Chalifoux’s new position becomes effective in January. Initially, he will be based in the Troy, Mich., office of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA), MEMA’s original equipment affiliate. He will continue in his current position as OESA vice president, marketing and business development, through the end of 2010. 

“John worked tirelessly with the association working group which spearheaded MERA’s launch this year and its strategic planning,” said Bob McKenna, president and CEO of MEMA. “John has been a key member of the OESA team. It is especially pleasing that we had someone of John’s experience and ability to take on this important role within the MEMA organization." 

In his new position as MERA president, Chalifoux will direct the association’s day-to-day activities, including membership recruitment, marketing and promotion of the association’s value proposition. He also will work closely with MERA Chairman Michael Cardone, CEO of CARDONE Industries Inc., and the MERA Board of Directors on the association’s strategic planning and expansion. 

Prior to joining OESA in 2006, Chalifoux worked for U.S. Auto Group Ltd. in Birmingham, Mich. His past experience also includes working as executive director, global business development for J.D. Power and Associates and principal consultant, strategy and change management for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC.

Chalifoux earned his MBA from the Eli Broad Graduate School Executive MBA program at Michigan State University in Troy, Mich. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and bachelor of arts in economics from the State University of New York in Stony Brook, N.Y. His automotive supplier industry experience includes positions at Valeo Inc., Freudenberg-NOK and NTN Bearing Corp. 

He is a member of the Michigan State University Executive MBA Alumni Board and the Marketing and Sales Executives of Detroit.