MANASSAS, VA – The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) today announced that professional automotive recycler Sean Krause of Speedway Auto, Ltd. in Joliet, Illinois has been nominated to join the Association Executive Committee as Secretary for 2023-2024. Sean is the CEO of Speedway Auto, Ltd. alongside his father, Paul Krause, who established the business in 1969 with his wife, Indra.
“We have been a member of ARA since 1972 and I am honored to join the Executive Committee,” said Krause. “I look forward to giving back and contributing value, but I still have a lot to learn and re-learn. Before accepting the position, I called Marty from Northlake for his advice and his support then agreed to the position knowing I have the support of fellow board members and great association behind me. My strengths are helping people connect in this industry and I plan to use that to focus on certification and how important it is to be “Gold Seal,” not only for accolades but for the safety of all our employees too.”
Sean’s parents came from England to build the “American Dream”. His father saw an advertisement in the Chicago Tribune for a salvage yard and house for sale and bought it in the same year that Sean was born. In 1991, Sean joined the family business after attending St. Norbert College where he studied business and finance. During his first weekend out of college, Sean attended an ARA Annual Convention in Chicago at the request of his father, and never imagined how interesting used auto parts were and the many possibilities of recycling automotive parts.
For more than 20 years, Sean has served on the Board of Auto Truck Recyclers of Illinois (ATRI), including as President, and he currently sits on the ARA Board of Directors. Sean is active in his local community as Secretary of the Nature Foundation of Will County and a supporter of the Spanish Community Center, Joliet Junior Women’s Club, Purple Project, United Way, Easter Seals and many more organizations. Sean has also held many coaching positions within the Joliet Jaguars and Romeville Huskies hockey clubs. In his spare time, he likes to watch his kids play sports, go boating on the river and play golf with his wife and children Max (age 21), Cameron (age 18) and Sophia (Age 13). Sean’s hope is that one of them will want to join the business and possibly take it over so he and Coleen will travel the world. This year, Sean and his wife, Coleen, are looking forward to celebrating their 25th Anniversary together and planning a trip to Europe.
Krause will be formally confirmed by the ARA Board of Directors and Membership during the ARA’s 80th Annual Convention and Exposition taking place October 12-14th in Kansas City, Missouri. “Sean has been in auto recycling for 32 years. In addition to that, Sean is a hardworking, hands-on guy and he is concerned with what is best for the industry. He will do a great job and will be a great addition to an already great team,” said Marty Hollingshead, Immediate Past President and chairman of ARA’s Nominating Committee.
Since 1943, the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) represents an industry dedicated to the efficient removal and reuse of “green” automotive parts and the proper recycling of inoperable motor vehicles. ARA represents the interests of over 4,500 auto recycling facilities in the United States and fourteen other countries around the world. With programs such as the Certified Automotive Recycler Program (CAR), Green Recycled Parts, and other partnerships, ARA members continue to provide consumers with quality, low-cost alternatives for vehicle replacement parts, while preserving our environment for a “green” tomorrow.
To learn more about the Association, visit ARA’s Home Page at www.a-r-a.org or call (571) 208-0428.
For More Information Contact:
Sandy Blalock (sandy@a-r-a.org)
Executive Director
(571) 208-0428
