NASTF names first independent shop owner as chairman

Allen Pennebaker, owner of Orinda Motors of Orinda, Calif., was elected 2014 chair of the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) board of directors, the first independent shop owner chair of NASTF since its founding in 2000. Pennebaker has served on the NASTF board for many years, however, as a representative of the Automotive Service Council of California. Changes to the NASTF bylaws were made by the NASTF board of directors in early 2013 allowing for industry-wide nominations and open elections when they go into effect Jan. 1, 2014.

Other NASTF board members elected to 2014 Officer positions include: Steve Douglas, director, environmental affairs for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers as vice chair; and John Lypen, director of industry relations for Motor Information Systems as treasurer/secretary. Charlie Gorman, executive manager of the Equipment & Tool Institute becomes the immediate past chair after having served as NASTF chair during the 2013 transition.

The new NASTF bylaws encourage industry-wide diversity for the NASTF leadership, specifying a minimum number of individuals to represent business types in eight categories. Four new members were elected to the NASTF board of directors filling four vacancies in four of those categories.

Claude Hensley, owner of Lockman Locksmith, was elected to fill the vacancy in the locksmith category. Donny Seyfer, co-owner of Seyfer Automotive, was added to complete the minimum of three independent technician/shop owner positions and will serve with previous board members 2014 chair Pennebaker and Bill Moss (owner, Euro Service Automotive) who were re-elected to terms in this category. Chris Chesney, Sr., director of professional markets for CARQUEST, was elected to represent industry educators while Karen Miller, who held that position previously, was re-elected for one year into an at-large position on the NASTF board. Mark Saxonberg, manager of alternative fuel vehicles and the environment for Toyota, was elected into the additional post designated for an OEM on the NASTF board. Saxonberg will serve with re-elected board members Douglas (2014 vice chair) and John Cabaniss (director, environment and energy of global automakers) in representing OEMs. Other members re-elected to the 15-person NASTF board include Bill Long (president, AASA) and Kathleen Schmatz (president, AAIA), both representing the parts supplier category. Doug Greenhaus (chief regulatory council, NADA) continues in his term representing the franchise dealer category. Representing the information service provider category, Scott Brown (president, iATN) continues in his three-year term while John Lypen was re-elected as a second representative in that category. Gorman received an automatic re-appointment to serve as the immediate past chair through 2014 and to represent the tool company category..