Skip to main content

MACS Board of Directors

Service & Repair Board Directors

Caroline Marks

Vice President, Co-Owner, Director of Operations-Marks Air, Inc. MACS Treasurer

Caroline grew up in this industry (literally—she’s been around this since she was in a playpen). At the beginning of 2000, she started as a full-time member of the Marks Air team, which is an A/C-only service shop that also distributes A/C parts worldwide. Before that, her experience concentrated on customer service and the customer experience. She currently serves on the advisory board for Erwin Technical College and the Diesel Program for Hillsborough Community College. She’s also a 609 proctor and have been serving on the MACS board for five years.

Caroline is a soccer mom of two teenage daughters and she loves exercise, yoga, Star Wars, Beastie Boys, good conversations, the beach, motivating others and learning. She’s also a history nerd and book worm. Pizza, red wine and guacamole are some of her major weaknesses (though not normally all at the same time). Out of all the things Caroline loves, smiling is her favorite.

 

Headshot of Jim

Jim Atkinson

Owner – Car Repair Company MACS Secretary

Jim has been in the auto business for 40 years and is the owner of The Car Repair Company, Scottsdale, AZ which opened in 1980.  Along with providing excellent service to the public, he’s also been involved with vehicle manufacturers for durability testing, product evaluations and brand management shows. He’s served on the Better Business Bureau board of directors and chairperson for the automotive advisory committee. He’s worked with the local television stations for consumer car care and was the Saturday Morning Car Guy on the NBC Phoenix affiliate.

Jim’s happily married with two boys and three dogs. He loves to drive fast and has graduated from multiple high-performance driving schools. Along with his daily drivers, he has a couple of classic cars (for a total of six—his insurance company loves him!) Besides cars, he and his family also loves to spend time on their boat at the lakes in Arizona.

Headshot of Andrew

Andrew R. Fiffick

Founder and CEO -Rad Air Complete Car Care & Tire Centers- MACS Chairman and CEO

A life-long “gear-head”, Andrew’s career started at the early age of six, when he fell in love with cars while helping his father work in his garage. His dad was a diesel truck mechanic and taught him to do things right the first time—a lesson he learned well and practices to this day. He attended the Lincoln Technical Institute and Marketing Baldwin Wallace College. He’s now the President & CEO of Rad Air Complete Car Care and Tire Centers as well as Cleveland Hybrid, which has ten service centers in the Cleveland, OH area.

He loves boating, Harley rides with his wife Elissa and enjoying time with their two daughters, son-in-law and three grandchildren. He’s now served on the MACS board for 17 years.

Rob Bollinger

Part Owner-ABC Radiator

My name is Rob Bollinger, part owner and operator of A.B.C. Radiator and A/C located in Baltimore, Maryland. I have been working on automotive and heavy-duty A/C systems for over 20 years. A.B.C. Radiator and A/C is a family business which was started by my grandfather in 1970.

We provide the sales, service, and installation of all forms of transportation. Fun fact: we are the last place in Baltimore City to still repair are core radiators! We are the “best place in town to take a leak”. Coming from a family business gives me great pride in the work I do, and I am grateful for the relationships made over years with our customers and the local businesses.

Outside of the shop I am with my family… I have a beautiful wife and three amazing kids. In the morning while the family is still sleeping you can find me in the gym weightlifting. (It’s the best way to start the day!) In 2020 I was very happy to receive the young ambassador award at the training and convention show in Nashville. I hope to continue to be involved with the MACS organization for many years to come. Being a member has been a great asset to my company.

Distributor Board Directors

Darrell Robbins

Purchasing Manager – Global Parts Distributor

I have been in the automotive industry for 35 years doing anything from turning wrenches to my current position as Purchasing Manager at Global Parts Distributor. I started at GPD in 2004 on the sales counter moving to purchasing in 2007, in 2010 I was promoted to Purchasing Manager. I am also involved in the technical side of things here on parts and work with the R & D Team.

Headshot of Tray

Tray Carlisle

President-Carlisle Air and Automotive

At the age of 12, I attended my first MACS convention in 1987. I now bring 32+ years of mobile A/C business experience in service, installation, and parts sales and distribution. My grandfather started our family shop, Carlisle Air & Automotive, in 1955 in San Antonio, TX, where it became a leading automotive A/C specialty company. While growing up in the family business, I’ve done every job available from the time I was a young boy to today—where I currently serve as President. Today, Carlisle Air & Automotive has three service facilities and two warehouse distribution centers servicing south Texas. We’ve been MACS members since 1984. This is my first year serving on the board.

Headshot of Ryan

Ryan A. Baker

Director of Sales – BTRAC

Ryan Baker graduated from Minnesota State University in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, management and finance.  After college, he moved to Missouri to partner with a childhood friend to open bicycle retail stores in Jefferson City and Columbia, MO. Wanting to be closer to family, he and his family moved to southern Minnesota in 1994 where he began work at Eagle Engineering, a small HVAC systems manufacturer in Welcome, MN. Leaving Eagle Engineering, he accepted a position as division service manager of environmental products at Vermeer in Pella, Iowa in 1997.

Wishing to return to the off-road HVAC industry, he accepted a position as an OEM account manager with Red Dot Corporation in 1998. Ryan was promoted to the director of aftermarket sales for Red Dot Corporation in 2015, serving in this role until 2020. Ryan joined Sanz/Kenway in 2020 as VP-Sales and GM.  He recently joined BTRAC as their director of sales. Ryan notes, “I have been a MACS member since 2004, attending technical training events and also conducting numerous MACS training and EPA section 609 training classes throughout the years. Being a member of MACS has been a rewarding and positive experience allowing me to learn and also serve others in the industry.

My hobbies are spending time with family, tending our rural property in southern Minnesota, martial arts and study of military history. I have previously served as a three-term board of education member of the local school district and currently serve as a church president.

Headshot of Steve

Steve Sunday

Vice President-Sunair Products – MACS Vice Chairman

Steve began his career in the mobile A/C industry back in 1984, when Sunair in Fort Worth, TX originated. He graduated from Texas Tech University and feels blessed to have worked with people from all backgrounds in the industry. Even though it looks a little different today, the mobile A/C industry is still a place where someone can have a lifetime of success. His wonderful wife Agnes and son Christopher keep him busy and entertained.

Headshot of Jim

James Hittman

CTO Badger Refrigeration – MACS Past Chairman

James has been working in the A/C and Refrigeration business in different capacities for 48 years, working with Mack Truck, Hertz Truck, Thermo King Corp. and Badger Truck Refrigeration in Eau Claire, WI. He earned his B.S. in Power Mechanics from the University of Wisconsin Stout. He’s now an active member of SAE on the Standards Committee for Heavy Duty Climate control. He’s been on the MACS board for eight years and enjoys living, fishing and hunting in Wisconsin.

Manufacturer Board Directors

Aaron Becker

Owner & President – AirSept, Inc.

My entire career has been spent in the mobile HVAC industry, with over 30 years of experience in developing and manufacturing unique, innovative service solutions for complex automotive repair issues.  As president of AirSept since 2001, I have presided over the company’s growth from a small, family run operation to a global supplier. AirSept today is a Tier 1 or Tier 2 supplier to 18 car and truck manufacturers and many major aftermarket manufacturers and distributors.  Under my guidance, AirSept has worked cooperatively with OE engineers to develop pioneering tools and parts that meet both OE specifications and satisfy the aftermarket’s need for affordability and ease of use.

For the last 26 years, I have been an active member of MACS and currently sit on multiple SAE committees.  My years of experience in collaborating with OE engineers, manufacturing companies, distribution partners and service providers allows me to offer a unique perspective to MACS manufacturing members.  As we enter a new phase of mobile climate control evolution, it is more important than ever for us to create educational access to new HVAC technologies for all our members. The more we can learn and can teach, the more our members are prepared to face new challenges.

I look forward to contributing my extensive experience and knowledge to help guide the Mobile Air Climate System Association and its members into the next generation of climate control systems.

Alan Leupold

Technical Consultant-Bergstrom Climate Controls Systems

Alan graduated from Valparaiso University in 1971 with a BSME. In 1973 he began his engineering career with International Harvester in the test lab to analyze HVAC systems. He progressed through the years to become Global manager of HVAC design.  In 2012, he left CNH to become the Director of Test and Development at Bergstrom.  He now is a Technical Consultant for Bergstrom and is a member of ASABE, SAE and ISO Committees. He holds 14 patents for Off Road HVAC systems and has received 2 SAE achievement awards and the MACS Pioneer award. He has been active with MACS since 1995 and a board director the past 8 years.

He is active in his community and served as township trustee for 8 years.  Alan and Penny have been married 50 years and have 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren. They enjoy boating, warm/sunny vacations, sports, and farm toy collecting.

 

Charlie Roberts

Director of Sales-TCCI Manufacturing LLC.

Charlie Roberts is the Director of Sales at of TCCI Manufacturing handling OE truck, off-road, transport refrigeration and bus markets. He joined TCCI in 2006 and has been instrumental in transforming the business resulting in more than 300% growth in sales and launching over 20 new products in the last six years including the electric compressor.

Charlie has been affiliated with MACS throughout his 29 years in the HVAC mobile industry. Charlie is honored to have served on the MACS Board of Directors for the last four years being reelected for two more years and has been an integral part of leading MACS successfully through their re-branding efforts, advancing technology, growing membership, and weathering the pandemic challenges.

Charlie is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University and resides in Frisco, TX with his wife of over 29 years and has two children.

 

 

Ralph Vergara

North American Aftermarket Sales Honeywell

Ralph has been in the HVAC&R and the MVAC industry for 30 years.  Before joining Honeywell, Ralph spent 20 + years working for A/C Tool and equipment manufacture Ritchie Engineering (Yellow Jacket) in several roles including Technical Service Manager, Engineering, and as a National Sales Manager for their Automotive Division.

Ralph has been a member of MACS, SAE (ICCC) and several other industry groups in the 30 years that he has been in the industry.  Ralph joined Honeywell in 2013 and is currently the North America Aftermarket Sales Manager for Honeywell Refrigerants.

When not working Ralph enjoys spending time with his wife Shari, granddaughter Ava, and his four adult children Mason, Kayla, Eric, and Christian.  Ralph’s hobbies include mountain biking, fishing, and doing DIY projects for friends and family.