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Meet the 46th Annual Northwood University International Auto Show Executive Board - Show is October 2, 3, and 4

Published on 9/4/2009 10:31:22 AM
The Northwood University International Auto Show is October 2, 3, and 4.

MIDLAND, MI -- With the beginning of each school year at Northwood University comes the excitement of the Northwood University International Auto Show (NUIAS) which is held annually on the Midland, Michigan, Campus located at 4000 Whiting Drive. The 46th Annual NUIAS has been in the works since last November and is entirely student run. The show will be held on October 2, 3, and 4 and will be directed under the theme "Reinventing the Wheel: Welcome to the Next Automotive Era."

Show hours are Friday, October 2, from 1-6 p.m.; Saturday, October 3, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, October 4, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Over 65 exhibits will line the campus' Mall Walk and surrounding areas. A variety of food, information and entertainment will also be featured. The event is free of charge, offers free parking and is open to the public. For more information call 989.837.4823 or 989.837.4423.

NUIAS General Chair Jacob (Jake) Wedge states, "This year's theme, "Reinventing the Wheel: Welcome to the Next Automotive Era," was chosen because it focuses on the increasing consumer demands of an evolving market. The exhibits will showcase vehicles that operate in harmony with nature, while providing the consumer with a new level of quality. The second level to the theme is based on the fact that the Northwood University International Auto Show is a student-produced event. The students are the future of the industry; therefore, the show works as a stepping stone from education to careers."

Under the guidance of Wedge, a senior from Middleville, Michigan, and his 13-member executive board, over 900 students will be involved in creating the show which attracts 50,000 plus visitors each year. It is held during the peak fall color season on Northwood's heavily wooded campus and this year will feature over 500 new domestic and imported cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, vans, and experimental and specialty vehicles. The show also offers an extensive aftermarket exhibit. Not only will you see vehicles of the future but also on Sunday, October 4, you can reminisce with those of yesterday during the Classic Car Show.

This year's Executive Board members are:

Jacob (Jake) Wedge, General Chair
Email: generalchair@northwood.edu

Jacob (Jake) Wedge is in his senior year of pursuing a dual major in Automotive Marketing and Management. Raised in Middleville, Michigan, Jake graduated from Thornapple Kellogg High School. He has grown fond of the Grand Rapids area working in the sales department at Good GMC during the summer of 2008. Jake also completed an internship on the eastern shore of Maryland working with the Preston Automotive Group in the summer of 2007. His parents, Doug and Lisa Wedge, are very supportive and a big reason he is where he is today. The Auto Show is how Jake discovered Northwood University, thus stemming his passion; he is honored to hold the position of General Chair for the 46th NUIAS as well as Domestic Chair for the 45th NUIA. An entrepreneur at heart, Jake plans to one day own his own dealership.

Jared Urban, Vice Chair
Email: vicechair@northwood.edu

Jared Urban is currently a junior pursuing a degree in Banking & Finance, Automotive Marketing and Management. Last year Jared was honored with the Banking & Finance Student of the Year Award. He was a member of Team Kenworth in 2007 and Heavy Truck Chair in the 2008 Auto Show. Jared participated in two years of DECA at Brighton High School taking home medals at both district and state levels; he is currently a member of DEX. Jared's parents are Kris and Denise Urban of Brighton, Michigan, and his father is a Northwood University alumnus. He is an avid fisherman and spends the majority of his days on the water; he also is passionate about racing, hockey and lacrosse. Jared has been working in the trucking industry for over five years and has interned at Cummins Bridgeway LLC. He plans to continue working in the industry after graduation.

Garrett Boursaw, Guest Relations Chair
Email: guestrelationschair@northwood.edu

Garrett Boursaw is a senior at Northwood University pursuing a triple major in Marketing, Banking & Finance and Management. He is the son of Terry and Jane Boursaw of Traverse City and a graduate of Traverse City Central High School. Garrett has interned at Delphi Automotive Systems in the Thermal Aftermarket Division. On campus Garrett is the editor-in-chief of the Northwood University yearbook and its newspaper, The Entrepreneur. In past summers he has worked as the operations/business development intern for the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City. In previous Northwood University International Auto Shows he has worked as a member of Team Saab in 2006 and was captain of Team Volvo in 2007. After graduation, Garrett hopes to attend law school and focus on nonprofit business law.

Brandon Postema, Heavy Truck and Specialty Chair
Email: specialtychair@northwood.edu

Brandon Postema is currently a junior pursuing a dual major in Automotive Aftermarket and Management. He is the son of Brian and Lynn Postema of Alto, Michigan, and is a graduate of Caledonia High School. While attending Caledonia, Brandon was an active member of DECA, taking home both district and state medals for three straight years. He is currently involved in many on-campus activities including Circle K, DEX and other volunteer activities such as Rake A Difference and the Salvation Army Christmas Party. Brandon's previous NUIAS experience includes being a member of Team Infiniti in 2007 and captain of Performance and Customs in 2008, which won the Best Aftermarket Award. He looks forward to completing his final two years at Northwood and plans on working in the aftermarket business after graduation.

Leah Young, Fashion Chair
Email: fashionchair@northwood.edu

Leah Young is currently a sophomore at Northwood pursuing a dual major in Fashion Marketing and Management. She is the daughter of Bruce and Amy Young of Kentwood, Michigan, and graduated from East Kentwood High School. In her spare time she works at the Midland Mall. Leah was a member of Team Mini for the 2008 NUIAS. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in visual merchandising.

Ryan Marie Cole, Promotions Chair
Email: promotionschair@northwood.edu

Ryan Marie Cole is a senior at Northwood University pursuing a triple major in Advertising, Marketing and Management with a minor in Entertainment, Sport & Promotion Management. She is the daughter of James and Jeanette Cole of Highland, Michigan, and a graduate of Lakeland High School. She worked as co-captain of Team GMC for the 2007 NUIAS and held the position of Promotions Chair for NUIAS 2008. Ryan's favorite involvement with Northwood University was her Paris and London study abroad program as well as her involvement with the NUIAS executive board. After graduation, Ryan hopes to work behind the scenes in the movie or music industry.

Toni Madden, VIP Panel Chair
Email: NUIASpanel@northwood.edu

Toni Madden is currently a junior pursuing a degree in Entrepreneurship and Management. She was a member of Team Chevy in 2007 and Team SMART in the 2008 Auto Show. Toni is secretary for the Entrepreneurship Society and is a co-op student at Dow Corning Corporation. She grew up in Brant, Michigan, and graduated from St. Charles High School. Toni enjoys hunting and fishing and really values spending time with her family. Her parents are Thomas and Mary Madden and have been the best examples in her life for demonstrating good values and morals. Toni plans to obtain a company of her own shortly after graduation.

Christopher (Chris) LaBrecque, Chief Financial Officer
Email: NUIASCFO@northwood.edu

Chris LaBrecque is a senior at Northwood University pursuing a triple major in Banking & Finance, Economics and Management, along with a minor in Accounting. Chris is the son of Bruce and Cindy LaBrecque of Frankenmuth, Michigan, and is a graduate of Frankenmuth High School. He completed a summer associate position with Frankenmuth Insurance in 2007 and an internship with the company in 2008. During the summer of 2009 Chris was part of the intern leadership development program at MillerCoors where he worked as a sales finance intern in Golden, Colorado. He also is the president of the Student Ambassador Program at Northwood throughout the school year. In his time at Northwood Chris enjoys being involved on and off campus and continuously meets new people as a result. He was a member of Team Volvo for the 2007 NUIAS and the Chief Financial Officer for the 2008 NUIAS. After graduation, Chris plans to pursue a career in either corporate risk management or financial analysis.

Joshua Freeman, Aftermarket Chair
Email: aftermarketchair@northwood.edu - for Vendor information

Joshua is currently a senior majoring in Automotive Aftermarket Management and Management. He was raised in Novi, Michigan, and graduated from Novi High School. Last year he was captain of Team Vendors and Manufactures and enjoyed working with the 45th NUIAS. In his free time Josh likes to go dirt bike riding on any nice day during the summer. His parents are Cameron and Tracy Freeman; his younger brother Jason looks up to him and plans on coming to Northwood University in the fall to participate in the Auto Show. After graduation, Josh plans on opening up his own NAPA or aftermarket parts store.

Stephanie Jirasek, Special Events Chair
Email: specialeventschair@northwood.edu

Stephanie is currently a junior attending Northwood University's Michigan Campus and the daughter of Mike and Ruth Ann Jirasek of Novi, Michigan. She is pursuing a triple major in Advertising, Marketing and Management with a minor in Aftermarket. She is an active member of Delta Zeta sorority and Xi Eta chapter. In the 2007 NUIAS she held the position of captain for Team Scientific and for the 2008 NUIAS she was captain of Team Hummer. After graduation, Stephanie plans to pursue a career in advertising.

Paul Rowley, Fundraising Chair
Email: fundraisingchair@northwood.edu

Paul is currently a senior at Northwood University majoring in Automotive Marketing, Banking & Finance and Management with a minor in Economics. He is actively involved on campus through memberships in Circle K, Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity and serves as chairman of the Student Honors Association. Paul is also a two-time recipient of the NIADA/AutoTrader National Scholarship. He currently works as a student assistant for Northwood University's IT department and recently completed his internship with Hendrick Automotive Group in North Carolina. Paul is the son of Paul Rowley and Nancy Pollock, both of Durand, Michigan. Upon graduation, he plans to begin a career in corporate automotive finance or dealer management training.

Steve VanArsdale, Asian Chair
Email: asianchair@northwood.edu

Steve VanArsdale is a junior majoring in Automotive Marketing and Management and is a graduate of Letchworth Central High School. He loves cars and also enjoys skiing, tennis, playing golf and talking about cars. Steve was a member of Team Acura in 2007 and captain of Team Lexus in the 2008 Auto Show. He also serves as president of TAG (The Automotive Group), vice president and professional development of the American Marketing Association (AMA) executive board, and a member of DEX. Steve's parents, James VanArsdale and Margaret VanArsdale, reside in Castile, New York, between Buffalo and Rochester. He has completed internships with the West-Herr Automotive Group of Buffalo, New York, as well as Asbury Automotive Group in Greensboro, North Carolina. Upon graduation, Steve plans to work for a large dealer group or directly for an automotive manufacturer.

Joseph Clift, Domestic Chair
Email: domesticchair@northwood.edu

Joseph Alan Clift currently resides in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and is the son of Richard Clift and Margaret Clift, both of Rochester Hills. He is currently a senior at Northwood University studying Automotive Marketing Management. His plans upon graduation are to return home and work for his dad at one of his stores, either selling cars or working in the F&I department, in hopes of one day working his way up to take over ownership of his father's dealership. Joseph's hobbies and interests are really anything and everything that pertain to the automotive industry, especially the domestic industry. He is looking forward to making the 46th NUIAS the very best one yet and one that none of our visitors and students will ever forget.

Lohnie Boggs, European Chair
Email: europeanchair@northwood.edu

Lohnie Boggs is a senior from Prescott, Arizona, and the son of Casey and Gretchen Boggs. He is an active member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Lohnie has been involved in the automotive industry from a young age when his father started working for a Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep dealer when he was only six months old. His hobbies are driving cars, traveling, music, classic movies and cooking. After Lohnie graduates from Northwood, he plans on trying to become the general manager at a local dealership in his hometown.