MANASSAS, VA – Professional automotive recycler Shan Lathem of Cocoa Auto Salvage in Cocoa, Florida was recently welcomed as the new President of the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA). Lathem was formally confirmed as President on September 23, 2022, during the Association’s 79th Annual Convention and Exposition held in Orlando, Florida. Lathem brings decades of experience in the industry and has served on ARA’s Executive Committee since 2019.
“ARA has an almost 80-year history of serving all automotive recyclers and I am very proud to become part of the leadership team,” said Lathem in her first remarks as Association President. “It’s a humbling experience to have the opportunity to serve our industry at this level.”
Lathem grew up in the industry, with her parents founding Cocoa Auto Salvage in 1979. After graduating from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Shan began working in the business full time and eventually took over managing all operations. She has served on the Board of the Florida Automotive Dismantlers and Recyclers Association for 10 years as well as Past President of the organization. Lathem was selected as a Regional Director and Board member for ARA in 2016 prior to her nomination to the Executive Committee. She was recently appointed by the City Council as Deputy Chairperson of the Sustainability Advisory Board for the City of Cocoa. She has also served on the Board for Recyclers Cross Dock, a transportation network, where she was one of the six founding members.
“It will be a pleasure ot work with Shan as she takes the helm of ARA leadership this year,” said ARA Executive Director, Sandy Blalock. “Shan will assume the role held by only three other women in the 80-year history of our Association. She has exhibitited her leaderhsip capabilities during her tenure on the Executive Committee of ARA over the past three years and the entire ARA team will work hard to make sure she has a very successful term as President.”
Since 1943, the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) represents an industry dedicated to the efficient removal and reuse of “green” automotive parts and the proper recycling of inoperable motor vehicles. ARA represents the interests of over 4,500 auto recycling facilities in the United States and fourteen other countries around the world. With programs such as the Certified Automotive Recycler Program (CAR), Green Recycled Parts, and other partnerships, ARA members continue to provide consumers with quality, low-cost alternatives for vehicle replacement parts, while preserving our environment for a “green” tomorrow.
To learn more about the Association, visit ARA’s Home Page at www.a-r-a.org or call (571) 208-0428.