BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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The experienced and accomplished members of AERA Board of Directors and management team have been the driving force behind the organization’s leadership for nearly a century. The AERA Board is made up of leaders from businesses both large and small, across every sector of the industry. Members of the Board provide local and global perspectives on matters of common interest to AERA members, and contribute their leadership and expertise to help guide the organization as it prepares to enter its second century.
Tony Pontillo
Chairman Tony Pontillo is the owner of Don's Machine Shop in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Don's Machine Shop specializes in automotive and diesel engines; they also rebuild starters, alternators, and driveshafts. Tony is an adjunct engine building instructor at Gateway Technical College where he has also served on the board as chairman (diesel) and advisory board (auto). Gary Lewis First Vice Chairman A noted author and instructor, Gary’s career began at an early age repairing old cars, farm equipment, and eventually as an apprenticeship machining of aircraft engine parts. Later he went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the California State University, San Jose and landed a part time teaching assignment in machine tools at De Anza College in Cupertino, California. In 1969, Gary was hired full time and began building what would become the college’s nationally recognized Machine Tool and Automotive Technologies program. In his three decades as an instructor Gary has written the seminal textbook in the field, developed new machining techniques and technologies, and earned renown as a consultant in the development of similar programs at colleges and private industries around the nation. Corey Schlegelmilch Second Vice Chairman Corey Schlegelmilch is the owner of Donrich Machine & Driveline, Inc. in Exeter, Nebraska, where they specialize in engine rebuilding of any make or model, as well as driveshaft repair. Jay Miller Treasurer Jay Miller is the president of Crankshaft Supply located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Crankshaft Supply has been repairing and machining crankshafts, cylinder heads, rods, and more for over 50 years. They are specialists in crankshafts and cylinder head repair. Dwayne Dugas Advisory Board Chairman Born and raised in New Iberia, Louisiana, Dwayne is the owner and manager of Dugas Engine Services. Established by his father in 1968, Dwayne worked with his father through high school developing a passion for engines and cars. While attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Dwayne took a job in the retail auto parts industry and later became part owner of a small chain of regional auto parts stores. After selling those stores, Dwayne served as general manager at PEP Boys and finally purchased Dugas Engine from his father in 1999. Dugas Engine performs service on automotive engines, outboard engines, small compact diesel engines on up to the mid-size diesel engines. Rick Simko AMC Chairman Rick Simko is the director of sales and marketing for Elgin Industries in Elgin, Illinois. Elgin is a manufacturer of internal engine parts, specializing in valve train. In addition to serving on the AERA Board, he was also chairman of the Engine Repower Council (ERC), a member of the AAIA show committee and a former member of the PERA executive board. Jim Rickoff AERA President Jim Rickoff is the sixth president of AERA. He has been involved in the engine building industry since graduating from Winona State University in 1982 and has been serving AERA in some capacity since 1992. Dave Capitolo Director Dave Capitolo is the department head and instructor of Automotive Technology at DeAnza College in Cupertino, California. He has been in the automotive industry since 1980 as a technician, machinist, engineer, and instructor. His previous work experience includes general automotive repair, engine machining and rebuilding, and electronic test equipment engineering. Matthew Gettelfinger Director Matt Gettelfinger is the president of Republic Diesel. He works from their main location in Louisville, Kentucky. They also have shops in Prestonsburg, Kentucky and Harrogate, Tennessee. They are an industrial engine machine shop specializing in large diesel engine cylinder blocks, crankshafts, connecting rods and camshafts. Along with engine machining, they also build drivelines, have an undercarriage repair facility and a yard truck division of their company. Mark Fellanto Director Mark Fellanto is president of Promar Engines in Paterson, New Jersey. Promar specializes in engine, crankshaft and cylinder head remanufacturing for automotive, light and medium duty diesel, classic cars, marine and high-performance. Mark was PERA's 2003 Engine Rebuilder of the Year. He also served on the PERA Board from 2001-2003. Mike Molle Director Mike Molle is the Vice President of Store Operations at Arnold Motor Supply, one of the Midwest's leading suppliers of replacement parts, paint and body supplies, and collision parts for on and off-road vehicles. Arnold Motor Supply has 57 auto parts stores across five states; 19 of those parts stores have full-service machine shops. Mike has built his 28 years in the automotive industry around the wholesale and retail channels. He's held various positions within Arnold Motor Supply starting out early in his career as a counter professional then progressing to outside sales, store and regional management. He now is a part of the company's leadership team and senior partner board. Bob Pakes Director Bob Pakes is the owner of Pakes’ Engine & Machine Inc. in Janesville, Wisconsin, where they specialize in machining and repairing gas and diesel engine components of all sizes, including heavy-duty. Mike Powell Jr. Director Mike Powell Jr. is the vice president of Bell Auto Parts in Northport, Alabama. Bell Auto Parts specializes in engine rebuilding, parts, sales and service, as well as Mitsubishi heavy sales and service. Mike is a graduate of the University of Alabama, a former commodore of the Tuscaloosa Sailing Club and is currently training to be a pilot. Kevin Roberts Director Kevin Roberts is the owner of Kevin’s Machine & Engineering in Crawfordville, Florida. Kevin's Machine & Engineering is a full service machine shop which also offers CNC machining services and engine dyno services. With over 20 years of experience, Kevin is known as a reliable and trusted engine builder and machine engineering firm. |
AERA Board Directory (PDF)
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