In running this magazine, we try to put ourselves in your shoes. Every time we research and write a story, we ask ourselves if it will provide you with worthwhile information, either to keep you up to speed on the market or to help you run your business profitably...or both.
The best way for us to know what you need is to talk to you, which we do regularly; however, we can’t talk to all of you. The next best thing in our minds is to talk to industry leaders who are representative of the market. Enter our Editorial Advisory Board, which has been in existence for more than 10 years. Today, I am announcing our newly revamped Board that we purposely constructed to include all facets of the aftermarket so that the body can provide us with a panoramic picture of what’s going on in the aftermarket.
Over a period of several months, we talked to some of the most respected, most knowledgeable people in the aftermarket and the result is that 11 of them have agreed to sit on our Board.
Before I take some heat for not having women represented on the Board, I want to explain that it’s a bit of a fluke. As we rotate people on and off the Board over time, we will have our fair share of female representatives. In fact, we may wind up with women to fill the final two openings. First, we’re looking for the owner of a car dealership who is willing to work with the aftermarket. And, second, we’re looking for a “typical” DIYer. We would be glad to entertain any thoughts you have on either of these.
Now to introduce our new Board, which looks like a “Who’s Who” of the aftermarket. Most, if not all of these folks will be familiar to you due to the many contributions that they have made to the industry.
First is Jack Creamer, whom I’ve known for more than 20 years. Jack is truly the “dean” of the marketplace having predicted most of the major changes in the industry over the last two decades. Presently, Jack is the president of Distribution Marketing Services and is president emeritus of the Automotive Warehouse Distribution Association.
Mike Lambert is co-president of the Automotive Distribution Network and president of Parts Plus. Mike has spent his entire working career in the aftermarket in a variety of positions and companies.
Ken Walker has served as chairman, president and CEO of Meineke since 1996. Under his leadership, Meineke was the first automotive service chain to earn the prestigious Fair Franchising Seal from the American Association of Franchisees & Dealers.
Phill Porpora, along with his two partners, Tim Lee and Mickey Jaffe, owns and operates Lee Auto Parts Inc. and Certified Automotive Warehouse Inc., a traditional (Alliance) WD that supplies 100 independent jobbers, as well as 22 company-owned Lee Auto Parts Stores. Phill is a past member of AWDA’s board of governors.
Jon Wyly, a member of the SEMA board and executive committee, is vice president of Arrow Speed Warehouse, a multi-location specialty parts distributor.
Dick Fairbanks is president and principal of Orleans Auto Supply Inc. in Hyannis, Mass. He’s a former executive director and committee chair for AAIA.
Andy Fiffick is president/CEO of Rad Air Complete Car Care in the Cleveland, Ohio suburbs. Andy is a contributor to our sister publication, Motor Age, and hosts a live automotive call-in talk show on Cleveland radio.
Ted Wise is co-president/CEO of O’Reilly Automotive Inc. in Springfield, Mo.
Ron Levene is president/CEO of Asher Management Group, Ltd. in Binghamton, N.Y. Ron has long been active in AWDA, including serving as chairman during the merger of AWDA into AAIA.
Last but not least are Tom Swoboda and Joe Catalano, both of whom we retained from our previous Board. Tom, with 35 years retailing experience, is chairman/CEO of Ducker, Findlay, Swoboda & Associates in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Joe, who has 30 years automotive experience, has been president/COO of Strauss Discount Auto since 2000.
One final note: I would like to thank Tom and Joe and all of our previous Board members (listed on our website) for their many contributions over the years. We will forever be indebted to you for helping us build this magazine into the leading magazine for wholesale and retail distributors.
