At year’s end, Dave Wooldridge, Publisher of Engine Builder, will round out a nearly 30-year career with the company. In conjunction with this milestone, Wooldridge has announced plans to retire at the end of 2012.

Wooldridge joined Babcox in 1983 as Managing Editor of Heavy Duty Marketing magazine. A year later, he was promoted to Editor of Automotive Rebuilder, which was later retitled Engine Builder. In 1999, he became Associate Publisher and in 2001 Publisher of Engine Builder. A well-known and respected figure in the engine building/rebuilding industry, Wooldridge has served a number of industry organizations, including the Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA), the Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA) and the Engine Rebuilders Council (ERC). He was presented with PERA’s "Associate Member of the Year" award in 2000. He is a two-time past Chairman of the ERC and a current board member.

"Dave Wooldridge has left an indelible mark not only on this company, but the industry as a whole. We have been very fortunate to have him serve as such a stellar representative of Babcox for nearly 30 years," said Bill Babcox, President of Babcox Media. "While we will miss him both professionally and personally, we are honored to celebrate this significant achievement with him, and we wish Dave all the best in his approaching retirement years."

 

The company is currently seeking qualified candidates to succeed Wooldridge, who will remain in his current position through the end of the year and plans to assist with the leadership transition.

 

"It was important to me to announce my plans for retirement well in advance," said Wooldridge. "I wanted to ensure enough time for a strong and seamless transition in leadership of Engine Builder. After nearly 30 years of working with so many great people and great companies in the engine building market, I wanted to be able to step down with full confidence, knowing Engine Builder would continue to move forward in its leading market position. With the continued contributions and long-term industry experience, knowledge and involvement of Editor Doug Kaufman and Senior Editor Brendan Baker, both of whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with, there is no doubt in my mind that will happen."

 

Additional details on Wooldridge’s retirement celebration, as well as his successor, will be announced later in the year.