Bob McKenna, president emeritus of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), was presented the prestigious MEMA Triangle Award during the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Executive Breakfast at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) Nov. 5.
Since 1974, the coveted Triangle Award has been presented to a person or organization who MEMA and its affiliate associations choose to honor for selfless contribution to the motor vehicle parts supplier industry.
“The Triangle Award roster of winners includes the legends of the motor vehicle parts supplier industry – and the time has come to add Bob McKenna to that list,” said Joseph J. “Joe” McAleese, chairman of the MEMA Board of Directors and president and CEO of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, Elyria, Ohio, in the awards presentation. “Throughout his 45 years in this industry, Bob always found the time to give back to the industry as a volunteer and supporter of many industry initiatives and associations. He truly exemplifies the spirit of the Triangle Award.”
McKenna’s career began at Genuine Parts Co. and NAPA as a management trainee at the NAPA Distribution Center in Columbus, Ohio. He rose through the ranks, eventually attaining the positions of GPC’s U.S. automotive parts group president, a member of the NAPA board of directors and chairman of the NAPA executive committee. In 2004, McKenna took on a new career challenge when he accepted the position of president and CEO of MEMA.
“Under Bob’s leadership, MEMA has emerged as a world-class association, one which truly lives up to its motto, “The Voice for the Motor Vehicle Parts Suppliers Industry,” McAleese said. “Bob’s distinguished tenure at MEMA truly capped his stellar career in this industry.”
Other past recipients of the MEMA Triangle award include Bill Glasgow Sr., retired president of W.T. Glasgow Inc.; Pete Kornafel, vice chairman of CARQUEST and chairman of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Committee; Gene Ezzell, retired president of Crane Cams; David O’Reilly of O’Reilly Automotive Inc.; Pete Joy of Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems; the late Joseph M. Magliochetti of Dana Corp.; Tom Gallagher of Genuine Parts Co., Atlanta, Ga.; Robert H. Raff, MAAP; L. Gene Stohler of Masco Tech Inc.; Frederick J. Mancheski of Echlin Inc.; John M. Riess (then of The Gates Rubber Co.); the late Larry McCurdy (then of Moog Automotive); and Jack Reilly (then of Tenneco Automotive).
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