The Chesapeake Automotive Business Association (CABA) and the Washington, Maryland, Delaware Service Station and Auto Repair Association (WMDA) have announced plans to merge the two groups.
The boards of directors of both organizations have approved the merger, and will be placing the matter before members to ratify. If approved by members (if required by the group’s bylaws), the two groups will formally merge in early 2011. A new name for the combined association may also be chosen at a later date.
A 22-person board has been named to the combined organization and officers have been elected, with Larry Jackson of Hickory Ridge Sunoco in Columbia, Md., to serve as first-year president. Bob Wilson of Edgewater Tire & Auto in Annapolis, Md., will be first vice president and will assume the WMDA-CABA presidency in 2012. Other officers include Rick Agoris of Brunswick Citgo in Brunswick, Md., Doug Meekins of Brooks Huff Tire & Auto in Hunt Valley, Md., Sajid Chaudhry of Landover Shell in Lanham, Md., and Vernon Lyon of Mainline Automotive in Baltimore, Md.
“Bringing our organizations together allows us to act as one strong voice in an ever-changing automotive industry,” said Jackson. “With the challenges we face in the next decade, it is very important to the individual business owner to have the power of a larger organization. Without that support, many of us would not be able to face these legislative and economic challenges.”
Directors on the new WMDA-CABA Board include: Riaz Ahmad of Silver Hill BP in Suitland, Md.; Mario Bruno of Lake Liberty in Chevy Chase, Md.; Lynn Cook of Parker’s Exxon in Washington, D.C.; Bill Cropper of Salisbury Automotive in Salisbury, Md.; Frank Eberle of Eberle Automotive in Severn, Md.; Larry Frederickson of Lisbon Citgo in Lisbon, Md.; Mike Kress of Marlboro Tire in Upper Marlboro, Md.; John Obradovic, an industry consultant from Severna Park, Md.; Ken Quasney of Auto Sensein Millersville, Md.; JR Rosenberger of Aspen Hill Shell in Silver Spring, Md.; Ralph Schissler of Atlantic Tire in Baltimore, Md.; Mel Sherbert of Piney Orchard BP in Odenton, Md.; Bryan Smith of Standard Motor Products in Reisterstown, Md.; Dave Sutton of Standard Auto Parts in Baltimore, Md.; Rob Wilson of Admiral Tire in Bowie, Md.; and Paul Warner of Uni-Select in Bowie, Md.
“Our two groups have been considering this marriage for almost 12 years,” said Bob Wilson. “We now have a fresh opportunity to make a big impact on our local automotive aftermarket. I am looking forward to growing our new membership.”
The WMDA-CABA officers have hired Skip Potter, CABA’s CEO, as interim executive director to help with the consolidation. Potter and the new board will consider a longer-term role for him as the new organization unfolds in early 2011.
“This is an exciting day,” said Potter. “A strong, single advocate for our independent aftermarket small businesses in any local area is critical to the long-term success of a state trade association. I expect we will soon prove that with the consolidation of WMDA and CABA, one plus one can equal much more than two.”
