Handschuh Named New MEMA President

Sept. 27, 2013
The Board of Directors of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) announced the appointment of Steve Handschuh as the association’s president and chief executive officer.

The Board of Directors of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) announced the appointment of Steve Handschuh as the association’s president and chief executive officer. Current President and CEO Bob McKenna will become president emeritus of MEMA until his retirement on January 10, 2014.

“I am honored to have been chosen to lead MEMA,” said Handschuh. “MEMA and its market segment associations, the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), the Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA) and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) have roots that stretch back nearly 110 years and have become the voice for the motor vehicle supplier industry. I look forward to continuing to work with these extraordinary members and a competent and dedicated staff committed to excellence.”

“Under Bob’s direction and leadership, MEMA has emerged as a world-class association,” said Joseph J. “Joe” McAleese, chairman of the MEMA Board of Directors and president and CEO of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, Elyria, Ohio. “The MEMA board and the boards and members of its market segment associations sincerely thank Bob for his tireless efforts on behalf of the associations and wish him well as he embarks on this new phase of his life.”

In his new role at MEMA, Handschuh will direct the operations of the association, its Washington, D.C. office and its market segment associations: AASA, HDMA, MERA and OESA.

 An automotive aftermarket industry veteran of more than 35 years, Handschuh worked for NAPA Auto Parts/Genuine Parts Co. for 18 years, including serving as NAPA president from 1998-2004. Handschuh later served as senior vice president, commercial, at AutoZone. He began his career as an outside salesman for Mighty Auto Parts where he rose to the position of vice president, sales and marketing.