Electrical Rebuilders Association Board Meets in Kansas City By Traci Matt STAFF WRITER Sandwiched between the Harley tour, booth set up, selling and buying, and seminars, the Electrical Rebuilder’s Association (ERA) Board found time for two meetings during the ERA North American Trade Show last month in Kansas City. Discussion ranged from finances and dues to recruiting and long range goals during the short meetings. Secretary Bob Thomas reported on membership, which totaled 320 active members prior to the show weekend. Treasurer Chris Thompson reported that the financial status of the association is good. A financial statement will be made available later on the Electrical Rebuilder’s Exchange Network (EREN) as well as the Exchange newspaper. The ERA Training Program was also discussed with the possibility of a two- day seminar being considered. “This would include electrical basics, possibly marketing and management, as well as the new technical information. Rebuilders could sign up for one day or two. I think this is a great idea,’ said ERA founder and board member Polly Shea. Board member Mark Hoogterp was encouraged by the meetings and the weekend. “Going forward, we believe that for rebuilding companies to be successful requires them to be proactive, which includes staying up to date on training, new products and technologies, and net- working with their peers and vendors,” said Hoogterp. “This is the value of the association…and as it grows, the value to the membership will increase with it.” Board members who were able to attend include: Alan Campbell, Ron Carlson, Ronnie Charnes, Joe Davis, Mike Dietrich, Bill Ehrlich, Dave Ellis, Henry Henke, Hoogterp, Dennis Jacinto, Alan Melton, Jody Nava, Ton Reusser, Mike Schroeder, Shea, Dan Smith, Thomas, Thompson, Kenny Turner, Dick Vensel, and Bob Wagner. The board unanimously agreed to move the date of the annual ERA Show from fall to spring. The 2004 show will be held in May in the Cincinnati, Ohio metro area, with all subsequent shows to be held in May as well. In order to accommodate two addi- tional members who would represent Canada, the board voted unanimously to change its structure from a 24-person to a 26-person assembly. The following were then nominated to the ERA Advisory Board: Robert Diamond, SWS, Downsview, Ontario, Canada Fraser Cox, Quinte Alternator & Starter Ltd., Belleville, Ontario, Canada Alan “AJ” Campbell, Avenue M Alternator & Starter, Temple, Texas Henry Henke, United Starter & Alternator, Lowell, Ind. Larry Hagemeister, Hagemeister Auto Electric, Lebanon, Ore. Kenny Turner, C.C. Battery, Corpus Christi, Texas Dennis Jacinto, Lester Catalog, Newcastle, Calif. Jim Talsma, Adema Alternator & Starter Service, Coopersville, Mich. The following were also nominated to serve on the ERA Board of Directors: Alan Campbell, Regional Vice-President, South Central Region Henry Henke, Regional Vice-President, North Central Region. All nominations and _ present officers were passed unanimously to serve through their current terms of office. Board members Juan Grube, Rob Buksar, and Dave Claybaugh stepped down. The next meeting was scheduled for January 2004 in Orlando, Fla. ERA Board of directors: (1 to r) Bob Wagner, Polly Shea, Bob Thomas, Mike Schroeder, Alan Melton, Henry Henke, Jody Nava, Chris Thompson, Dan Smith, and Alan Campbell. Jim Thomas not present.)