, solicited votes from 12 Southern California Timing Association clubs, the Bonneville-Mirage dry lakes 200-mph club, current Hall of Fame members and the USFRA and ECTA associations. Justice Brothers, Duarte, CA; 626-359-9174.

Direct Lift, the official lift of Barrett-Jackson Auctions, is giving away a trip for two to the Las Vegas auction on September 20–22. One winner and a guest will be flown to Las Vegas to attend. The prize includes airfare, hotel accommodations, auction tickets and spending money. Full details and contest rules are available through the Direct Lift Facebook page at www.facebook.com/directlift. The sweepstakes ends August 15.

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE) launched a new line of pink merchandise in support of breast cancer awareness. The merchandise features the LPE logo and pink ribbon design and includes pink tie-dye T-shirts, baseball hats with pink rhinestones and custom pink lanyards. Lingenfelter will donate $5 from each purchase to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, Decatur, IN; 260-724-2552.

Ohio Technical College and Edelbrock celebrated the May grand opening of The Edelbrock Performance Academy in Cleveland, Ohio. According to the college, the academy will provide students with the skills necessary to efficiently increase a vehicle’s performance through planning, installation and modification of high-performance engine components. The 12-week, 300-hour course consists of nine different training modules covering intake manifolds and carburetor design, cams and lifters, cylinder heads, computer tuning, fuel injection and more. Ohio Technical College, Cleveland, OH; 800-322-7000. Edelbrock, Torrance, CA; 310-781-2222.

	Scosche Industries named car-audio industry veteran Jason Kemmerer its director of automotive product management.

Scosche Industries named car-audio industry veteran Jason Kemmerer its director of automotive product management. The company reported that Kemmerer brings an extensive background of market analysis and product development strategies to Scosche and that the hire reaffirms its ongoing dedication to the automotive aftermarket and will enhance the company’s current team of aftermarket professionals. Kemmerer will oversee the car-audio product development and technical support teams and work closely with the marketing and sales teams to develop targeted marketing strategies and ensure sell-through. Scosche Industries, Oxnard, CA; 805-486-4450.

The Pep Boys expanded its business with the formal re-launch of the company’s dedicated fleet services program. Pep Boys announced that the same wide variety of services that retail customers enjoy will carry over to the fleet services program and help business owners and fleet administrators manage the maintenance and repair of their fleets easily and efficiently. The fleet program has ASE-certified technicians at each location to provide routine maintenance. Pep Boys, Philadelphia, PA; 215-430-9217.

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels was named the official tire sponsor of the 2012 Carlisle Truck Nationals, to be held August 3–5 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The show features more than 2,000 custom trucks, SUVs, 4x4s, vans, big rigs and classic trucks. Ed Scholly, associate director of Carlisle Events stated, “We welcome Mickey Thompson to the Carlisle Truck Nationals as the official tire sponsor and hope that this is just the beginning of a long and successful relationship.” Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, Stow, OH; 330-928-9092.

SEMA member Roadwire was a winner of Facebook’s “Small Business Boost” contest. A prize of $10,000 was awarded to each of the top 10 companies that acquired the most fans on Facebook from January–April 2012. The company credited the marketing of its power convertible top for Jeep—known as myTop—for providing a boost of more than 125,000 fans in three months. Roadwire, Santa Fe Springs, CA; 951-965-6390.

JMPR Public Relations was appointed the agency of record for The Coker Group. JMPR will oversee media outreach for the Coker family of companies that includes several tire and wheel manufacturers, a bicycle company, hot rod and speed shops and a cross-country rally. JMPR is responsible for the promotion of The Coker Group and its subsidiaries, including the launch of new products and creating brand awareness with key audiences. JMPR, Woodland Hills, CA; 818-992-4353.

Source Interlink Media promoted Jeff Holt to editorial director of the company’s American Motorcycle Group, which includes Hot Bike, Baggers and Street Chopper, as well as several special-interest publications. Holt, previously editor-in-chief of Street Chopper and Baggers, will direct all editorial planning for the group and will pilot the re-launch of Hot Bike, slated for early 2013. Hot Bike editors Eric Ellis and Jordan Mastagni to Baggers. New hire John Zamora will be appointed editor of Hot Bike. Source Interlink Media, El Segundo, CA; 310-531-9900.

Realtruck.com hired three employees to help support its expansion: IT Helpdesk Specialist Shane Ide, Graphic Design Extraordinaire Lindsey Volker and Customer Loyalty Specialist Chris Moore. A wealth of young talent exists within North Dakota’s workforce, the company said, and it had applicants from around the region with an incredible diversity of talent. Realtruck.com, Jamestown, ND; 877-216-5446.

	CRP Automotive named Warren Morley as its key account manager.

CRP Automotive named Warren Morley as its key account manager. Morley is responsible for managing an assigned portfolio of CRP’s wholesale distributor accounts by building relationships and creating sales strategies that result in continuous growth. Before joining CRP, Morley was the southeast sales manager for Valeo Service, a company that he worked with for 13 years in various sales capacities. Morley was involved with aftermarket sales of engine cooling, rotating electrical, AC compressors, transmission clutches and wiper blade products.

Sun Tyre & Wheel Systems constructed its third manufacturing plant at a new campus in South India. After its acquisition of Watts Lanka Private Limited in Sri Lanka in 2010, Sun Tyre & Wheel Systems expanded its capacity of Solid Resilient and Press On Band tires at this location, and the company plans additional capacity later this year for its Solid Skid Steer tires.

Omega Research and Development Technologies Inc. launched upgrades to its tech support installation guide website, http://www.wiresheet.com/. Website enhancements include a new “WebApp” icon for iPhone that provides quick access to the website, an exclusive Omegalink module lookup, access to full owner’s and installation guides and an improved wire lookup.

Mike Darrow, executive vice president of the Russ Darrow Group, was named president and chief operating officer of the company. Darrow assumed responsibility for the daily management of all aspects of the new-car dealerships, encompassing 23 franchises in 13 locations, along with oversight of Russ Darrow Leasing Co. Inc. and JD Byrider/CNAC. Darrow joined the company in May 1990 as a sales associate. He also trained at the National Automobile Dealer Association’s Dealer Candidate Academy and was named executive vice president in 2000.

Standard Motor Products was honored by Hahn Automotive Warehouse Inc. with three awards during the company’s national sales conference in Orlando, Florida. Standard Motor Products received the Vendor of the Year, Outstanding Manpower 2011 and Outstanding Training Support 2011. Hahn Automotive Warehouse Inc. Director of Marketing Michael Bonacci presented the awards to Standard Motor Products’ Bob Kimbro, vice president of distribution sales, and Ken Wendling, national sales manager.