Auto Show Executive Board Fine-Tunes Finishing Touches

With the school year kick-started, anticipation is building for the 51st Annual Northwood University International Auto Show (NUIAS). Held each fall on Northwood University’s Midland, Michigan campus located at 4000 Whiting Drive, the event’s executive board has been in the planning and creation process since December. The show will be held Friday, October 10th thru Sunday, October 12th. It is free, open to the public, and will offer free parking. For additional information please call the Auto Show office at 989.837.4823Daily show hours are:

Exhibits on display at this year’s show will range from performance cars to luxury automobiles to recreational vehicles and everything in between. There will also be a variety of food, information and entertainment options for guests to enjoy.

NUIAS General Chair Kristin Hammond states, “The automotive industry is unique in the fact that the consumer can get whatever they want. We want to empower our guests to take advantage of this opportunity. We will show them what the automotive industry can do for them.”

Hammond and the 14 other members of the executive board are working with over 600 students to create the show that attracts approximately 60,000 visitors annually. It is held during the peak of the fall season on Northwood’s beautiful wooded campus and this year will feature about 500 new domestic and imported cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, vans, experimental and specialty vehicles. The show also offers an extensive aftermarket exhibit. Not only will attendees see vehicles of the present and future but also on Sunday, October 12, they can take a step into the past during the Classic Car Show.

The NUIAS Executive Board members are:

Kristin Hammond, General ChairpersonKristin Hammond of Alma, MI, is in her fourth year of involvement with NUIAS. She previously served as a member of team Watersports, and Team Chevrolet. She also served on the Executive Board last year as the Public Relations Chair. Hammond is a graduate of Alma High School pursuing a degree in Entertainment, Sport and Promotion Management. Upon graduation, Hammond hopes to work in event management or public relations within the automotive industry.

Christina Salmon, Vice Chairperson of DivisionalsChristina Salmon of Brighton, MI brings two years of experience to the vice chair position serving previously as a member of Team Buick and captain of Team Cadillac. Salmon is a graduate of Brighton High School. She currently is pursuing her major in Automotive Marketing and Management. After graduation, Salmon hopes to own her own dealership.

Tanner Sova, Domestic ChairTanner Sova came to Northwood from St. Louis, MI. He has been involved with the Auto Show for the past two years as the captain of Team Harley Davidson and co-captain of Team Chevrolet. Sova is a graduate of St. Louis High School and is now studying Automotive Marketing and Management.

Jacob Edgar, European ChairJacob Edgar of Rochester Hills, MI has two years of experience with the Auto Show most recently as a member of Team Buick/GMC. Edgar graduated from Notre Dame Prep and is now studying Automotive Marketing and Management. After his time at Northwood he hopes to be a part of a successful dealership

David Brown, Asian ChairDavid Brown is from Fort Gratiot, MI. His two years of Auto Show experience were both as a part of Team Porsche- one as a team member and the following year as a captain. Brown is a graduate of Port Huron Northern High School. After receiving his degree in Automotive Marketing and Management, Brown plans to work at his family’s dealerships.

Lee Engelhardt, Aftermarket ChairLee Engelhardt comes to Northwood from Birch Run, MI. He has two years of experience with the Auto Show beginning as a team member of AEV and moving up to become the captain of AEV last year. He graduated from Birch Run High School and is currently pursuing a degree in Aftermarket Management. After graduation, Engelhardt will be working in the field for Bosch Aftermarket.

Collin Ulvund, Specialty ChairCollin Ulvund of Boyne City, MI has two years of experience with the NUIAS. His previous involvement with the Auto Show includes being a member of Team Lincoln and as captain of Team Bentley/Rolls Royce. Ulvund is a graduate of Boyne City High School and is now pursuing a  major in Automotive Marketing and Management. He plans to use his degree to become a General Manager of a high-volume dealership. His words about this year’s show? “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Jaclyn Suchta, Heavy Truck ChairJaclyn Suchta is from Rochester Hills, MI. She brings two years of experience to the executive board first as a member of Team Ford and then captain of Team Acura. Suchta is a graduate of Rochester Adams High School and at Northwood she is pursuing a major in Automotive Marketing and Management/ Marketing and Advertising. Upon graduation, Suchta hopes to work on marketing for dealerships.

Michael Duffy, Public Relations ChairMichael Duffy is originally from Duluth, GA. He has two years of Auto Show experience. Both years were spent at Team Chevrolet- the first as a team member, the second as the captain. Duffy was homeschooled through high school and is currently pursuing a degree in Automotive Marketing and Management. When asked about the upcoming Auto Show, Duffy stated, “It is a challenge to build of the successful Northwood shows of the past. But this team will. Save the date and come see for yourself.”

Angie Janssen, Multimedia ChairAngie Janssen is from Cass City, MI. She is bringing three years of experience to her position. She has worked as a Team Nissan and Team Chrysler and as co-captain of Team Mitsubishi. She is a graduate of Cass City High School. At Northwood, Janssen is studying Management. After graduation, she hopes to become a Human Resources Director, have a family, and make a difference in the world. Janssen says the 2014 NUIAS will be “like never before.”

Matthew Fusco, Logistics ChairMatthew Fusco comes to Northwood from White Lake, MI. His previous involvement with the Auto Show includes being a member of Team AEV and as the captain of Team Ford Commercial. A graduate of Franklin Road Christian, he currently is pursuing a major in Aftermarket Management with a minor in Supply Chain Management. After earning his degree, he plans to work for an automotive corporation and start his own business. His goal for the show is to “Enjoy, experience, and pass on the legacy of the NUIAS.”

Racquel Fakhouri, Special Projects ChairRacquel Fakhouri is from Macomb, MI. She is bringing one year of experience to the position. Previously, she worked as a member of Team Mercedes. Fakhouri is a graduate of Dakota High School and at Northwood she is studying Accounting and Sports Management. After her time at Northwood, Fakhouri hopes to explore the world and continue to learn.

Morgan LaFurgey, CFOMorgan LaFurgey is from Grand Rapids, MI. She brings two years of experience to the Auto Show as a member of Team Lexus and Team Acura. LaFurgey is a graduate of Forest Hills Central High School. Now she is studying Accounting. Following graduation, LaFurgey plans to get her CPA and work for an accounting firm.

Victoria Pretty, Sponsor RelationsVictoria Pretty comes to Northwood from Midland, MI. She is bringing two years of experience to the Auto Show as a member of team Ford, and as co-captain of Team Cadillac. Pretty is a graduate of Dow High School and at Northwood she is studying Automotive Marketing and Management. She plans to use her degree to work in the automotive industry, perhaps in a new car dealership.

Marrissa Angst, VIP Relations ChairMarrissa Angst is from New Lothrop, MI. Her previous Auto Show experience includes working as a team member of Team Ford and Team Chevrolet. She also was the captain of Team Nissan. Angst is a graduate of New Lothrop High School. Currently, she is studying Accounting. Her post-graduation plans are to take the CPA exam. She has accepted an offer as a staff accountant at Plante Moran in Flint. She starts in January of 2016.