The Automotive Communications Council (ACC) has officially unveiled its new Board of Directors for the 2023/2024 term. This group, composed of seasoned professionals with significant automotive aftermarket industry experience, will steer the ACC over the upcoming period.
Patrick Cronin, who serves as the Marketing Manager for the Automotive Aftermarket division at NTN Bearing Corporation, has been appointed as Vice President of the Board. With six years at NTN, Cronin has played an instrumental role in strategic marketing planning and budgeting, and his tenure with ACC extends back to 2019. Cronin served on the ACC board since 2021.
“I am excited to step into the ACC Vice President role,” he said. “Being elected by a group of my peers means so much to me, and I am proud to have earned their confidence. I believe I will bring a lot of value to the ACC in this leadership role, and it will also allow me to give back to an organization that has played such a major role in my personal and professional growth during my four years as a member and board member.”
Alyssa McGhee from MAHLE Aftermarket Inc., Sheila Sarkozi from RepairPal, and Taran Sodhi from Conceptual Minds are joining the ACC board for the first time. Their inclusion will bring fresh insights and invigorate the Council with their ardor for the automotive aftermarket industry.
“ACC was my first event that I could see a future for me in this industry long term. I am excited for the opportunity to bring new ideas for conferences, regional meetups, and virtual get-togethers that bring value not only to ACC but for each member to take home with them to their companies and personal lives,” McGhee said.
Sarkozi said, “I am passionate about the aftermarket automotive industry and its constant evolution, and it is with great enthusiasm that I express my desire to serve on the Automotive Communications Council Board.”
“I’m truly thankful and thrilled for the opportunity to give back to the industry that has given me so much over the past 8 years of my career,” said Sodhi. “ACC is a terrific organization with a phenomenal membership base and I’m eager to play a role in helping it reach new heights.“
Shawn Collins, founder of the EXTEND GROUP, has been named as the incoming Board President, succeeding John McGrane, Marketing Communications Manager at Acme Manufacturing, who will take on the role of Immediate Past President.
“As the incoming President of the Automotive Communications Council, I am deeply aware of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the automotive aftermarket industry,” Collins said. “It’s an industry that thrives on innovation and adaptation, and it’s our responsibility as a council to keep pace and lead the way. I am committed to ensuring that ACC stays ahead of these changes, that we are proactive rather than reactive, and that we continue to provide a platform for learning, collaboration, and innovation. This means fostering an environment where ideas are shared freely, every member feels heard, and we collectively work towards shaping the future of the automotive aftermarket industry. I am excited about the journey ahead and look forward to working closely with our new board members and broader ACC community to drive our mission forward.”
“Serving as the President of the Automotive Communications Council has been a rewarding journey, one that has been filled with growth, collaboration, and innovation. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved during my term,” McGrane said.
Peter Bulmer, Managing Director at Turnkey Media, and Leyla Saad, North America Marketing Coordinator at Sensata Technologies, will continue to serve on the ACC Board.
The ACC acknowledged and thanked outgoing board members Jennifer Holland (ASE), Heather King (JohnDow Industries Inc), Joanne Baik (DENSO), and Shawn Bird (AutoNetTV) for their dedicated service.
The ACC anticipates another successful year under the guidance of the new Board of Directors, given their diverse backgrounds and shared commitment to the automotive aftermarket industry. More information on ACC and its 2023/2024 Board of Directors can be accessed at www.acc-online.org.
