MEMA CEO Bill Long Named to Automotive Hall of Fame Board

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MEMA CEO Bill Long Named to Automotive Hall of Fame Board

During his three-year board term, Long will help oversee the Hall of Fame’s financial direction and help preserve the mission of the prestigious organization.

Counterman Staff
By Counterman Staff
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Bill Long, president and CEO of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), has been selected to serve on the board of the Automotive Hall of Fame.

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Long also serves as president and chief operating officer of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light-vehicle aftermarket division of MEMA.

During his three-year board term, Long will help oversee the Hall of Fame’s financial direction and help preserve the mission of the prestigious organization. As part of his role as board member, he will help with the selection of those inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The Automotive Hall of Fame, which traces its early origins back to 1939, attracts visitors from around the world. Located next door to The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, the Hall of Fame is within the MotorCities National Heritage Area, an affiliate of the National Park Service dedicated to preserving and promoting the automotive and labor heritage of Michigan. It opened its current 25,000-square-foot building in 1997.

The Automotive Hall of Fame aims to serve as a tribute to the men and women who have contributed to the motor vehicle industry through awards and educational programs. Additionally, it works to increase the public’s understanding of the contribution that the international motor vehicle industry has had on our freedom of personal mobility and on our high standard of living.

“It is an honor to serve on the board of an organization with such a lofty mission and worthwhile purpose for the automotive industry,” Long said. “I look forward to representing parts manufacturers on this distinguished board and bringing our unique perspective as we work to advance these goals.”

Those selected for induction into the Hall of Fame are individuals who have dedicated their lives and careers to the automotive industry. Induction is reserved for individuals who have made a dramatic impact on the development of the automobile or the automotive industry. Candidates are reviewed by the Awards Advisory Panel, which consists of representatives of the automotive press and automotive historical organizations.

The advisory panel’s recommendations accompany the list of all candidates to the Awards Committee for its final vote and recommendations to the board of directors. The board has the final decision on who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

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Customer Service: How It’s Done

Customer service should be your number one priority, and it all starts with the greeting.

Eric Garbe
By Eric Garbe
Eric Garbe is a graduate of Columbus State Community College with a degree in Automotive Maintenance Technology. He has extensive independent and dealership field experience as a technician and shop owner and is an ASE Certified Master Technician and former Adjunct Automotive Professor. He has been professionally writing automotive technical articles and documents for many years and in his free time enjoys restoring old cars and creating custom interiors and upholstery.
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This is always an important topic to discuss, because I consider excellent customer service one of the most important tools you can have to earn trust, respect and repeat business from the customers that come through your door. Whether that customer is do-it-yourselfer from across town or the professional repair shop across the street, your business depends on a solid relationship.It’s a subject that I am passionate about, and it’s one that many people are losing touch with. Whether you are communicating to someone in person, on the phone or using some type of social media, good customer service and bad can both exist. You can’t afford the latter, so this is the first in a series of topics which can and should be shared from the front of the shop to the back. No matter which role you hold, you represent the shop and yourself. Customer service should be your number one priority.First on the list is the greeting. From the second a customer walks in the door, they need to know you appreciate them coming in and how important they are to your business. First impressions are everything and here’s the correct way to do it each and every time: look them directly in the eye, smile and say hello!Of course, you can say “Good morning” or “Welcome to Joe’s Autocare,” but it should be a formal greeting and the most important thing is that you have smiled, looked them in the eye and recognized that they have walked through the door.You should always retain a formal greeting until you are on a first-name basis with a customer. Only once you have established that level of relationship is it OK to use the less formal greeting of “Hi,” followed by the person’s name.This greeting does more than just indicate respect and appreciation for someone walking through the door. Most likely there are customers both new and old who are in earshot of your conversation. For newer customers, this continues to build rapport and reinforce their positive view of your shop; they see that you demonstrate respect and treat everyone in the same manner. For repeat customers, even ones that have been coming for years, the greeting is important because the way you treat them is the reason they continue to come.And when a long-time customer comes in and you greet them with “Hi [First Name],” this indicates your appreciation for them and that you’re glad to see them as a person, more than just a customer. New customers that witness this will see that your repeat customers are comfortable enough to be on a first-name basis, another indication of the trust they have in you.

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