As its Capitol Hill organization reached a new threshold of participating federal lawmakers, the Auto Care Association recently announced the elected members of its board of directors for 2019-2020. This board is effective as of July 1.

The members of the Auto Care Association board of directors are:

Chairman: Mark Finestone, AutoZone
Vice chairman: Brad Kraft, Hopkins Manufacturing Corp.
Treasurer: Todd Hack, Mevotech
Secretary: Roger McCollum, N.A. Williams
Immediate past chair: Michael Klein, Las Colinas Investments
Board Member: Steve Bearden, H.B. International Marketing Services
Board Member: Mike Boyer, TASCO Sales Reps
Board Member: Jeff Darby, Dorman Products
Board Member: Jim Dykstra, Dytech Auto Group
Board Member: Larry Pavey, Federated Auto Parts
Board Member: Tammy Tecklenburg, Tecklenburg Advisors

In other news, the association highlighted its Auto Care Caucus, a bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives who support the independent auto care industry, has reached the 30-member milestone. The Auto Care Association called it a notable achievement considering the caucus recruited 19 members during the entire 2017-2018 congressional session.

The Auto Care Caucus was launched by the Auto Care Association and co-chairs, Reps. Scott Perry, R-Pa., and Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., in 2017 in order to build support for industry issues on Capitol Hill. The caucus mission statement includes the following language:

The mission of the Auto Care Caucus is to maintain a competitive free market for the motoring public; protect consumers’ vehicle data and the right to be the ultimate owners and stewards of their data; and to help ensure consumers have access to quality, convenient and affordable auto repairs, maintenance and parts.

The Auto Care Association explained its government affairs team works not only to recruit new caucus members but also engage those who join through issue briefings and networking events.

“The more lawmakers in Washington who understand the importance of our industry to the U.S. economy, the more likely we are to receive widespread support on our key policy issues,” said Bill Hanvey, president and chief executive officer of  the Auto Care Association.

“The Auto Care Caucus is one of our primary vehicles for bringing that awareness to Capitol Hill while also establishing meaningful relationships with members of Congress,” Hanvey continued.

The association pointed out that Congressional caucuses are classified as “Congressional Member Organizations” and are made up of lawmakers who share common public policy goals pertaining to a particular interest, demographic or political party. Once a new two-year session begins following an election year, the association mentioned each caucus must re-file for official status and start from square one to recruit members.

Other industry organizations that have endorsed the caucus include the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE), Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) and Tire Industry Association (TIA).

The current Auto Care Caucus roster includes:

Troy Balderson, R-Ohio
Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla.
Brendan Boyle, D-Pa.**
Mo Brooks, R-Ala.
Julia Brownley, D-Calif.
Tony Cardenas, D-Calif.
Gil Cisneros, D-Calif.
Joe Cunningham, D-S.C.
Warren Davidson, R-Ohio
Debbie Dingell, D-Mich.
Mike Doyle, D-Pa.
Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J.
Brett Guthrie, R-Ky.
Richard Hudson, R-N.C.
Hank Johnson, D-Ga.
John Joyce, R-Pa.
Ann Kuster, D-N.H.
Bob Latta, R-Ohio
Brenda Lawrence, D-Mich.
Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa
Dave McKinley, R-W.Va.
Carol Miller, R-W.Va.
Tom O’Halleran, D-Ariz.
Chris Pappas, D-N.H.
Scott Perry, R-Pa.**
Kurt Schrader, D-Ore.
Darren Soto, D-Fla.
Haley Stevens, D-Mich.
Glenn T. Thompson, R-Pa.
Paul Tonko, D-N.Y.

** Auto Care Caucus Co-Chair

For more information about the Auto Care Caucus, contact Paul Fiore, senior director, government affairs, at paul.fiore@autocare.org.