BOUCHERVILLE, Quebec – In conjunction with announcing its second quarter financial results today, Uni-Select has announced two new appointments to the leadership of its U.S. automotive business.
 
Brent Windom has been named president and chief operating officer (COO) for Uni-Select’s U.S. automotive business. Windom has been with Uni-Select for nine years. He previously served as senior vice president, sales and marketing, for Uni-Select’s U.S. automotive division. With nearly 30 years in the automotive aftermarket, Windom served as vice president of marketing and merchandising for MAWDI from 1994 to 2004, when it was sold to Uni-Select. In announcing his appointment, Uni-Select said it is confident that Windom’s experience and abilities will bring added value to the U.S. automotive parts distribution activities. His appointment is effective as of today.
 
Uni-Select’s board of directors also announced the appointment of a new director to the board, effective July 31, 2013. Dennis Welvaert was appointed in place of Joseph Felicelli, who resigned in the second quarter. Welvaert, who was acting president and COO for the U.S. automotive business until July 31, 2013, also will act as chairman of Uni-Select USA Inc. As acting president and COO, Welvaert replaced former Uni-Select USA President and COO Willi Alexander, who stepped down in April.
 
As the new chairman of Uni-Select USA, Welvaert’s main responsibility will be to monitor and ensure the execution of the company’s recently announced Action Plan, which includes the closure, divestiture or consolidation of roughly 48 stores in its U.S. network.
 
Welvaert retired as president of Dayco North American Aftermarket Division in 2011. He is chairman of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium and former chairman of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). While at Dayco, Welvaert held senior executive-level positions in the OEM, industrial and aftermarket divisions. He has more than 40 years of experience in the automotive industry.