The Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada) is announcing the election of three new directors to the 2024-2025 AIA Canada Board of Directors, as well as further changes to its Board during the 82nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on April 10th, 2024.
The event was held virtually to ensure all member representatives from across the country could participate.
New directors
The newly elected members of the Board of Directors are:
Costa Haitas, President, The Mufflerman
Costa Haitas’ journey in the auto care industry began in his father’s garage, instilling in him a deep-rooted passion for the industry from a young age.
He further solidified his expertise by graduating from the Automotive Business School of Canada (ABSC) at Georgian College in 2006 and later obtained a bachelor’s degree in automotive management and business administration from Northwood University.
Costa’s experience spans various facets of the auto care industry, including wholesale tires, auto parts, and automotive repair operations. His strategic vision, coupled with a profound understanding of the industry, has been instrumental in driving The Mufflerman’s success and establishing it as a prominent player in the industry.
Craig Jalbert, Senior Manager USA/Canada National Accounts, 3M
Craig Jalbert joined 3M in 2004 as a sales representative, later advancing to roles in business development and sales management. Excited to grow in the industry, he transitioned into the 3M Canadian Head Office, leading the launch of PPS 2.0 as the AAD Paint & Finish Marketer, in which he received a Marketing Excellence Award.
In 2019, Craig became the Business Manager for 3M Canada, overseeing sales and marketing across the country. As of January 2024, he was promoted to Senior Manager of National Accounts spanning across the United States of America and Canada.
Chris Kinghorn, Vice President, Strategy & Growth, UAP Inc.
Chris Kinghorn is a senior executive with a depth of experience in strategy, sales and operations management, and leadership in the automotive aftermarket industry.
His journey began working in OEM dealerships, and in 2004, Chris transitioned to the aftermarket. Currently serving as the Vice President of Strategy & Growth at UAP Inc., Chris plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s future.
You can find the full biographies of the new board members in the 2024 Nominating Committee Report, available for free on the AIA Canada website.
The new directors will serve on the AIA Canada Board of Directors until the 2027 AGM.
Changes to the Executive Committee
The AIA Canada Board of Directors has appointed the following members as the Executive Committee:
Chair: Ryan Bruno, President & CEO, CSN Collision
Ryan Bruno is President and CEO of CSN Collision, a collision repair network operating in Canada, the United States of America and Europe. Throughout his career, Ryan has held progressively senior roles at several leading organizations, including the Bank of Canada, TD Securities, Bell Canada, and Definity Insurance. Working in a management capacity at his family’s collision repair business throughout high school and university gave Ryan a strong understanding of and passion for the industry. This passion led him to join CSN Collision as Chief Financial Officer in 2018, and where he later became President and CEO in 2020.
Past Chair: Shannon Spano, Vice President, Sales, Wakefield Canada Inc.
Shannon Spano joined Wakefield Canada in 2006, and throughout her career, she has held progressive positions within the organization, including category management, national account management, retail sales manager, and her current role, vice president of sales. During her time in industry, Shannon has been recognized for her leadership, commitment to the industry, and advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and wider communities.
First Vice Chair: Tony Kuczynski, President and CEO, Mister Transmission
Tony Kuczynski started his career as a technician with Cummins diesel engines, and after completing his Master of Business Administration (MBA), he went on to work in senior leadership roles at Canadian and United States based companies, such as CarQuest Autoparts, Canadian Tire, and Ace Hardware, focusing on sales, operations, and business growth.
AIA Canada would like to take this opportunity to thank former directors Jason Yurchak and Derek Suen for their commitment and service to the Board.
The remaining AIA Canada Board members and terms that were voted on at the last AGM will remain in place.
