ARA names new president

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) has named a new president. Eric Wilbert of Wilbert’s Premium Auto Parts, Rochester, New York, was formally confirmed as president during the Association’s 81^st Annual Convention and Exposition in Reno, Nevada, Oct. 24.

Wilbert brings decades of experience in the industry, the ARA says, and has served on ARA’s executive committee since 2021.

“The ARA has been advocating on behalf of the professional automotive recycler for over 80 years; it is my privilege to be a part of the executive committee and continue this legacy,” Wilbert says. “I am honored and humbled to serve our membership and the industry during my year as president.”

Wilbert’s Premium Auto Parts was founded in 1952 and boasts more than 230 employees working at four full-service locations and three half-service locations. The company also operates a full-service retail tire facility and a Christmas tree farm in the Rochester area.

Wilbert grew up across the street from the family’s original location. As a child, he often assisted his family at Wilbert's and joined the business in an official capacity after college, gathering experience in a variety of roles.

While overseeing shipping and dispatch, Wilbert eventually transferred to the family’s third location in Williamson, New York, as manager, also serving as manager for the company’s first self-serve location. Today, Wilbert is the director of self-service operations, overseeing the company’s three self-service yards in western New York.

In addition to his responsibilities with the ARA, Wilbert currently serves as a board member for the Automotive Recyclers Association of New York (ARANY). He served as president of ARANY from 2019-2022 where he began to show interest in working for associations that have supported his family and the industry for nearly a century, he says.

“I am excited to work with Eric this coming year and have no doubt that he will do his best to represent the ARA membership at large,” ARA Executive Director Vince Edivan says. “Eric is thoughtful, decisive and holds himself and those around him to the highest standards. He is approachable [and] a great collaborator, and I know many of our self-service members are excited about the unique perspective he brings to the office as president.”