Bret Buike
Shannon Nordstrom
Emil Nusbaum
JC Cahill
Lisa Cooper
Reed Schram
Scott Kooienga
Austin Rose
Amber Kendrick
Jer Banta
Mike Kunkel
Bret Buike
Shannon Nordstrom
Shannon Nordstrom is Vice President and General Manager of Nordstrom’s Automotive, where he is responsible leading 80 great team members. While he grew up following founders Art and Marie Nordstrom, Shannon joined the family business full time in 1988 after a short stint in technical school for telecommunications. Nordstrom’s has since grown into numerous divisions. Nordstrom’s has Full-Service Auto Recycling featuring Recycled Original Equipment Used, OEM surplus, Remanufactured and new alternative parts. The other divisions include Ewe Pullet Self-Service Used Auto Parts, Nordstrom’s Repairables and their Installation and Diagnostic service center.
Shannon along with co-host Russ Evans and Chris Carter produce and host a nationally syndicated radio show. The show started in 1990 and has run weekly for the past 33 years. The Show name is “The Under the Hood with the Motor Medics,” and is broadcast on more than 250 stations across the country, along with podcast and now video with their new on-site production studio. He has chaired the ARA Certification Committee for over 20 years and is the current Secretary for ARA’s Executive Committee. Shannon is one of the founding members of the VRG and VRG Automotive LLC. He was honored as ARA Member of the year in both 2015 and 2021. Nordstrom’s finished a major overhaul of their country facility in 2018, built “In the country” on the family dairy farm. Nordstrom’s was the Star Certified Auto Recycler for 2018-19 for ARA.
Emil Nusbaum
Emil Nusbaum is the Vice President of Strategy, Government and Regulatory Affairs for the Automotive Recyclers Association. He also serves as Co-Chair of NAATBatt’s Policy and Regulatory Committee. Prior to joining ARA, Emil was Policy Counsel for the National Vehicle Service, which is widely recognized as the world leader in providing unique vehicle theft, vehicle fraud, and asset protection solutions to the law enforcement community, vehicle finance industry, and insurance and rental car industries.
Throughout his career, Emil has worked in many areas of the automotive industry in ways that have allowed him to focus on the intersection of law, policy, privacy, technology, and the entirety of product lifecycle. Emil frequently works on crafting policy recommendations and best practices with federal and state government. This includes policies relating to a diverse range of subjects including electric vehicle batteries, pollution control, catalytic converter theft, vehicle data access, vehicle exports, and other automotive related issues.
JC Cahill
JC Cahill is the CEO and Co‑founder of Vin Match Pro, an industry speaker, consultant, and lifelong recycler with deep roots in automotive recycling. After earning his MBA from the University of Vermont, he built a strong corporate foundation, serving as National Sales Manager for GreenLeaf Auto Recycling and Regional Director for B&R Auto Wrecking, and later developing the industry’s first hybrid self‑service/full‑service superstore for Schnitzer Steel.
In 2011, JC launched New England Auto and Truck Recyclers (NEATR) with no outside funding and grew it into a $30‑million‑per‑year operation before selling to Fenix Parts in 2021. Known for his leadership, sales expertise, and ability to build and motivate teams, JC’s passion is helping others grow. At his core, he’s a builder of people, driven by one goal: to make everyone he works with just a little better than they were before.
Lisa Cooper
Reed Schram
Scott Kooienga
Austin Rose
Amber Kendrick
Jer Banta
Jer Banta, a respected leader in the auto parts industry with more than 30 years of experience, has accepted an opportunity with PTC. His career began in 1993 as an entry-level delivery driver at Grand Central Auto Parts and reflects a steady rise built on deep industry knowledge and strong leadership.
Over the years, Jer advanced through roles including Salesperson, Sales Manager, and General Manager at Greenleaf Auto Parts. His experience spans both privately held businesses and consolidators, giving him a comprehensive understanding of operations, sales performance, and organizational growth.
In 2015, Jer joined Bessler Auto Parts, where he led the development of a new facility in Northeast Ohio. Under his leadership, the operation expanded from a small office into a fully operational dismantling facility within two years. He also played a key role in aligning and energizing the sales teams across all Bessler locations, contributing to the company’s acquisition by RTP in 2023.
Known for his focus on people and culture, Jer emphasizes clear expectations, measurable performance indicators, and alignment between individual contributions and company goals. He has further strengthened his leadership expertise through advanced training at University of Cincinnati, programs with The Profit Team and Southwest Consulting, and active participation in the Vistage leadership group. His appointment at PTC reflects his longstanding commitment to growth, operational excellence, and industry leadership.
Mike Kunkel
