Dave Crawford, The Hybrid Shop’s former CEO, has returned to the company as president and chief operating officer. In addition to overseeing day-to-day operations and management, Crawford will focus on expanding The Hybrid Shop’s (THS) network of franchise locations servicing hybrid and electric vehicles. THS offers hybrid and electric vehicle training and development.
Since new ownership bought the assets of THS last year, the company has instituted a new business plan to streamline processes and make offerings more affordable for participating dealers.
“Dave Crawford was an integral part of the original franchise program and built strong relationships with the original dealers,” said CEO Martin Kruszelnicki. “As the new program started coming together, we knew that we needed someone with Dave’s experience to manage the business and franchise efforts.
“We had formed a solid relationship when I owned my hybrid dealership in Santa Monica, so I reached out to see if there was still interest. I was thrilled when he agreed to rejoin the company.”
Moving forward, the primary focus of THS will be developing a franchise network of dealers that are interested in positioning themselves to service hybrid and electric vehicles.
Prior to rejoining THS, Crawford was an independent business consultant and trainer specializing in the evaluation of retail tire businesses. His franchising experience was developed as vice president of Tire Pros operations at American Tire Distributors and as national marketing director with American Car Care Centers.
In other THS news, Carey Mellor has returned to the company as a member of its senior management team. Mellor is now vice president of sales and will lead a team focused on growing the franchised dealers nationwide.
A 30-year industry veteran, Mellor was most recently an independent business consultant. His experience includes time as vice president of sales and marketing with Am-Pac Tire Distributors and as vice president – western division of Tire Pros at American Tire Distributors. Mellor originally joined THS in 2015 as vice president of sales for the western United States.