Caracci, a retired vice president of sales at Robert Bosch LLC and past chairman of both AAIA and the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, serves as the executive director of the National Engine Parts Manufacturers Association and an aftermarket business coach.
Brian Cruickshank, director, University of the Aftermarket, Northwood University was elected vice chairman and Pete Kornafel, chair of the GAAS Scholarship Committee, was elected secretary-treasurer.
Before joining Northwood University in 2008, Cruickshank worked in various roles at Babcox Publications during his 15-year automotive journalism career including his last post as editor-in-chief of Counterman magazine. During his career,he has received numerous industry awards for his writing, including the Northwood University Automotive Education Award in 2006 and multiple awardsfrom the Automotive Communications Council and the American Society of Business Press Editors. In 2009, he was named the AIA Young Executive of the Year.
Kornafel has been the vice chairman of CARQUEST since 2001. He served as president of the group from 1996-2001,managing the CARQUEST Headquarters Office in Lakewood, Colorado. From1970 to 1996, he was president andowner of Hatch Grinding Company in Denver,an automotive parts distributor and CARQUEST member. The company haddistribution centers in Denver and Albuquerque, serving 100+CARQUEST Auto Parts stores, including eight company owned stores.
GAAS 2011will focus on the theme “AftermarketFast Forward: What You Need to Know to Stay Ahead.” The annual two-dayGlobal Automotive Aftermarket Symposium brings together industry leaders andexperts to examine the issues and trends affecting the worldwide automotiveaftermarket and influencing its future. For more information on GAAS 2011,visit www.globalsymposium.org or phone (301) 654-6664.