Jump to content

  • Welcome to Auto Parts Forum

    Whether you are a veteran automotive parts guru or just someone looking for some quick auto parts advice, register today and start a new topic in our forum. Registration is free and you can even sign up with social network platforms such as Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. 

     

MEMA CEO Bill Long On ‘AMN Drivetime’ (Video)


Recommended Posts

From first jobs crashing a NAPA delivery vehicle to today leading the nation’s top association for motor and equipment suppliers, Bill Long says he really got his start in this industry on the “ground floor.” 

“The Monday after I graduated from high school, I was working at a NAPA Auto Parts store in Massachusetts as a delivery driver. I did such a good job in crashing the company delivery vehicle that I was promoted to the machine shop and then to the counter and then managed a store and I did all of that while going to college between courses.

“Eventually that led to a factory job in the Brake Parts division at Echlin, where he spent 25 years and stayed with the company through 2001 and a merger with Dana,” Long shared. Long left the supplier side to become part of the industry trade association world. He joined MEMA in 2012 to lead its AASA division before taking the top spot as MEMA president and CEO in February 2019. In between everything, he’s had a passion for and spent some of his career in racing as well.

Long started going to races when he was 4 with his dad who was a NASCAR official. Long himself spent time as a chief starter, a race control director and other roles in racing, which led to jobs at NASCAR in Daytona Beach, and the IndyCar series, where he spent 5 seasons at IMS. About working in racing, Long said “There’s a lot to be learned and a lot of challenges and many of them are transferrable to this industry.” 

Regardless of the role, Long is known for his calm and affable demeanor. Perhaps it can be attributed to one of the key mantras passed down by mentors, which he shared on “

link hidden, please login to view
“: “Seek first to understand before being understood.”

Be sure to check out the full video here to learn more about Long’s remarkable career and see some of the many photographic memories he’s captured and shared for AMN.

The post

link hidden, please login to view
appeared first on
link hidden, please login to view
.

link hidden, please login to view

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Similar Topics

    • By Counterman
      Over the past couple of months, MEMA has been building on momentum to try and get the REPAIR Act passed the organization said. Now, it’s announcing the next step in a campaign called the “At Home REPAIR Campaign,” asking aftermarket suppliers to get involved.
      “Members of Congress will be back at home frequently in April, May, June, and July. These recesses provide the perfect opportunities to meet with legislators and urge them, face-to-face, to pass the REPAIR Act in 2024,” MEMA said.
      MEMA’s goal: Suppliers schedule in-person legislator meetings and facility visits during these recesses to advance the REPAIR Act.
      This is after MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers completed their Washington D.C. fly-in to try and build momentum behind the REPAIR Act, also known as H.R. 906.
      The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • By Counterman
      MEMA announced Collin Shaw has officially assumed the role of president of MEMA’s Original Equipment Suppliers group, succeeding Julie Fream who served for 10 years in the position. Shaw’s commencement provides a continuation of leadership that ensures MEMA’s support of the supplier community’s evolution toward embracing emerging trends and strategies that will redefine the automotive supply chain’s future, the organization says. 
      “Our strength lies in our collective voice and actions of all diverse members across both light- and commercial-vehicle sectors. As we welcome new supply chains, evolving technologies, and changing geographics, MEMA is committed to creating an environment where the supplier’s voice is heard and we, together, enable a profitable ecosystem,” said Bill Long, president and CEO of MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association.  “We are fortunate to have Collin’s passion, energy, and vision in further advancing the business interests of the original supplier community.” 
      “For the past 120 years, MEMA’s vision has been to foster a profitable, innovative and influential ecosystem for its supplier members. As I look forward to the future, the vision remains consistent,” said Shaw. “Myself and the MEMA OE team will remain focused on; helping suppliers navigate the significant paradigm shift in vehicle architecture due to electrification and software defined vehicles, adopting and leveraging technology such as AI, and embracing the fresh perspectives brought by new leadership demographics to drive our industry forward.”
      As Shaw embarks on this journey, his message to members and employees is clear, the association says: “We are on the brink of transformative change. Your insights and feedback are invaluable as we navigate this journey together. We will continue striving to represent the automotive and transportation supply base with the dedication and excellence it deserves.”
      The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • By Counterman
      MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers has elevated its commitment to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF) by achieving the status of a Gold Lifetime Trustee.
      “The Gold Lifetime Trustee designation from the UAF is a recognition given to outstanding donors who significantly support the UAF’s mission of providing scholarships and educational opportunities to the next generation of aftermarket professionals,” UAF said in a news release.
      Paul McCarthy, president and CEO, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, and Chris Gardner, senior vice president, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, both serve on the UAF board of trustees to further this collaboration and the mission of the foundation, UAF noted.
      “MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers is deeply committed to fostering growth and excellence in the automotive aftermarket. Our engagement with the UAF is an essential step towards enriching the talent pool in our industry,” McCarthy said. “By investing in scholarships and educational programs, we aim to nurture a skilled workforce that can drive innovation and excellence. Our partnership with UAF is not just a contribution, but a commitment to the future of the automotive aftermarket.”
      Roger McCollum, chairman of the UAF, added: “The involvement of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation is a significant boost to our efforts. Their commitment as a Gold Lifetime Trustee brings valuable resources and insights that will greatly benefit our scholarship and education initiatives. This partnership is a testament to MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers’ dedication to the advancement of our industry.”
      The University of the Aftermarket Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. To learn more about the foundation, apply for a scholarship or grant, or make a donation, visit www.uofa-foundation.org.
      The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • By Counterman
      The Auto Care Association last week testified before the Idaho State Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee in opposition to Senate Bill 1233, which would add language to an existing law that requires insurers to notify consumers in writing if they specific aftermarket parts for a collision repair.
      Currently, Section 41-1328B of the Idaho Code states, “It shall be an unfair claim settlement practice for an insurer to specify the use of nonoriginal equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts in the repair of an insured person’s motor vehicle, or for a repair facility or installer to use non-OEM aftermarket crash parts to repair a vehicle, if the consumer has not been advised in writing.”
      SB 1233 proposes to:
      Add headlamps, fenders, hoods, tail lamps and bumper components to the definition of aftermarket crash parts Add language to written disclosure statements telling consumers that non-OEM crash parts may affect safety and performance of a vehicle Recommend that consumers consult with a qualified industry expert or repair shop before making any decisions regarding the use of non-OEM crash parts Although SB 1233 was introduced in late January, it was swiftly advancing in the Idaho State Senate. Alongside Auto Care Association members, the association quickly took action to prevent the bill from becoming law, sending letters of opposition to the committee members highlighting its impact on aftermarket businesses in Idaho.
      “In Idaho specifically, our industry provides over 12,492 jobs, generates $1.6 billion in economic activity and provides $679 million in wages,” said Tod Moore, manager, grassroots and advocacy, Auto Care Association. “SB 1233 would have immediate, detrimental effects on this otherwise vibrant aftermarket ecosystem, not to mention the negative effect it will have on consumers.”
      During the hearing, the committee heard testimony from individuals both supporting and opposing the bill before ultimately voting to hold the bill in committee and thus preventing it from moving forward. Similar legislation also was recently defeated in Washington state.
      For more information about the Auto Care Association’s latest government affairs activities, visit the association’s
      link hidden, please login to view. The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • A-premium Auto Parts:5% OFF with Code GM5.
    • By Counterman
      Ann Wilson, a stalwart of the industry, a member of the Automotive Hall of Fame and a leading voice in Washington, D.C., advocating for the supplier industry for over two decades, announced that she will retire at the end of 2024.
      Currently, Wilson serves as senior vice president of government affairs for MEMA, the Vehicle Suppliers Association.
      “For more than 20 years, Ann Wilson has been a guiding light, expertly navigating the legislative and regulatory landscapes,” commented Bill Long, CEO of MEMA. “Her deep understanding of the needs of the vehicle-supplier community and her exceptional leadership have left an indelible mark on MEMA and the entire supplier industry. We are deeply grateful to Ann for her service.”

      MEMA has chosen Ana Meuwissen to lead MEMA’s government-affairs initiatives and team upon Wilson’s retirement.

      To ensure a smooth transition, Meuwissen will join MEMA on March 11, as senior vice president, MEMA government affairs, working closely with Wilson, who becomes MEMA’s executive vice president, MEMA government affairs.

      Meuwissen brings a wealth of experience, having led government affairs for Bosch in the United States since 2012, according to MEMA.
      Prior to her role at Bosch, she served as a senior policy advisor at the law firm Nelson Mullins in Washington, D.C. Meuwissen also has a deep understanding of MEMA from her time as an employee from 1998 to 2005 as director of government relations. Meuwissen is a former chair of MEMA’s Government Affairs Committee and is the current chair of the Government Affairs Advisory Committee of the MEMA board of directors.

      “Ana Meuwissen’s return to MEMA is a significant gain for our organization,” Long added. “Her profound understanding of industry policies, her proactive approach and her proven leadership skills make her the ideal successor to carry forward Ann’s legacy.”

      In a news release, MEMA said it “extends its deepest gratitude to Ann Wilson for her years of service and leadership.”
      The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view

×
  • Create New...