The experienced and accomplished members of AERA Board of Directors and management team have been the driving force behind the organization’s leadership for nearly a century. The AERA Board is made up of leaders from businesses both large and small, across every sector of the industry. Members of the Board provide local and global perspectives on matters of common interest to AERA members, and contribute their leadership and expertise to help guide the organization as it prepares to enter its second century.
Jeff Baldwin – Chairman of the Board
Jeff Baldwin is the owner of Baldwin Racing Engines in Friedheim, Missouri. Baldwin Racing Engines is a full service automotive machine shop specializing in dirt LS engines, but they also work many other types of engines. Baldwin Racing Engines’ 440 LS Late-Model Dirt Engine won Engine Builder Magazine’s Engine of the Year in 2018.
Chris Hamann – First Vice Chairman
Chris Hamann is the owner of Lakeland Auto & Marine in Port Clinton, Ohio. Lakeland Auto & Marine is a 10-bay automotive repair facility, auto and marine parts store, complete engine machine shop, rotating electrical and carburetor rebuilding, along with automotive and marine transmission rebuilding. He brings over 35 years of marine and automotive experience ranging from basic maintenance to high-tech EFI diagnostics. Chris is also a contract instructor for EHOVE Career Center specializing in high-tech marine engine diagnostics for professional marine technicians.
Steven Hensley – Second Vice Chairman
Stevie Hensley is the machine shop manager at Twin City Automotive Machine in Bristol, VA; he grew up in the shop and is part of a third generation family business. As a kid, he spent a lot of his summers either on the farm or working at the shop. Stevie is also a graduate from Northeast State Community College receiving a degree in AAS Machine Tool, and AAS in Manufacturing Engineering, he teaches at Northeast State Community College part time.
Dave Steine – Treasurer
Dave Steine, consultant/former owner of Tri Star Engines in Baldwin, Wisconsin, where they focus on engine and transmission distribution. He is a past president of PERA, treasurer of his local Knights Of Columbus Council, and is also on the board of directors for the Numismatic Bibliomania Society (NBS), a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature.
Corey Schlegelmilch – Advisory Board Chairman
Corey Schlegelmilch is the owner of Donrich Machine & Driveline Inc. in McCool Junction, Nebraska, where they work on a large amount of tractor engines, as well as stationary irrigation engines which are mostly dry fuel application, but also an ever increasing number of diesel-powered units. Medium-duty diesel is becoming one of their largest markets, as well as street and restoration.
Rick Simko – AMC Chairman
Rick Simko is the director of sales and marketing for Elgin Industries in Elgin, Illinois. Elgin is a manufacturer of internal engine parts, specializing in valve train. In addition to serving on the AERA Board, he was also chairman of the Engine Repower Council (ERC), a member of the AAIA show committee and a former member of the PERA executive board.
Jim Rickoff – AERA President
Jim Rickoff is the sixth president of AERA. He has been involved in the engine building industry since graduating from Winona State University in 1982 and has been serving AERA in some capacity since 1992.
Cass Choate – Director
Cass Choate is owner and founder of Choate Engineering Performance in Bolivar, Tennessee, a leader in diesel engine and component remanufacturing and focused on resolving customer issues with factory designs. Experienced in engineering, design, CNC programming and technical presentation.
Andy Frontzak – Director
Andy Frontzak is the owner of Engine Rebuilders & Supply Inc. in Stone Park, Illinois. The business started in 1940 and Andy has owned it since 1992. They specialize in antique, muscle car, and restoration work, but also do automotive, diesel, motorcycle and marine work. He was awarded Engine Builder magazine’s America’s Best Vintage Engine Shop for 2024.
Zach Lueker – Director
Zach Lueker is the Department Chair, High Performance Automotive at Ranken Technical Institute in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up racing junior dragsters and after high school attended Ranken Technical Institute for High Performance Engines. He spent some time in diagnostics before working in a machine shop and then eventually opening his own shop. After that, he returned to Ranken Technical Institute as an instructor.
Vic Posey – Director
Vic Posey is a professor of Automotive Technology at Bakersfield College in California. After graduating from Bakersfield College in 1994 with an A.S. in Automotive Technology, Vic owned and operated a machine shop before being hired to teach engine machining and rebuilding classes at Bakersfield College in 2009.
Chris Palombo – Director
Chris Palombo is a machinist with Mike & Sons Machine Shop in El Paso, Texas. Prior to that, he was a Radio & Communications Security Repairer for the U.S. Army and his achievements include: Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Award (5th Star), Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd award), National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and NATO Medal.
Mike Wiser – Director
Mike Wiser is the manager of South Central Diesel Inc. in Holdrege, Nebraska. They are a factory repair facility for Bosch, Stanadyne, Delphi, and Denso diesel systems; a factory distributor for Holset and Borgwarner Turbos; and they also do drive-in repairs on diesels. They also have a cylinder head machine shop. He is a member of the Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS) and the Bosch Service Dealer Council for North America.
