Sales and Marketing Operations.

In her current position, Cortez is responsible for global service; technical support; service contracts; marketing; call centers; and the sales, marketing and distribution of Mopar parts, accessories and products.

Cortez joined Chrysler in 1976 as a management trainee in the Mopar Parts Division and subsequently joined the corporation's Controller's office where she served in various finance positions.

Cortez was born in Detroit, Michigan.

dealerships in the NY Metro area owned by Donald Toresco. The largest dealership is Autoland of New Jersey located in Springfield, N.J. which sells Toyota, Ford, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge. Other locations in New Jersey include Lexus of Englewood in Englewood; Crystal Automall in Greenbrook which is a franchisee for Dodge, Toyota and Mazda; Toms River Lincoln/Mercury/Mazda and Ocean Chevrolet, Jeep both in Toms River and Dom’s Kia/Isuzu in North Plainfield. The total group generates gross sales of approximately $500 million dollars, and was ranked in the Automotive News "100 Dealer Groups" list and has been listed in Forbes "500 Largest Private Companies" list. Toresco Enterprises is comprised of 16 franchises at 6 dealerships plus other miscellaneous businesses with approximately 650 employees.

Ms. Karsian has been with the Toresco Organization since 1980. Ms. Karsian was a immediate past President of the Springfield Rotary and immediate past Chairperson of the Board of Directors for Jr. Achievement of Union County, Inc. as well as a Jr. Achievement Business Consultant at Hillside High School. Ms. Karsian is Chairperson of the Union County Chamber of Commerce and serves on the steering committee for the Route 22 Chamber of Commerce. She is President of the Board of Trustees of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (North Jersey affiliate) and is immediate past President of The Women’s Automotive Association International NY Tri-State Chapter. In addition, Ms. Karsian was appointed by Governor Christie Todd Whitman to serve on the State Employment & Training Commission and serves on its Executive Committee.

Ms. Karsian has also received the North N.J. Alumni Assoc. of Tuskegee University "Business Leadership Award" for commitment in business management. Ms. Karsian was recognized by the YWCA of New York City and inducted into the Academy of Women Achievers, Class of 1997. Ms. Karsian received the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award (2001) and recently received the Women’s Automotive Association International Spirit of Leadership Award (2002).

Products, a company Hedman acquired several years ago. It was her interest in specialty and performance cars, combined with and affinity for the people in the industry and motor sports, that encouraged her involvement in the industry.

With 20 years experience in the custom auto accessories market, Ms. Van Cleve became Chairman of the Specialty Equipment Market Association in 1999 for a two-year term. She is the first woman in the organization’s 35-year history to lead the association that represents the $26 billion dollar specialty and performance section of the auto accessories industry.

Ms. Van Cleve was the first woman to be awarded the Performance Warehouse Association’s Person of the Year award. She also earned the highest tribute accorded an individual in the specialty automotive aftermarket when she was presented with the SEMA Person of the Year Award in 1989. She is the recipient of the Athena Award; a special commendation recognizing and individual’s contribution to the role of women in the specialty products sector of the automobile industry. In 2000 the honor of Automotive News Top 100 Women in the Automotive Industry was bestowed on her. Additionally, Northwood University presented Charlie with the Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award and in January of 2002 she was honored with the Spirit of Leadership Award form the Women’s Automotive Association International.