The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) on April 12 announced professional automotive recycler Sean Krause of Speedway Auto, Ltd. in Joliet, IL, has been nominated to join the ARA Executive Committee as secretary for 2023-2024.
Krause 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 [Hollingshead] 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.”
Krause’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 the same year Krause was born.
In 1991, Krause joined the family business after attending St. Norbert College, where he studied business and finance. During his first weekend out of college, Krause 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, Krause 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. Krause 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.
Krause 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, Coleen, and children Max, 21, Cameron, 18, and Sophia, 13. Krause’s hope is that one of them will want to join the business and possibly take it over so he and Coleen can travel the world. This year, Sean and Coleen are looking forward to celebrating their 25th anniversary 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, Oct. 12-14 in Kansas City, MO.
“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 Hollingshead, immediate past president and chairman of ARA’s Nominating Committee.
Since 1943, the ARA has represented 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 more than 4,500 auto recycling facilities in the U.S. and 14 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, visit ARA’s home page at www.a-r-a.org or call (571) 208-0428.
Source: ARA
