President and CEO, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA)
Bill Long is president and CEO of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). Founded in 1904, MEMA is a leading trade association focused on advancing the business interests of vehicle parts manufacturers and the rapidly evolving mobility industry through its four divisions: Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), Association for Sustainable Manufacturing (MERA), and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA).
With more than 40 years of experience in all sectors of the automotive industry, Bill assumed the leadership of MEMA in 2019 at a critical time. Motor vehicle parts suppliers were witnessing some of the greatest technological innovations in history while also navigating significant regulatory mandates, workforce shortages, tariffs and border adjustment taxes, and a new North American trade agreement. Through Bill’s leadership, MEMA gained a vital seat-at-the-table with government policy makers and has emerged as a powerful voice in the national conversation on the issues affecting its 1,000 members.
Prior to his current role at MEMA, Bill served as president and chief operating officer of its AASA light vehicle aftermarket division and as Executive Vice President of MEMA Government Affairs. Previously, Bill was president of Long Strategies LLC and a managing partner of BC Partners LLC, where he provided strategic planning, brand relevance, and leadership services to the automotive industry.
Following a lifelong passion for automobile racing, Bill spent his weekends as a NASCAR official at various New England racetracks before serving five years as a senior executive with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where he led the expansion of the sport of open-wheel racing and the IndyCar Series. In recognition of his contributions and dedication to the motorsports industry, Bill was honored with the Jack Arute Sr. Excellence in Motorsports Award.
Bill began his career behind the counter at Ferrara Spring & Parts, a NAPA auto parts store in Springfield MA then joined the Echlin Manufacturing Co. as a sales representative for their Brake Parts, Inc. division. During 25 years at Echlin and through its merger with DANA Inc., Bill developed as a respected industry leader eventually heading their billion-dollar Engine Management Division. Throughout his years as a member of the automotive community, Bill has endeavored to create a culture and working environment that allows people to be successful and has proudly served as a mentor to many who have gone on to leadership roles in the industry.
Among his many industry awards, Bill received the prestigious MEMA Triangle Award and the Northwood University Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award. Both recognize his technical expertise and leadership in educating federal legislators on issues concerning automotive industry access to vehicle on-board diagnostics and repair information.
Bill currently serves on the board of the Automotive Hall of Fame and has served as a board member for the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), Northwood University Automotive Aftermarket Advisory Board, the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation Board and is a past chairman of the National Car Care Council.
