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Bill Long Named Northwood Outstanding Business Leader

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Northwood University and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) are proud to announce Bill Long, president and CEO of MEMA, is among the 2022 class of 

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The Outstanding Business Leader Award honors men and women from across the world who have made a difference in their business and community.

Long, who has more than 40 years of experience in all sectors of the automotive industry, came to MEMA at a critical time.

Vehicle suppliers were witnessing some of the greatest technological innovations in history while navigating significant regulatory mandates, workforce shortages, tariffs and border adjustment taxes and a new North American trade agreement. Through Long’s leadership, vehicle suppliers were deemed essential during the pandemic and MEMA gained a vital seat at the table with government policymakers and has emerged as a powerful voice in the national conversation on the issues affecting its 1,000 member companies. 

Long is a highly respected industry leader with more than 30 years of experience in all sectors of the automotive industry. He joined MEMA in 2012 to lead its AASA division before taking the top spot as MEMA president and CEO in February 2019.

Prior to joining AASA, he served as president of Long Strategies LLC and as managing partner of BC Partners LLC, providing strategic planning, brand relevance and leadership services to clients in the automotive industry.

Long is most recognized for his 25 years at Echlin/DANA, leading the company’s engine management division, and as executive vice president, North American operations for Proliance International, a leading manufacturer of temperature control and heat-exchange products. He also is well-known in motorsports circles, where he served as a corporate officer for NASCAR in Daytona Beach and as a top executive for the IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Northwood University annually recognizes a select group of business professionals for their achievements, support and exemplary leadership of the communities in which they live and work. These individuals serve as role models for Northwood University students as they share their experiences and obstacles they have encountered, in addition to how they overcame them while on the road to success. 

In the four decades since the program began, more than 300 business leaders from more than 30 states and several countries, have been recognized. These honorees represent a vast, diverse, group of people from dozens of industries and fields of business expertise. 

Northwood University bestows the tremendous honor of the Outstanding Business Leader Award over a multi-day celebration ending with a formal gala event where the members will receive an engraved crystal recognizing their honor. 

The 2022 gala will be held Saturday, April 23, at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. 

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