INDUSTRY, Calif. — Centric Parts has bolstered its executive management team with the appointment of industry veteran Charlie Kirkland to the newly created position of Director of Sales for Program Groups. Kirkland immediately assumes responsibility for Centric’s program group sales.
“We are thrilled to have Charlie on the team,” said Centric Parts President and CEO Dan Lelchuk. “Charlie brings with him decades of experience in the automotive aftermarket and a particular expertise in program group sales that will benefit the company in many ways. We know that he will make an immediate and invaluable impact on our program group relations as well as benefiting our entire sales and marketing department as a whole.”
“I’m very much looking forward to joining the Centric Parts team,” said Kirkland. “They have a tremendous reputation in the industry and have shown remarkable growth at a time when others have struggled. There’s a reason Centric is the leading brake company in North America right now. I hope that my experience and expertise can help take us to an even higher level as we continue to grow and add new product lines, new markets and new customers.”
Kirkland comes to Centric Parts with more than 40 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket. With more than 35 years of experience in brake component sales management and five years of experience in program group sales, Kirkland has a proven record of success while managing at the district, regional, divisional and national levels.
Kirkland also has served on the Board of Directors for the California Automotive Wholesalers Association (CAWA), as well as the Chairman of the Manufacturers Advisory Council for CAWA. He was also a member of the Trades Advisory Council California Youth Authority, and the ASIA Young Executives Forum. Among his many accomplishments, Kirkland received the “President’s Club Award” six times while with Raybestos, holds a private pilot’s license and previously served as a Sgt. In the United States Army.
