AIA Canada announces changes to its Board of Directors at the 2025 Annual General Meeting
Ottawa, Ontario, April 16, 2025 — The Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada) is pleased to announce the election of three new directors to the 2025-2027 AIA Canada Board of Directors, as well as further changes to its Board during the 83rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on April 15, 2025. The event took place virtually, ensuring member representatives nationwide could participate.
New directors
The newly elected members of the Board of Directors are:
Trista Anger, regional business manager, western Canada, BASF Coatings Inc.
Trista Anger entered the collision industry in 2004 and has spent 20 years in Canada’s consolidated market, working across network and corporate models. Her experience spans franchise development, operations, contract negotiation, mediation, account management, and talent development. A consistent focus of her work has been balancing the needs of insurers and collision facilities.
As regional business manager for BASF, Trista leads the western Canadian refinish team, delivering comprehensive business support to body shops. She is also deeply committed to industry sustainability, serving on boards and committees, such as the Women’s Industry Network (WIN), the CCIF Steering Committee, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia’s (ICBC) Express Repair Liaison Committee, and Mitchell’s Customer Advisory Council.
Élisabeth Lambert, owner, Pièces d’Auto Joliette
Élisabeth Lambert is the owner of Pièces d’Auto Joliette, part of the Bumper to Bumper network. Though raised around the aftermarket, she officially joined the industry in 2010 as an accounting clerk. Her dedication quickly propelled her through the ranks—controller, general manager, co-owner in 2016, and sole owner as of January 2024.
Passionate about industry challenges, Élisabeth has been active with AIA Canada’s Quebec Division since 2018, supporting initiatives for the next generation of auto care professionals, as well as key events and the development of Quebec’s Bill 29 on the right to repair, including speaking at a parliamentary hearing. She made history as the division’s first female Chair, serving from April 2022 to December 2024.
Committed to her community, Élisabeth has also served on the board of Moisson Lanaudière, a regional food bank, since 2022.
Jean-François Richard, CPA, general manager of La Société de gestion des huiles usagées (SOGHU)
Jean-François Richard became general manager of SOGHU in July 2024, following seven years as Controller. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) since 2016, he holds a Bachelor’s in Management from HEC Montréal and began his career in the automotive sector after earning a DVS in Mechanics from EMEMM.
His combined industry experience and financial expertise support SOGHU’s mission to manage the collection, processing, and awareness of regulated products responsibly and sustainably.
Beyond SOGHU, he serves as President of the Quebec Roundtable on the Environment and Road Vehicles (TCEVRQ) and sits on AIA Canada’s Finance Committee—reflecting his strong commitment to environmental leadership in Quebec.
You can find the full biographies of the new board members in the 2025 Nominating Committee Report, available for free on the AIA Canada website.
The new directors will serve on the AIA Canada Board of Directors until the 2028 AGM.
Changes to the Executive Committee
The AIA Canada Board of Directors has appointed the following members as the Executive Committee:
Chair: Tony Kuczynski, president, Mister Transmission
Tony Kuczynski is president and CEO of Mister Transmission, Canada’s largest transmission and driveline specialty chain. With over 25 years in the automotive industry, he has held senior roles at Carquest/Advance Auto, Canadian Tire, and Ace Hardware, focusing on sales, operations, and business growth, including acquisitions and integrations.
Originally a Cummins diesel technician, Tony completed his journeyman apprenticeship before earning a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Northwestern’s School of Management.
Past Chair: Ryan Bruno, president and CEO, CSN Collision
Ryan Bruno is president and CEO of CSN Collision, a collision repair network operating in Canada, the United States of America and Europe. Throughout his career, Ryan has held progressively senior roles at several leading organizations, including the Bank of Canada, TD Securities, Bell Canada, and Definity Insurance.
Working in a management capacity at his family’s collision repair business throughout high school and university gave Ryan a strong understanding of and passion for the industry. This passion led him to join CSN Collision as Chief Financial Officer in 2018 and President and CEO in 2020.
First Vice Chair: Chris Kinghorn, vice president of digital & sales enablement, UAP Inc.
Chris Kinghorn is a senior executive with a depth of experience in strategy, sales and operations management, and leadership in the automotive aftermarket industry. His journey began working in original equipment manufacturer (OEM) dealerships, and in 2004, Chris transitioned to the aftermarket. Currently serving as the Vice President of Digital & Sales Enablement at UAP, Chris plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s future.
Second Vice Chair: Jason Herle, CEO, Fountain Tire
Jason Herle joined Fountain Tire in 1994 and steadily advanced through leadership roles across operations, real estate, and wholesale. He became general manager of Wholesale in 2012, vice president in 2015, and senior vice president of marketing, information systems, and supply chain in 2019. In 2021, he was appointed Fountain Tire’s first chief operating officer and was promoted to CEO in 2022.
Jason serves on Fountain Tire Ltd. and GlassMasters Autoglass boards and is a past Chair of the Western Canadian Tire Dealers Association Finance Committee. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, 1994), he holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta and remains actively involved in Junior Achievement and industry advisory councils.
AIA Canada would like to take this opportunity to thank former directors James Channer and Joey Miceli for their commitment and service to the Board.
The remaining AIA Canada Board members and terms that were voted on at the last AGM will remain in place.
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About the Automotive Industries Association of Canada
We represent, support and lead innovation in Canada’s $43.9 billion auto care sector. With thousands of members from coast to coast, our vision, research, training programs and advocacy supports Canada’s collision and mechanical sectors. Our best practices for the auto care industry help our members keep Canada’s fleet of almost 26.6 million vehicles on the road.
Whether you have been in a collision or require maintenance, our members help vehicles last longer, pollute less and keep drivers safer by offering Canadians any product or service a vehicle may need after it rolls off the dealership’s lot.
For more information, please contact:
AIA Canada Communications
1-800-808-2920, ext. 2285
communications@aiacanada.com