Major Issues on Slate for Aftermarket Legislative Summit

Those attending the Aftermarket Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C., from March 14-15 will have the opportunity to discuss issues critical to independent tire dealers and service shops face-to-face with government leaders.

Key issues that will be addressed during the 2012 summit include Right to Repair, efforts to change labor organizing rules, purported vehicle manufacturer violations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and more.

Attendees will be fully briefed on key issues during the afternoon of Wednesday, March 14, at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. The afternoon briefing session will feature a panel discussion on current political issues and the upcoming 2012 elections.

The panel will feature Ed Gillespie, former counselor to President George W. Bush, and Terry McAuliffe, former Democratic National Committee chairman, and will be moderated by AAIA president and CEO Kathleen Schmatz.

The briefing session also will include Lois Greisman, associate director for marketing practices at the FTC, who will address her department’s enforcement of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

On Thursday, March 15, attendees will spend the day in congressional meetings voicing their concerns about issues that are critical to the aftermarket industry.

The AAIA summit staff will make all of attendees’ legislative appointments and there is no cost to attend. Attendees pay only for their travel and accommodation expenses.

The deadline for hotel reservation has been extended to Feb. 10, but rooms have been going fast, AAIA noted. Registration and hotel information are available at aftermarket.org.

Ascot Supply Corporation, based in Newnan, Georgia, has selected Mark Paquette for the newly created position of vice president. In this position, Ascot Supply said Paquette will oversee the growth of the company's products, corporate profitability, manage marketing and advertising and assume many other responsibilities.

He will work under the direction of current President David Kessler and officially begin his new role on June 3. Paquette joined the tire and automotive industry in the early 1980s at his father's tire shop, and his contributions to Mohawk Rubber Sales were instrumental in the company's growth and eventual sale to Myers Tire Supply in 2021, according to Ascot Supply. Paquette eventually was given a promotion to the role of director of operations at Myers Tire Supply.