2019 SEMA Reps of the Year, and seven time recipients!
2019 CAN Manufacturers Rep of the Year, and two time recipients!
With over 50 years of experience as Manufacturers Reps in the field, Kunzman and Associates’ 30-member expert staff covers the geographic area of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
Michael A. Kunzman and Associates represents some of the finest manufacturers in the industry to every level of distribution including warehouse distributors, retailers, mail order companies, OEM, expediters, jobbers, installers, speed shops, engine builders, and specialty customizers.
As manufacturers reps, we are in constant contact with our customers by assisting them with merchandising, advertising, product displays and setup, warranty, and warehousing of products. As a measure of our performance, Michael A. Kunzman and Associates has been honored seven times as the Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year by the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA), the most recent being 2019, and as the 2019 CAN Manufacturers Rep of the Year (two-time recipient).
Locations
With offices strategically placed throughout our territory, we enable and ensure that our sales force can quickly be in contact with the region’s key players. We also cover the territory representing manufacturers at events, shows, as well with the customers and jobbers.
Meet The Team
Michael Kunzman
President & Founder
Background: Michael Kunzman has worked in the automotive industry for over 56 years. He got his start at JC Penney Company as a Buyer for their Auto Parts Stores in 1965, as he developed their performance parts program called Penny’s AFX. In 1966, Michael took a brief hiatus as an active Navy Sailor, repairing and maintaining fighter jets for US Navy Aircraft Carriers. From there, Michael served as Director of Sales and Marketing for Schiefer Manufacturing starting in 1968, and VP and GM of Gratiot Auto Supply. In 1971 he founded Kunzman & Associates, which Michael has been president of for over 50 years. Michael’s an avid drag racer, hotrodder, and all around automotive enthusiast.
Experience: Michael is an active member of MRN, HRIA, PAC and the SEMA Scholarship Fund
Recognitions: SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (1982, 1983, 1990, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019); PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019); 2018 MRN Hall of Fame Inductee
Jeanne Kunzman
Background: Jeanne’s career started managing accounts payables and receivables in the medical industry, before starting with Kunzman and Associates in 1980. In 1992 Jeanne became the CFO at Kunzman, and, alongside Michael, has helped run the company since.
Experience: Jeanne joined Kunzman & Associates in 1980
Recognitions: SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (1982, 1983, 1990, 2010, 2013 and 2016); PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016)
Tom Van Buren
Background: Tom has been an automotive enthusiast his entire life. His first love was a 1963 4-speed 409 Impala convertible, with a 1967 GTO coming in at a close second. Tom began his career in the automotive industry at Ford Motor Company in Detroit.
Experience: Tom has been a manufacturers rep for over 35 years, joining Kunzman & Associates in 1975
Recognitions: SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (1982, 1983, 1990, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019); PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019)
Territory Coverage: North Indiana, Illinois
Phyllis Militello
Background: Phyllis joined the Kunzman team in 1982, and over the years has taken on many important roles within the company. She works closely with OEM’s, and handles sales, customer service and all of the administrative responsibilities.
Experience: Gratiot Auto Supply, buyer (7 years); joined Kunzman & Associates in 1982
Recognitions: Grant Outstanding Service Award (1997); SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (1982, 1983, 1990, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019); PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019)
Bob Harrell
Background: Bob is a third generation automotive industry professional – his grandfather worked at Packard and Studabaker and his father worked for Ford, GM, Chrysler and numerous suppliers. At 19 years old, Bob joined Ford while still in college, and spent nearly 13 years there in various positions with the Lincoln and Ford division in sales and marketing. Bob and his father built his first hot rod, a ’76 Grand Prix, when Bob was just 15. Bob enjoyed road racing for a few years with his ’96 Cobra, and as had many performance vehicles since then. He currently tries to keep his ’49 Ford pickup road worthy, and is working on a car with his dad again…a ’68 Fairline fastback.
Experience: Bob has over 30 years experience in the automotive industry. Ford Motor Company, sales and marketing (12 years); RJ Harrell and Associates, automotive consulting and financial statement analysis (2 years); joined Kunzman & Associates in 1999
Recognitions: Auto Meter Sales Volume Awards (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013); Favorite Sales Rep by Performance Business Magazine (2010); SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year (2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019); PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019)
Territory Coverage: Michigan, Ohio
Jon Kunzman
Background: Jon grew up in and around the performance industry, and received his bachelors degree from Western Michigan University. He joined Kunzman & Associates in 2008 and handles various accounts and jobbers throughout Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2008); active member of YEN, MRN, ETTN
Recognitions: SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year (2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019); SEMA 35 Under 35 (2014); Derale Performance Rep Award (2014); PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019)
Territory Coverage: Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania
Cary Exline
Background: Cary’s passion for performance began as a child, riding in the backseat of his father’s ’69 AXM watching the streetlights clip by while heading north on Mound Road. This passion was later solidified by a Orange D/E gas ’60 vette.
Experience: Cary joined Kunzman & Associates in 1988
Recognitions: SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (1990, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019); Edelbrock Rep of the Year (2006, 2008); Hedman Hedders MVP (1997); Auto Meter MVP (1992); Auto Meter Sales Award (2010); Auto Meter Salesman of the Year (2013); PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019); Kunzman and Associates Manufacturers Choice Rep of the Year (2016)
Territory Coverage: Michigan, Ohio
Adam Brown
Background: Adam grew up around muscle cars and drag strips. Sixties era Corvettes were a typical sight around the Brown household, which sparked his interest in the high performance aftermarket. Adam graduated from the University of Michigan and studied for his Master’s at Oakland University.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2011); active member of YEN
Recognitions: YEN Fellowship Award Recipient (2013); SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year (2013, 2016 and 2019); PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019)
Territory Coverage: Michigan, Ohio
Jason Sugden
Background: Jason joined the Kunzman Team in 2004 after graduating from UTI. Jason has a very technical background and is hands on with all of the vehicles that come through the shop. He is a wealth of knowledge on the automotive aftermarket having installed so many parts from different vendors over the years. Not only is Jason a great mechanic, but has a number of different roles with the company. As a rep he calls on many engine and speed shops. He also builds and maintains all of the display boards and trailers that we take to races and events. And speaking of racing… he is a proud member Kunzman Racing where he works on and maintains the 71 Nova drag car driven by Michael. In addition to all that, and working on everyone else’s projects, Jason continues to work on his daily driver – a 2006 SRT8 Grand Cherokee with a 426 that he completely rebuilt.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2004)
Recognitions: SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year (2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019); PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019)
Territory Coverage: Michigan, Ohio
Jeff Martin
Background: After completing degrees in both Computer Science and Applied Business, Jeff joined Kunzman & Associates in 2002. Jeff worked at Whirlpool where he helped to develop their internal website, worked with IT and provided exceptional customer service. Jeff has always had a passion for muscle cars. Some of his favorites include the 1969 Chevy Camaro, 1957 Chevy Convertible and the 1969 Chevy Nova. Jeff is also a NHRA fan and appreciates the time and workmanship that goes into every high performance vehicle.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2002)
Recognitions: SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year (2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019); PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019)
Territory Coverage: North Indiana, Illinois
Mike Sherrill
Background: Mike has worked in the automotive aftermarket industry for 37 years. Mike enjoys attending car shows and experiencing the innovative changes taking place in the automotive market – which all started in Detroit!
Experience: Mike has worked in the automotive industry since 1973. He joined Kunzman & Associates in 1987
Recognitions: Grant Rep of the Year (1993); Gorilla Salesman of the Year (1993); Viam Corp Power Player of the Year (1993): SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year (1990, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019); PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019)
Territory Coverage: Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia
Ron Piasecki
Background: Ron’s interest and passion for hot rods and motorsports started a 5 years old when his brother introduced him to the raw power of a ’64 Impala with a 327 “3 on the tree.” He began his career working for drag racers at a service station that did performance work. There, he was able to learn the importance of using the right parts when building a car. First generation Camaro’s have always been Ron’s favorite, but he also enjoys helping friends and his son work on their car and Jeep projects.
Experience: Byron Dragstrip, NHRA Certified Tech Director (2 years); Media Relations, Advertising & Marketing Director (10 years); joined Kunzman & Associates in 2004
Recognitions: Edelbrock Sales Representative of the Year (2009); SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year (2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019); PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019)
Territory Coverage: Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin
Skip Scafidi
Background: Skip has worked in the automotive industry since 1972 as a regional manager with Grant Thrush, and eventually Mr Gasket. In 1984, Skip became a manufacturers rep, managing the Northeast accounts. His passion with performance parts has extended to truck, Jeep and hard parts product offerings as well.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2014)
Recognitions: PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019); SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year (2016 and 2019)
Territory Coverage: Northeast (CT, DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VY, VA)
Tim Carnacchi
Background: Tim’s experience in the automotive industry began in 1989, where he worked as a store manager at an auto parts store. In 1994 he started working as a buyer for Murray’s Discount Auto Stores. He joined the Kunzman & Associates team in 2006.
Tim also holds certificates as an ASE Certified Parts Specialist in: customer service, brakes, engines, electrical, ride control, fuel and emissions, and heating and cooling.
Experience: Auto parts store (5 years); Murray’s Discount Auto Stores, Buyer (12 years); Kunzman & Associates (2006)
Recognitions: SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year (2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019); PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019)
Jay Lambert
Background: A lover of all things automotive, he began working on cars when he was about 14. Since then he has developed a passion for performance and fabrication and has built numerous turbocharged sport compacts and a few Jeeps as well. Jay spent many years at a small speed shop, starting out doing installations and fabrication and eventually moved into purchasing and wholesale sales before joining Kunzman & Associates.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2014)
Recognitions: PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019); SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year (2016 and 2019)
Territory Coverage: Northeast (CT, DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VY, VA)
John Iannotte
Background: John Iannotte has been working in the automotive industry for over 45 years now. He started out working in a body shop in Kannapolis, N.C. at the age of 13 where he met Bob Barker, one of his life mentors. Bob was instrumental in guiding John towards professional sales as Bob had started working for the Mr. Phone/Mr. Gasket Co.’s. John was hired on in 1974 as the first service Rep for the Mr. Phone Organization calling on jobbers in the Southeast.
Bob and John left the Mr. Phone Organization in late ’77 to start their own Rep Agency; Bob Barker Marketing & Sales. John went back to the Mr. Gasket lines in 1981. At Bob’s death in 1989, it was Bob Barker’s wishes that John come back and take the reins again which John did. By 2001, John and team had built a very strong Rep group in the Southeast. That spring, the N.A. Williams, Co. offered John the opportunity to merge the Bob Barker Marketing company into their company as their Performance and Truck Accessory division. John then joined Kunzman and Associates (2015) to head up the Southeast division.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2015) Active member of MRN, LTAA, WTC. CPMR (Certified Professional Manufacturers Rep) Certification (2001-2003)
Recognitions: SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year (1997) Guitarist for the SEMA Industry Band “Ledfoot”; PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019); SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year (2016 and 2019)
Territory Coverage: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia
RJ Sebastian
Background: RJ has been around cars his entire life, starting with his Dad, who used to race circle track in the early 70’s. His father was always working on and rebuilding cars, including restoring a 1967 Austin Healey Sprite, which happened to be the first car RJ drove, at about 10 years old. RJ got into the automotive industry in 1996 when he started at Jegs as a technical sales consultant and within a year worked his way up to supervisor of tech sales and customer service. In 2007 he was promoted to a Buyer in the purchasing department until he moved to Florida in 2013 where he managed a Firestone store. In 2016 he joined Kunzman and Associates.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2016), Firestone (2013-2016), Jegs (1996-2013)
Recognitions: PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2016 and 2019); SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year (2016 and 2019)
Territory Coverage: Alabama, Florida, Georgia
Michelle Campbell
Background: Michelle joined Kunzman & Associates in 2017 having previously been an office manager for 5 years for an automotive aftermarket rep firm working directly with OEM’s, WD’s and Retailers.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2017), Eastman Kosutic Hershey (2012)
Recognitions: SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year (2019); PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2019)
Duane Blalock
Background: Racing and cars has always been a love instilled in Duane from his father Hank Blalock, who was elected into the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. He started working in gas stations in high school and built and owned many cars & trucks. During college he worked at a Chevrolet dealership in the parts department. After college, Duane spent many great years with Honest Charley Speed Shop’s wholesale division, as outside salesman, helping Speed Distributors earn SEMA WD of the Year. Next up, Duane worked for Dana Corporation as District Sales Manager and handled the NASCAR sponsorship for the Victor, Perfect Circle and Spicer brands, and received training at all of the Dana schools in engine, chassis and driveline. Peterson Publishing was his next stop as an Account Executive for Hot Rod, Car Craft, Circle Track, 4Wheel & Off Road, and the other car and truck publications. As a Sales Rep for Bill Perry & Associates, Duane received numerous awards from manufactures and WD’s for sales and service. The last few years Duane owned Rep Performance Marketing Inc, before joining Kunzman and Associates.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2017), Rep Perfomance Marketing, Bill Perry & Associates, Dana Corporation
Recognitions: PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2019); SEMA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year (2019)
Territory Coverage: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee
Jeff Santangelo
Background: Jeff grew up surrounded by trucks, and has owned 4WD trucks and jeeps through-out his life. He ran sectioned truck pulls and has attended countless off-road events. Jeff has attended several racing schools; the highlight being Rod Hall’s off-road racing school. Jeff boasts 30 years worth of experience in the performance aftermarket, including 12 years in retail at a high end off road center and 18 years as a manufactures representative in the Northeast, prior to joining Kunzman and Associates. Jeff is an avid Truck And Jeep enthusiast.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2017)
Recognitions: Extang Man of Action Award (2000); Extang Road Warrior Award (2001); Extang Silver Wrench Award (2002); Sema Agency Rep of the Year (2002); Extang Rep of the Year (2004); Auto Meter Highest Sales Increase (2011); Auto Meter Rep of the year (2012)
Territory Coverage: Northeast (MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, VT)
Matt Ross
Background: A lifelong resident of Kansas City, MO Matt has had the opportunity to develop deep and lasting relationships with accounts throughout the Midwest. Matt started his automotive career working in small speed shops and then a long tenure with Reliable Automotive where he was fortunate enough to work in sales, graphic design and as an Operations Manager. An opportunity to work for several leading manufacturer rep groups as well as a Regional Sales Manager for a tuning company followed ultimately leading him back to Kunzman & Associates. Matt is very passionate about the automotive industry and is an enthusiast at heart. Having built everything from lifted trucks to rat rods to motorcycles, his varied tastes reflect his dedication to everything with an engine. When not working a car show or attending a race in the summer you will find him cruising around the lake with his wife Michelle and two dogs, Bailey and Bristol.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2018), R&R Marketing, Powerteq, Reliable Automotive
Recognitions: SEMA Agency Rep of the Year (2010, 2019- Kunzman & Associates); SEMA Rep of the Year (2015 – R&R Marketing); PWA Manufacturers Rep Agency of the Year Award (2019)
Territory Coverage: (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD)
Bill Eagan
Background: Bill Eagan’s passion for the industry began when he was growing up in Minnesota riding dirt bikes and following racing. College led him to California where he started his career in the industry at Powertrax in 1993. At Powertrax he developed his skills in sales and business operations, and his passion for the industry grew further. Bill went on to become a Manufacturer’s Representative in 1993 for Airheart Sales until joining Kunzman & Associates in September 2019. Bill enjoys riding dirt bikes in the desert with his two sons and spending time with his family.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2019), Airheart Sales, Powertrax
Recognitions:
Territory Coverage: West Coast
Steve Bornowski
Background: After owning his own businesses for over 30 years, Steve made the switch up to Automotive Aftermarket 2013 with the explosion of the Off Road LED Lighting Market. He worked both Marketing and Sales for two of the Premier Lighting companies in the United States. In mid 2019, Steve began working with Kunzman & Associates and helps cover much of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2019), Rigid LED Lighting, Baja Designs
Recognitions:
Territory Coverage: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas
Sean White
Background: Sean has over 24 years of experience in the auto aftermarket serving as a factory sales manager and manufactures representative covering the United States and Canada. A lover of all things with engines from a young age, Sean worked at service stations, auto parts counters, and repair shops during school, eventually landing fulltime in the automotive aftermarket in 1997. Over the years, he has enjoyed following NHRA and NASCAR as well as attending car shows and events with his family.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2020)
Recognitions: 2008 Hushmat Sales Rep of the Year
Territory Coverage: Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Canada
Mike Sharp
Background: Mike has been a big part of the aftermarket industry for over 30 years. He has previous experience as a sales rep, customer service, and marketing director. Most notably, Mike spent 28 years at MSD Performance working closely with professional race teams and sanctioning bodies as Race Director. He also worked as director of Powersports where he helped run sales and product development for that division of MSD. Mike is a true enthusiast and has worked on vehicles for the street and the desert. Mike loves the outdoors and currently has a 93 Ford Bronco, 2020 Toyota 4Runner, and KTM 300 dirt bike he likes to drive out in the desert and mountains.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates (2020)
Recognitions:
Territory Coverage: West Coast
Mike Maul
Background: Mike has been in the automotive industry for over 25 years. He got his start working in automotive retail stores, continuing to the WD world, and then making his way to the manufacture’s rep side of the business. Mike has worked for Reliable Automotive, various manufacturers as well as other rep groups. He is involved in Off-road/Jeep, drag racing and dirt track racing. When not working you will either find Mike at a racetrack watching NHRA, a dirt track race, a car show, off-roading or at a Hockey game, more than likely cheering on his nephews.
Experience: Kunzman & Associates, CSM, Jim Wrobleski & Co, TAG, Reliable Automotive
Recognitions: SEMA Rep Agency of the Year 2017, Extang Rep Agency of the Year 2007
Territory Coverage: MN, SD, ND, IA
Ed Monte
Background: Ed is an off-road enthusiast. From dirt bikes, buggies and pre-runners-blasting around the open desert led him to exploring what the automotive aftermarket has to offer. Since 1995 he’s been involved in all facets of Sales & Marketing on behalf of various established manufacturers all while enjoying motorsports events, trade shows, races and conferences. Relationships were built – including having Kunzman & Associates representation and support for much of the 25 years.
Experience:MSD Ignition 1995-2005, MSD Performance Group 2005-2015, COMP Performance Group 2015-2019, Auto Meter Products 2019-2020, Kunzman & Associates (2021)
Recognitions: PWA Manufacturer Liaison 2015-2016, SEMA MPMC Select Committee Member 2016-2021