Norm Wright speaks on Government Affairs at the ARA Board Meeting.

Paul Davis, A-Plus Parts & Salvage, Inc., Wichita, KS, both became ARA Lifetime Honorary Members. In a fun turn of events, Chair Shannon Nordstrom presented a new CAR award to ARA CAR Member of the Year, Michael Carcone, Carcone’s Auto Recycling, Aurora, Ontario in Canada. The new award is an embellished rotor, inspired by the late Past President Randy Reitman who had a strong vision for the CAR program. The recipient will hold the award for one year, and then present it to the next recipient at the next convention, and so on.

Closing the evening, 2014-15 ARA President Ricky

Young, Young’s Auto Center & Salvage, made his final remarks, noting that he thoroughly enjoyed his year at the helm, and would miss the experience, stat- ing it was a highlight of his professional career. Incoming President Mike Swift, Swift’s Trails End Auto and Truck Salvage, Inc., remarked, “It is such an honor to be elected as your next President. To be the third representative from the State of Iowa is truly an honor. This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly, and I will endeavor to represent the ARA with the utmost transparency. Traveling through the U.S. these past years on behalf of the ARA have enabled me to meet with auto recyclers who are truly passion- ate about our industry. This is one of the most crucial times to be a member of the Association. The support that we can give to each other is never more important than in these times.”

Memorial Moments

Swift pointed out the absence of four important people to the ARA. “We have lost some special people this past year that I would like to recognize,” Swift continued. “They are all great supporters and very helpful to both myself and the organization. Please recognize Mark Buessing – to whom the word ‘no’ was not an answer when he was out fundraising for ARA – Randy Reitman, Bob Phelps, and Jeff Kantor. They will all be missed.” All four men were great leaders within the

36 Automotive Recycling | January-February 2016

industry. Interestingly, Mark Buessing, President of the ARA Scholarship Foundation for 10 years, tire- lessly raised money to fund these memorial scholar- ships for others.

The most touching portion of the evening came when the families of the fallen ARA members each received a plaque to honor their loved one. Newly- established funds are the Mark Buessing Memorial Scholarship, Randy Reitman Memorial Scholarship and Billy Standridge Memorial Scholarship. The Jeff Kantor Memorial Scholarship was established in 2014. The respect and admiration was thick in room. “It’s truly an honor to have scholarships established in memory of these gentlemen,” says Badillo, ARA liai- son to the Scholarship Foundation. “It’s a testament to the type of people they were known to be. I hope between the hugs from friends, the pictures displayed, and the success of the fundraiser, and more, that these families really felt the love for those they lost.”

Super Donations

Raising money for the ARA Foundations (Scholarship and Educational on alternate years) is an important part of each convention. Larry DeMik of Supershear supports both foundation raffles year after year. DeMik is one vendor that has not missed a contribution in 11 years. Thus far, he has donated over $50,000 in equipment to help raise money for educating the children of auto recyclers and training automotive recyclers.

“I purchased Supershear in 2004, and became an ARA member and exhibitor at the trade show every year since. We’ve been donating a Supershear machine since 2005,” he notes. “I’ve been blessed. I have a great wife, great family, and a great business. I try to give, as all I have has been given to me by God to use while I live on this earth.”

The results of the ARA Scholarship Foundation efforts are in: Generous ARA members pulled together to raise $73,534 for post-secondary scholarships that go to children of the auto recycling facility workforce.