RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – With decidedly mixed emotions, the Board of Directors of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) has accepted Steve Handschuh’s decision to retire as the association’s president and chief executive officer, effective on Dec. 31, 2018. Steve’s decision was prompted by recent concerns with his health, combined with his love for the industry and desire to make sure that MEMA is effectively managed as it moves into the future.
Steve has dedicated his 40-year career to the automotive aftermarket industry. He worked for NAPA AUTO PARTS/Genuine Parts Co. for 18 years, including serving as NAPA president from 1998-2004. Steve also served as senior vice president, commercial, at AutoZone. He began his career as an outside salesman for Mighty Auto Parts where he rose to vice president, sales and marketing.
Steve joined MEMA in 2006 as the president and chief operating officer of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), which exclusively serves and represents North American aftermarket product manufacturers. Steve was appointed president and chief executive officer of MEMA in October 2013. Steve has led MEMA and its four divisions, AASA, the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), the Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA) and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). MEMA’s roots stretch back over 110 years, and it is the recognized voice for the motor equipment supplier industry.
“Steve has led the association through many challenging years, coming out of the economic crisis and into the major tax overhaul, the technology evolutions, and global trade battles,” said Daniel E. Sceli, chairman of the MEMA Board of Directors and CEO of Peterson American Corporation. “We are genuinely happy that Steve can move forward and fully appreciate his wonderful family, but MEMA will miss the leadership and dedication that he brought to MEMA.”
Steve responded: “I truly loved my entire career, including especially my time with AASA and MEMA. This is an incredible trade association, which will continue to lead the industry in responding to the many industry changes underway.”
The MEMA Board and the boards and members of its divisions sincerely thank Steve for his contributions and leadership and wish him well as he moves onto his new phase in life. Board Chairman Sceli announced that MEMA will begin to search for a new CEO immediately.
About MEMA
The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and its four specialized divisions comprise a leading international trade association in the fast-changing mobility industry. Representing vehicle suppliers that manufacture and remanufacture components, technologies, and systems for use in passenger cars and heavy trucks, MEMA serves as a critical bridge between high-tech capabilities in new vehicles –such as autonomous vehicles and vehicle connectivity -- and the “nuts and bolts” of vehicle manufacturing. MEMA works at state, federal, and international levels to ensure that the marketplace and public policy support the development of advanced, transformative technologies that enable safer, smarter, and more efficient vehicles. By directly employing more than 871,000 Americans and generating a total employment impact of 4.26 million jobs, MEMA’s member companies are the largest sector of manufacturing jobs in the U.S. MEMA’s members are represented through four divisions: Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA), and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). For more information on how MEMA is leading transformation in the mobility industry, visit www.mema.org.
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