Robert E. “Bob” McKenna, president and CEO of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), was presented an honorary Lifetime Membership Award by the Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) during the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Executive Breakfast at the opening of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX).
“Bob has been staunch supporter of OAC since assuming the reins of MEMA in 2004,” says Rafaat Kureshi, president of OAC and vice president export sales and marketing, United Components Inc. “Through his vision, leadership and guidance, the Council is now embarking on a new integration with AASA, which will benefit both groups and the global automotive aftermarket for years to come,” he continued.
McKenna joined MEMA as the association president and CEO on Oct. 1, 2004, bringing more than 35 years of aftermarket industry experience to the position. He came to MEMA from Atlanta-based Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) where he served as president of the U.S. Automotive Parts Group and chairman of the board for the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA). Under his leadership, NAPA strengthened its position as a leading distributor in the traditional automotive aftermarket.
He joined GPC at the NAPA Columbus, Ohio, DistributionCenter in 1970. He also served as the assistant to Wilton Looney, former chairman of the GPC board, as well as a planning and development manager at Beck & Gregg prior to joining the NAPA headquarters staff as operations director in 1977. He was named vice president and general manager of NAPA in 1980 and was appointed president of NAPA in 1983.
In 1997, McKenna was designated as a group vice president at GPC, as well as chairman of NAPA, and, in 1998, he began serving GPC as the U.S. automotive parts group president. He also was a member of the NAPA board of directors and chairman of the NAPA executive committee.
McKenna’s other industry activities include serving on the board of directors at Balkamp Inc., National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), the Mitchell Repair Information Co. and the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA).
McKenna is a graduate of OhioStateUniversity. Following graduation, he spent four years as a captain in the U.S. Army.
OAC is the international aftermarket council of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association. The Council promotes the sale in foreign markets of automotive and heavy duty products manufactured in North America. Those products include components, accessories, chemicals, hand and power tools, service maintenance and repair equipment, and paint and body supplies for both cars and trucks. OAC has more than 350 members in more than 40 countries.
For more information, visit OAC online.
The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products. It is a recognized industry change agent – promoting a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues and serves as a valued resource for members. AASA is a market segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).
