- Details
- Category: Industry News
Elkhart, Indiana — Midwest Automotive Designs, a leading provider of customized luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, announced that Harry Schmink has joined the company as CEO and board member. Schmink, a highly experienced automotive industry executive, spent the previous six years as president of DACCO, a nationwide distributor of automotive aftermarket parts.
Schmink joins an established management team that includes the founder, Tim Gray, who will stay on in a leadership role as president. Gray, who founded Midwest Automotive Designs in 2004, says, "We are excited to welcome Harry to Midwest Automotive Designs. Our ability to attract an automotive industry executive with Harry's track record and knowledge reflects Midwest Auto's potential for continued strong growth. We look forward to his leadership as we execute the strategies to enhance our already leading position in the luxury automotive conversion industry."
"I am impressed with Midwest Auto's growth in recent years, which results directly from their very high quality products,” says Schmink. “The quality of this entire organization is reflected in its being named to the 2014 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in the United States, and in its celebrating the recent completion of its 3,000th unit. The company has an exceptional foundation in place that will enable us to accelerate our expansion. I look forward to working with Tim and the entire Midwest Automotive team. Together, we will continue to focus relentlessly on our customers and deliver industry-leading products and customer service."
Visit midwestautomotivedesigns.com for more information.
[CD0914]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
Shrewsbury, Mass. — Knight’s Airport Limousine Service has partnered with the American Cancer Society on a campaign to promote prostate cancer awareness and raise funds toward researching the disease. Throughout the month of September, Knight’s Airport Limousine Service van drivers will swap their trademark red polo shirts for blue, while town car and limo drivers will don blue ties. Blue is the color most commonly associated with prostate cancer awareness.
“We are pleased to help promote prostate cancer awareness,” says Denise Kapulka, sales manager at Knight’s. “Cancer has affected many of our drivers, families, and friends. Any part we can take to promote awareness and early detection could make a positive impact toward changing lives for the better.”
The Hogan family, who owns the business, is hopeful that the wardrobe change will spark conversation between repeat passengers and new customers and drivers, and added drivers will have on board brochures with information on prostate cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society’s “Cancer Facts and Figures 2014,” more than 5,000 Massachusetts men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and more than 600 men in the state will die from the disease.
“This is a truly unique grassroots awareness campaign, and we’re proud to partner with a local business that has always been committed to serving the community,” says Patti McKone, a Worcester resident and senior community engagement representative with the American Cancer Society. “If the uniform change is able to start some conversations between Knight’s predominately male staff of drivers and passengers and just one man is encouraged to have an exam that turns out to be lifesaving, it’s an overwhelming success.”
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that men have a chance to make an informed decision with their health care provider about whether to be screened for prostate cancer. The decision should be made after getting information about the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits of prostate cancer screening. Men should not be screened unless they have received this information.
The discussion about screening should take place at age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and are expected to live at least 10 more years. For those at high risk of developing prostate cancer, they should be screened starting at age 45. This includes African Americans and men who have a first-degree relative (father, brother, or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65). This discussion should take place at age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age).
Visit knightslimo.com for more information.
[CD0914]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. — Pow Wow Smart, a meetings industry software company offering cutting-edge, cloud-based ground transportation management solutions, announced the appointment of Grant Snider, DMCP, to its Advisory Board. Grant will offer strategic guidance based on his thirty plus years of Destination Management, technology and meetings industry experience. This will be critical as the company adapts its offerings for the unique needs of every segment of the meetings industry and prepares for the next phase of triple-digit growth and expansion.
Grant sold his stake in JPdL Destination Management, Canada's largest DMC company, earlier this year.
"We are excited to have Grant on our team,” says Evan Michaels, Pow Wow CEO. After meeting Grant last year, at the ADME International Conference in Washington, we knew he would be perfect for this role. Technology and meetings are in his DNA, and he will give us great insight to enhance our platform for DMCs and other sectors of the business meetings industry." Their next industry appearance will be at IMEX America in Las Vegas this October 14-16.
Grant is past Chair of the Financial & Insurance Conference Planners (ficpnet.com) Hospitality Partners Advisory Council, past President of the Association of Destination Management Executive International (admei.org) and is currently serving on the board of directors of the Business Events Industry Coalition of Canada (beicc.com). He holds the industry-recognized Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) designation and is the winner of multiple industry awards.
Visit powwowsmart.com for more information.
[CD0914]