From left to right: Jim Rickoff, Steve Fox and Amada Goyette
 

The Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA) has announced new appointments, including the news that longtime president/CEO Jim Rickoff has retired from his role. He will remain on board as an advisor and special projects coordinator for a period to be determined.

Rickoff joined the industry in 1984 with Goodson Shop Supplies in the technical service department, before being promoted to a sales manager and later serving on the Board of Directors at AERA, according to the AERA announcement.

"My world really changed in 1999 when I went to work at AERA in Marketing. Now, ending my career as the president/CEO of AERA for the past 16 years––priceless!" said Rickoff in a release.

During his tenure with AERA, Rickoff helped the AERA team create several programs, including the Prosis Pro, an engine specification software program that's still in use today; the online engine machinist training/certification program; the engine professional magazine still in distribution today; the Engine Rebuilders Educational Foundation (EREF), which establishes scholarships and awards grants to those in the industry; and countless technical and skills conferences, workshops, manuals, and more.

Longtime AERA employee Steve Fox––who brings more than 40 years of experience in the engine rebuilding and performance industry, including 30 years with AERA––has been appointed to the role of president/CEO.

"Steve is such a familiar face at AERA; the transition will be seamless," said Rickoff. "I couldn't be prouder of [the AERA] team. The job they have done to get us this far is truly amazing. They will lead us into the next chapter and I have no doubt it will be great!"

In addition, AERA has also appointed Amanda Goyette to vice president/corporate secretary. She will assist Fox in his role as president/CEO. Goyette joined AERA in 2014 as a communication and circulation specialist, later moving into IT and Human Resources, before most recently serving as an administrative assistant for the president and operations manager.

AERA is a network of professional engine builders, rebuilders and installers with headquarters in Cary, Illinois. AERA is represented at the PRI Show, this year December 10-12, downtown Indianapolis, with its AERA Engine Professional Industry Conference (EPIC) event hosted on the Wednesday before the Show doors open.

For more information, visit aera.org/epic.