The Auto Care Association has announced key professional staff leadership changes as part of an overall restructuring plan to strategically align association resources with changing member and industry needs.
Rich White, senior vice president, will retire effective June 30 after serving in a variety of positions over the last 18 years. White oversaw marketing and communications, market research, member services, trade shows and education, and served as executive director of the Car Care Council.
“Rich has played a critical role in the success of the association during his tenure,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. “He is probably best known for being the architect of the highly successful association rebranding initiative and spearheading the creation of the ‘Be Car Care Aware’ consumer education campaign. Rich’s experience and institutional knowledge will help facilitate a smooth transition over the next few months to our new organizational realignment. He will continue directing the Car Care Council as a consultant.”
Key to the restructuring plan is the promotion of Behzad Rassuli to senior vice president, strategic development. Rassuli will oversee the market intelligence, member services, business development, marketing, communications and community engagement functional groups of the association.
“This restructuring strategy will enable much greater efficiency across our key member-facing channels by integrating related functional areas, and will strengthen our ability to meet and exceed the association’s goals,” said Hanvey. “Behzad’s unique strategic and analytical skills and experience are critical to leading the robust realignment, and to executing the association’s long-term vision.”
The new community engagement department will be headed by Larry Northup as senior director. The purpose of the new department is to evolve the volunteer communities (formerly called segments) to increase volunteer engagement, add value for volunteer leaders and increase community effectiveness to best support the association’s long-term vision. Northup will also continue to serve as executive director of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA).
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