Executive Interview: A New Name, A New Era For One Of The Industry’s Top Associations
Earlier this month, Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, and Rich White, senior vice president, of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, kicked off a media tour to educate aftermarket industry trade media and other constituents on a major rebranding for the association. They recently visited Babcox Media’s corporate offices to talk to editors and publishers about this exciting change.
Executive Q&A: Max Dull, MAHLE Tool & Equipment Division
Max Dull joined MAHLE Clevite, Inc. in 2013 and serves as the general manager of the company’s newly formed division to address the tool and equipment industry. Through its RTI brand, the division develops and distributes automotive maintenance equipment including air conditioning service, fluid exchange and nitrogen tire inflation systems into the repair shop equipment sector of the automotive aftermarket.
Executive Interview: Carolyn Cook, ACDelco General Director
Carolyn Cook, ACDelco general director since July 2011, has been a field parts representative, regional parts manager, parts processing center plant manager and director of aftersales for Chevrolet Europe. Since arriving at ACDelco, Cook has overseen numerous enhancements to the brand’s 90,000-part portfolio and Professional Service Center Program, based in part from insight she gathered by meeting with warehouse distributors and independent service centers.
Executive Interview: Rusty Bishop, CEO, Federated Auto Parts Distributors
Rusty Bishop began his career in the automotive aftermarket more than 40 years ago when he joined Fisher Auto Parts where he held a number of positions in warehouse and jobber store management and also served as a director of the company. In 1985, Bishop co-founded Federated Auto Parts Distributors, a program marketing group for major warehouse distributors headquartered in Staunton, VA. Through the years, Bishop’s leadership allowed Federated to grow to become one of the leading program groups in the industry.
Executive Interview: Bob Pattengale, National Training Manager of Bosch North America, Robert Bosch LLC
Bob Pattengale has more than 30 years of automotive experience with stops at OE dealerships, independent repair shops, technician training and equipment sales.
Executive Interview: Nicholas Jacquez, Vice President Of Marketing & Product Development, Affinia Global Chassis
With the sale of Affinia’s brake division, Nicholas Jacquez became the Vice President of Marketing and Product Development for Affinia Global Chassis. With an even stronger focus on chassis parts, Jacquez explains how he and his team plan to refresh the relevance of the Raybestos chassis brand and increase the efficiency and profitability of its customers.
Executive Interview: Dan Moody, General Manager, MAHLE Aftermarket Business, North America
During his career with MAHLE, Dan Moody has served as project leader of several acquisition projects, including the Dana Engine Parts business and most recently, RTI Technologies. Moody began his career at Sealed Power Corporation (now SPX Corporation). He later served as president for the Dana Sealed Power/Perfect Circle group, and became group vice president of the Dana Engine Products Group before joining the MAHLE Group in 2006. Moody’s extensive experience strengthens MAHLE Clevite Inc. as the premier supplier of engine system components in North America and a leading supplier of filters to the import aftermarket.
Executive Interview: Christian J. Brandt, National Marketing Manager, ACDelco
ACDelco National Marketing Manager Chris Brandt is an automotive aftermarket industry veteran. He joined ACDelco in 1984 and has served in a variety of roles, including Product Development, Channel Strategy, Supply Chain, Operations and Marketing.
Executive Interview: Ben Johnson, Director Of Product Management, Mitchell 1
Ben Johnson’s expertise in the automotive aftermarket industry began on the shop floor and grew through his career as he moved from owning his own auto repair center to his current position as Director of Product Management for Mitchell 1, a leading provider of Repair Information, Shop Management Software and CRM solutions to the Automotive Aftermarket. In between, he developed expertise in vehicle technology at Delphi as Director of Global Product Development for Service Tools and Educational Products, at the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) as a Project Manager, and in other leadership positions in product management and diagnostic platforms in the automotive industry.
A Tip For Interviewing Service Advisors
When interviewing service advisors, always ask them to rate their “sales skills” on a scale of 1 to 10. If they’ve been in sales for more than two years, and they respond with anything less than an 8, something is wrong. Either they recognize that they don’t have what it takes, or they lack self-confidence.
Executive Interview: Mike Allen, Vice President, Federated Auto Parts
Mike Allen began his career in the automotive aftermarket as a district sales manager for Raybestos, calling on NAPA. After 17 years with the brake company, he joined Federated Auto Parts as vice president to work alongside some of the most respected leaders in the industry.
Executive Interview: Mark Polke, Director, Service Workshop Concepts North America, Robert Bosch LLC
Mark Polke brings 32 years of experience in the automotive industry to the Bosch Service Network. Before joining Bosch, he was the Regional Marketing Manager for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, and prior to that co-owner of three independent tire and service shops. In addition, he served as an Area Sales Manager, Operations Supervisor and Territory Manager with Bridgestone/Firestone Tire Operations. Mark started his career selling tires and service for an independent Firestone Tire & Service center.