After a long, hard, day it’s nice to relax and enjoy a beautiful sunset. The sunsets here in Oxnard, California, are stunning, and watching them is a great way to reflect on your day and think about what’s to come tomorrow. It’s even better if you’re sharing that moment with your special someone.
The sunset I’m thinking of right now is a bit more personal. After 32 years at ATRA, I’ve decided to retire. I came to this decision over a year ago, and I’ve shared it with everyone at ATRA and the ATRA Board of directors.
I haven’t taken the time to reflect on those 32 years until now, but as the sun is fading quickly, I began to think of the blessings I’ve received. It isn’t hard to think back at the excitement I had at age 31 when I became part of the ATRA Technical Department. I was thrilled. I mean, answering tech calls, doing research, and writing articles. “Does it get any better,” I thought? Yes, it did.
I went to my first Expo a few months later. It was in Chicago. By the way, one of my duties there was to introduce Steve Garrett during the opening of his presentation. That was back when Steve had hair.
Three years later, ATRA launched Gears magazine. I still have that first issue and can remember the excitement I felt seeing my article on the Mazda G4A-EL within its pages. The following year, ATRA launched its first Powertrain Expo at the Walt Disney World Contemporary Resort. I remember my presentation, “Trucks, Trucks, and More Trucks,” like it was yesterday.
That same year (1993), I was promoted to Technical Director and had the pleasure of working with some really talented people. It seemed like we could never produce enough and were stretching the deadlines from time to time. One deadline that seemed to always sneak up on us was for Gears magazine. I could count on Rodger Bland, its Managing Editor, to remind me, “Hey Dennis, the deadline is this Friday.” Since those early days, I’ve edited every tech article for Gears and still enjoy it. I’ve learned a lot over the years from colleagues and guest authors.
Since 2001 I’ve served as ATRA’s CEO but have always kept my craving for tech. I don’t think the love of transmissions ever leaves us. I’m a behind-the-scenes administrator and like getting into the detail of projects. The team here at ATRA is incredible, developing outstanding technical information, a world-class magazine, a fantastic annual trade show, and topnotch training seminars. Not to mention the support team in Membership.
I have a few months left, and there’s still a lot to do before my last day at the helm. Lance Wiggins, ATRA’s Technical Director, will serve as my replacement and Executive Director. Following in his footsteps is Keith Clark, ATRA’s newest Technical Director.
As I’m watching the sun fall beyond the horizon, I’m thinking, “Wow. That’s spectacular.” And then it’s over. But not really. A few hours later, the sun comes up to start a whole new day. And just like a craving for transmissions that never goes away, ATRA will always be a part of me.
I’m looking forward to seeing that new day and what the ATRA team has in store for the industry. I’m excited for what’s to come and for the ATRA members. Speaking of which, I’ve visited hundreds of ATRA Member shops across the US and Canada and spoken to hundreds more. If I had to pick one thing that’s made my time here at ATRA the most gratifying, it’s having gotten to know so many wonderful people over the years. Knowing them has been a gift I can never repay. It’s been my distinct pleasure to serve this industry. One that I love so dearly.
But hey, I’ll still be around, checking up on the ATRA team and going to Expo to visit so many friends. It’s a beautiful day.
