concerns, interests and suggestions with Association leadership and staff about how to grow this wonderful profession.

“In my first address to you as ARA President about this time last year, I spoke of my plans to help strengthen ARA through building partnerships and promoting certification. With the help of leadership, colleagues and staff, your Association has made great strides on both of these initiatives this past year.” MacDonald went on to explain how existing part- nerships had been strengthened and that emerging partnerships with auto recycler communities and automakers and insurers had been further nurtured through various trips to international and national affiliate chapter meetings and industry conferences. “Of course, it is the connections that exist between ARA and the state affiliate chapters that provide us with much of the in-the-field experiences that help us reach out to partners – both on this continent and others,” said MacDonald.

“My other focus for this past year was to act on my firm belief that to succeed in today’s increas- ingly transparent and standards- oriented business market, the only way to stay ahead of the curve is to be the best, offer something more, and become certified. And I am proud to know that earlier this year, ARA unveiled its updat- ed CAR application and auditing process to make the certification even more valuable and accessible to ARA members. Your CAR

42 Automotive Recycling | January-February 2015

Committee, with the help of expert consultants, developed the new interactive point-based CAR appli- cation so that you can continue to be competitive in the very crowded parts repair market of today.” MacDonald encouraged recyclers to stay engaged with what is going on in the industry.

“I am also proud to tell you that your ARA today has a strong infrastructure and a stable membership base,” said MacDonald. “But to truly represent you in the future we will need the commitment of all of you to grow to successfully meet the chal- lenges and take advantage of the opportunities that knock on our door every day.” ARA’s 2014-15 President, Ricky

Young, Young’s Auto Center & Salvage in Benson, NC, took the gavel from Ed MacDonald and addressed the crowd.

“I wouldn’t be here tonight if it weren’t for Gary Bevell,” said Young. “Nobody is more generous than auto recyclers and I am humbled to know each one of you. You always step up to the plate when called upon to help the industry or to help your friends. I’m probably one of the older presi- dents and the younger guys, like Doug Reinert, have so much knowledge but I hope to bring my years of experience to make my contribution to the best that I can in this role of President. We’re an automobile advocacy group, but we are also a lot of other things. We’re competitors and we’re friends and I think that’s the way it should be. All of our ancestors came from different places but we’re all in the same boat. I’m sure this year some- one will say that the Executive