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By Counterman
MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association (MEMA) announced the retirement of its esteemed president and CEO, Bill Long, to be effective January 3, 2026. Under Bill Long’s visionary leadership, MEMA has seen significant growth and transformative changes that have solidified its position as a leading association in the industry.
“Throughout his tenure, Bill Long has been instrumental in fostering innovation, advocating for industry interests and strengthening
link hidden, please login to view role in shaping the future of motor and equipment manufacturing through some of the most challenging and transformative times in automotive history. His leadership, dedication and expertise have earned him widespread respect and admiration from colleagues and industry partners alike during his more than 40-year career,” said MEMA Chairman Kurk Wilks, president and CEO of MANN+HUMMEL.
In conjunction with Bill Long’s retirement, the link hidden, please login to view Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul McCarthy as the new president and CEO, effective January 3, 2026. Paul McCarthy brings a wealth of industry experience and a deep commitment to advancing MEMA’s mission. With his remarkable leadership skills and extensive industry knowledge, the MEMA Board is confident that in Paul McCarthy, they have selected the right leader to drive the association forward and take it to another level, building upon the strong foundation laid by Bill Long.
Paul McCarthy has been an integral part of MEMA’s leadership team, contributing significantly to its success as MEMA’s senior vice president of strategy and president of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. In his almost three decades in our industry, he has extensive experience in all of MEMA’s member segments: original equipment, commercial vehicles and the aftermarket. His vision for MEMA will enhance our value of member-centricity and our objectives of a powerful supplier voice, strong industry advocacy, innovation and excellence.
“I am deeply honored to have served as MEMA’s president and CEO and am proud of what we have achieved together,” said Bill Long. “I have full confidence in Paul McCarthy’s ability to lead MEMA into a bright and successful future.”
Paul McCarthy added, “I am excited to take on this new role, champion the supplier industry I am so passionate about and lead the talented team at MEMA. Together, we will serve our members and drive a growing, profitable, innovative and influential vehicle supplier community. We seek to be an association that is vital to our members’ success, protects suppliers and helps our members see the road ahead in a time of change.”
As MEMA embarks on this new chapter, the MEMA board extends its heartfelt gratitude to Bill Long for his exceptional service and contributions to the vehicle supplier community during his 13-year tenure at MEMA and his six years as president and CEO, and we look forward to the dynamic strategic vision of Paul McCarthy to lead us forward. The post
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By Counterman
XL Parts | The Parts House announced the appointment of Vikrant Aggarwal as its new president and chief executive officer, effective April 21, 2025. Aggarwal will succeed Mike Odell, who will remain as chief executive officer of Marubeni Automotive Aftermarket Holdings, the parent company of XL Parts, The Parts House, C&K Auto Parts and other Marubeni investments in the U.S. automotive aftermarket.
“Vikrant’s extensive industry knowledge, operational expertise, and collaborative leadership style position him to continue to drive our commitment to delivering exceptional service, achieving sustainable growth, and guiding the organization to a prosperous future,” said Odell.
The succession plan Odell began several years ago when
link hidden, please login to view| link hidden, please login to view initiated the search for a chief operating officer. Aggarwal joined the company in September 2023 and was link hidden, please login to view. With more than 25 years of experience running global business functions, including a worldwide alternator business, XL Parts | The Parts House said Aggarwal has an admirable track record of success in the automotive industry. “I am honored to take on this new role and am excited to lead our incredible team at XL Parts | The Parts House,” said Aggarwal. “I look forward to continuing our growth by developing exceptional talent, ensuring consistently high standards of service for our customers, maintaining strong relationships with our valued vendor partners and continuing to represent the interests of our shareholders.”
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view N.A. announced the promotion of Scott Howat to director of sales and marketing. In this new role, Howat will oversee all sales channels across the region, driving strategic growth and market expansion, the company said. Howat joined Litens in 2022, bringing over 30 years of experience in sales, marketing and product management. Most recently, he served as national sales and marketing manager.
“As Litens Aftermarket continues to grow across North America, we are committed to ensuring our leadership team reflects our vision for the future,” said John Lussier, president of
link hidden, please login to view “Scott’s extensive industry experience and strategic approach to sales and marketing make him the ideal leader to drive our continued success and growth.” Over the past two years, Litens Aftermarket said it has experienced significant growth, and this promotion—along with other upcoming leadership changes—is part of the company’s strategic effort to align its internal talent with the areas in which those individuals can deliver the most value. By positioning leaders like Howat in key roles, the company added it is strengthening its aftermarket team and ensuring continued success in an evolving market.
Throughout his career, Howat made a notable impact while working at the Auto Care Association, Affinia Group, Dana, Echlin and Gates Corporation. Howat holds a Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designation from the University of the Aftermarket. Additionally, he has served in leadership roles with various industry associations, including as a member of the Automotive Communications Council, member of the Auto Care Association Marketing and Communications Committee, and Chairman of the Marketing Executives Council for the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (now known as the Motor and Equipment Manufacturing Association), among others, according to Litens.
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By Counterman
MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers announced that Brad Beckham, CEO of O’Reilly Auto Parts, will deliver the customer keynote at the
link hidden, please login to view on April 2, 2025 at the Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel in Chicago. Beckham will share insights from the customer perspective. Serving as CEO since 2024, Beckham’s journey in the O’Reilly organization began in 1996 at the age of 17 as a parts specialist. From that first role, Beckham progressed through the roles of store manager, district manager, region manager, divisional vice president, vice president of eastern store operations and sales, senior vice president of central store operations and sales, executive vice president of store operations and sales, executive vice president and COO, and, finally to Co-president before becoming CEO. With this breadth of experience, he has a vast knowledge of retail automotive operations and a deeply rooted dedication to the O’Reilly company culture,
link hidden, please login to view said. “We are honored to have Brad as the customer keynote speaker for this year’s Vision Conference,” said Paul McCarthy, president of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. “Brad’s long career with O’Reilly has been defined by exceptional leadership, operational expertise, and an unwavering commitment to delivering industry-leading customer service. O’Reilly has set the recent customer standard for success and his insights into what drives that success will offer invaluable lessons to attendees as we navigate the future of the aftermarket together.”
Who Should Attend Vision, According to MEMA?
Suppliers seeking to connect with peers and key customers. Channel partners looking to collaborate on innovations and growth strategies. Private equity investors eager to explore opportunities in the dynamic aftermarket industry. The MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Business Technology Council, Modern Industry eXpertise (MiX) and the Aftermarket Suppliers CEO Council will hold meetings immediately before Vision on April 1 at the Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel. The Marketing Executives Council and Mobility Technology Council will hold a meeting right after the conference on April 3.
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By Counterman
The
link hidden, please login to view Board of Directors has promoted JC Washbish to Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2025. This appointment follows JC’s promotion to President in early 2024. JC will now serve in his capacity as both President and CEO. “We continue to be impressed with JC’s leadership, passion and drive, and we expect the same as President and CEO of the Alliance,” said Eli N. Futerman, Chairman of the Alliance Board of Directors and co-owner of Hahn Automotive Warehouse, Inc. “JC brings a strong vision and direction to our shareholder membership.”
Todd Leimenstoll, Alliance Board Director and Secretary, as well as President & CEO of the Auto-Wares Group of Companies, also expressed confidence in JC’s leadership: “As a group, we continue to look toward the future and strongly believe in our industry partnerships. JC has proven to be a strong leader, facilitating industry collaboration, and is a forward thinker on how we can all work together to support the entire distribution channel.”
In his new role as President & CEO, Washbish will continue to collaborate closely with all of the Alliance’s shareholders and channel partners to drive business development and strengthen industry relations. All Alliance executive leadership teams—including those in information technology, sales and marketing, category management, and finance—will continue to report to JC as he leads the Alliance toward achieving its strategic goals.
“The Alliance remains the premier independent distribution program group,” said
link hidden, please login to view. “We are committed to fostering growth and innovation, expanding our reach, and continuing to provide exceptional value to our shareholders, channel partners and customers. We have a talented, motivated team driven by our motto: ‘Service is the difference, we get it!’” JC Washbish joined the Alliance in 2016 as Sales, Marketing, and Brand Manager, with responsibilities that included advertising, promotions, and sales support. In 2017, he was promoted to Director of Marketing, and in 2019, to Vice President of Sales and Marketing. During this time, he played a key role in expanding the company’s marketing and sales initiatives. In 2024, JC was promoted to President, a role in which he helped shape the company’s strategic direction and growth. His leadership experience spans areas such as business development, strategic planning, and team coordination across sales, marketing, category management, and operations.
JC holds a Juris Doctor from Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Florida, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. He has earned his AAP designation from the University of the Aftermarket and is a graduate of Leadership 2.0, reflecting his commitment to professional development and industry leadership. JC is also the 2024 recipient of the Northwood University Automotive Aftermarket Education Award.
“JC continues to provide strong leadership to the Alliance and its shareholders,” said Corey Bartlett, Treasurer of the Alliance Board of Directors and CEO of APH, Inc. “The Board is excited about the Alliance’s future, and we are in great hands with JC as President and CEO.”
JC becomes the third CEO in the history of the Alliance, following his father, John R. Washbish, who served from 2010 to 2024, and Richard “Dick” Morgan, who led the Alliance for over 14 years from 1994 to 2009. John R. Washbish will continue to serve the Alliance and its shareholders in an advisory capacity.
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