MACS Board of Directors

Caroline Marks

Vice President, Co-Owner, Director of Operations-Marks Air, Inc. MACS Treasurer

Caroline grew up in this industry (literally—she’s been around this since she was in a playpen). At the beginning of 2000, she started as a full-time member of the Marks Air team, which is an A/C-only service shop that also distributes A/C parts worldwide. Before that, her experience concentrated on customer service and the customer experience. She currently serves on the advisory board for Erwin Technical College and the Diesel Program for Hillsborough Community College. She’s also a 609 proctor and have been serving on the MACS board for five years.

Caroline is a soccer mom of two teenage daughters and she loves exercise, yoga, Star Wars, Beastie Boys, good conversations, the beach, motivating others and learning. She’s also a history nerd and book worm. Pizza, red wine and guacamole are some of her major weaknesses (though not normally all at the same time). Out of all the things Caroline loves, smiling is her favorite.

Jim Atkinson

Owner – Car Repair Company MACS Secretary

Jim has been in the auto business for 40 years and is the owner of The Car Repair Company, Scottsdale, AZ which opened in 1980.  Along with providing excellent service to the public, he’s also been involved with vehicle manufacturers for durability testing, product evaluations and brand management shows. He’s served on the Better Business Bureau board of directors and chairperson for the automotive advisory committee. He’s worked with the local television stations for consumer car care and was the Saturday Morning Car Guy on the NBC Phoenix affiliate.

Jim’s happily married with two boys and three dogs. He loves to drive fast and has graduated from multiple high-performance driving schools. Along with his daily drivers, he has a couple of classic cars (for a total of six—his insurance company loves him!) Besides cars, he and his family also loves to spend time on their boat at the lakes in Arizona.

Andrew R. Fiffick

Founder and CEO -Rad Air Complete Car Care & Tire Centers- MACS Chairman and CEO

A life-long “gear-head”, Andrew’s career started at the early age of six, when he fell in love with cars while helping his father work in his garage. His dad was a diesel truck mechanic and taught him to do things right the first time—a lesson he learned well and practices to this day. He attended the Lincoln Technical Institute and Marketing Baldwin Wallace College. He’s now the President & CEO of Rad Air Complete Car Care and Tire Centers as well as Cleveland Hybrid, which has ten service centers in the Cleveland, OH area.

He loves boating, Harley rides with his wife Elissa and enjoying time with their two daughters, son-in-law and three grandchildren. He’s now served on the MACS board for 17 years.

Rob Bollinger

Part Owner-ABC Radiator

My name is Rob Bollinger, part owner and operator of A.B.C. Radiator and A/C located in Baltimore, Maryland. I have been working on automotive and heavy-duty A/C systems for over 20 years. A.B.C. Radiator and A/C is a family business which was started by my grandfather in 1970.

We provide the sales, service, and installation of all forms of transportation. Fun fact: we are the last place in Baltimore City to still repair are core radiators! We are the “best place in town to take a leak”. Coming from a family business gives me great pride in the work I do, and I am grateful for the relationships made over years with our customers and the local businesses.

Outside of the shop I am with my family… I have a beautiful wife and three amazing kids. In the morning while the family is still sleeping you can find me in the gym weightlifting. (It’s the best way to start the day!) In 2020 I was very happy to receive the young ambassador award at the training and convention show in Nashville. I hope to continue to be involved with the MACS organization for many years to come. Being a member has been a great asset to my company.

Tray Carlisle

President-Carlisle Air and Automotive

At the age of 12, I attended my first MACS convention in 1987. I now bring 32+ years of mobile A/C business experience in service, installation, and parts sales and distribution. My grandfather started our family shop, Carlisle Air & Automotive, in 1955 in San Antonio, TX, where it became a leading automotive A/C specialty company. While growing up in the family business, I’ve done every job available from the time I was a young boy to today—where I currently serve as President. Today, Carlisle Air & Automotive has three service facilities and two warehouse distribution centers servicing south Texas. We’ve been MACS members since 1984. This is my first year serving on the board.

Troy Farr

A/C Product and Catalog Manager-1-800-RADIATOR

With over 40 years of experience in the automotive A/C industry. Troy had an early interest in cars, and began his career working a summer job at the A-R-A distributor in SLC, Utah at 13 years of age. Promoted to parts manager in 1983 and began working full time. “Times were a little simpler back then, we had 6 different compressors in stock. Inventory tracking was done on card stocks from hand written shop invoices”. In 1993 Troy was hired by J-mac Radiator to build an A/C parts distributor program, and was soon promoted as general manager. By 2003, business had grown to 13 locations in 8 different states. Keys to success were attributed to development of one of the 1^st interfaced electronic catalogs, and logistics with the “Do It Right The 1^st Time” compressor kits. Current responsibilities include warranty analysis and tracking, working with vendors at the manufacturer level to offer the best quality parts, and maintaining the A/C Catalog. Personal interests include landscaping, golf, and martial arts where a black belt ranking has been achieved in 2 modalities.

Mark Schmitz

Product Development-Global Parts Distributors (GPD)

After the birth of his first son in 1981, Mark began his career in the automotive industry with a family-owned accessories and A/C installation business—Truck Air Corporation—in Fort Worth, TX. He holds a Masters Degree in Science and Economic Wealth Distribution. After 13 years of experience in the A/C parts business and growing his family (now six children), he accepted a position with Global Parts Distributors (GPD) in Macon, GA. Twenty-six years later, he’s proud to say he’s been a part of GDP’s growth and has now been on the MACS board for 11 years.

Steve Sunday

Vice President-Sunair Products – MACS Vice Chairman

Steve began his career in the mobile A/C industry back in 1984, when Sunair in Fort Worth, TX originated. He graduated from Texas Tech University and feels blessed to have worked with people from all backgrounds in the industry. Even though it looks a little different today, the mobile A/C industry is still a place where someone can have a lifetime of success. His wonderful wife Agnes and son Christopher keep him busy and entertained.

James Hittman

CTO Badger Refrigeration – MACS Past Chairman

James has been working in the A/C and Refrigeration business in different capacities for 48 years, working with Mack Truck, Hertz Truck, Thermo King Corp. and Badger Truck Refrigeration in Eau Claire, WI. He earned his B.S. in Power Mechanics from the University of Wisconsin Stout. He’s now an active member of SAE on the Standards Committee for Heavy Duty Climate control. He’s been on the MACS board for eight years and enjoys living, fishing and hunting in Wisconsin.

Ryan A. Baker

General Manager-Kenway Engineering

Ryan Baker graduated from Minnesota State University in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, management and finance.  After college, he moved to Missouri to partner with a childhood friend to open bicycle retail stores in Jefferson City and Columbia, MO. Wanting to be closer to family, he and his family moved to southern Minnesota in 1994 where he began work at Eagle Engineering, a small HVAC systems manufacturer in Welcome, MN. Leaving Eagle Engineering, he accepted a position as division service manager of environmental products at Vermeer in Pella, Iowa in 1997.

Wishing to return to the off-road HVAC industry, he accepted a position as an OEM account manager with Red Dot Corporation in 1998. After working for 22 years at Red Dot both in the OEM sector and lastly as the director of aftermarket sales, Ryan is currently serving as the VP of sales for Sanz Clima/Kenway Engineering in Fairmont, MN.

Ryan explains,”I have been a MACS member since 2004, conducting numerous MACS training and EPA section 609 training classes throughout the years.

My hobbies are spending time with family, tending our rural property in southern Minnesota, running, martial arts and study of military history and leadership. I am a three-term board of education member of the local school district, a church elder and also a past member of the Commercial Vehicle Research Council, an HDMA-affiliated group.  I would welcome the opportunity to serve on the MACS board.”

Alan Leupold

Technical Consultant-Bergstrom Climate Controls Systems

Alan graduated from Valparaiso University in 1971 with a BSME. Two years later, his engineering career began with IH in the test lab. In 2012, he “retired” from CNH as the HVAC Systems Design Global Manager. That same year, he also became the Director of Test and Development at Bergstrom. He’s a past chairman of both an ASABE and SAE Committee. He holds 14 patents for Off Road HVAC systems and was proud to receive the MACS Pioneer award in 2009. He’s now been on the MACS board for six years.

He enjoys being actively involved in community service, where he’s the Junior Achievement advisor, Plainfield Jaycees President, youth soccer and girls softball coach and trustee for Plainfield Foundation of Excellence for Schools as well as being the township trustee for eight years.  He and his wife Penny have enjoyed 48 years of marriage. They’re the proud parents of Emily and Kimberly and love spending time with their three grandchildren. They also love to go boating and enjoy warm, oceanic vacations. Alan’s personal hobbies include a growing farm toy collection.

Charlie Roberts

Director of Sales-T/CCI Manufacturing LLC.

Charlie Roberts is the Director of Sales at of TCCI Manufacturing handling OE truck, off-road, transport refrigeration and bus markets. He joined TCCI in 2006 and has been instrumental in transforming the business resulting in more than 300% growth in sales and launching over 20 new products in the last six years including the electric compressor.

Charlie has been affiliated with MACS throughout his 29 years in the HVAC mobile industry. Charlie is honored to have served on the MACS Board of Directors for the last four years being reelected for two more years and has been an integral part of leading MACS successfully through their re-branding efforts, advancing technology, growing membership, and weathering the pandemic challenges.

Charlie is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University and resides in Frisco, TX with his wife of over 29 years and has two children.

Ralph Vergara

North American Aftermarket Sales Honeywell

Ralph has been in the HVAC&R and the MVAC industry for 30 years.  Before joining Honeywell, Ralph spent 20 + years working for A/C Tool and equipment manufacture Ritchie Engineering (Yellow Jacket) in several roles including Technical Service Manager, Engineering, and as a National Sales Manager for their Automotive Division.

Ralph has been a member of MACS, SAE (ICCC) and several other industry groups in the 30 years that he has been in the industry.  Ralph joined Honeywell in 2013 and is currently the North America Aftermarket Sales Manager for Honeywell Refrigerants.

When not working Ralph enjoys spending time with his wife Shari, granddaughter Ava, and his four adult children Mason, Kayla, Eric, and Christian.  Ralph’s hobbies include mountain biking, fishing, and doing DIY projects for friends and family.