Hypertherm Announces National Automotive Spokesperson
JoAnn Bortles, custom hot rod/motorcycle fabricator and painter, named 2013 spokesperson
HANOVER, NH - Hypertherm, a manufacturer of advanced cutting systems, is proud to announce custom hot rod/motorcycle fabricator, certified welder and renowned custom painter, JoAnn Bortles, as its national automotive spokesperson. In her new role, Bortles will help educate and teach people about the benefits of using Powermax plasma systems and make public appearances on behalf of Hypertherm at a variety of automotive conferences and shows, including SEMA and the Hot Rod & Restoration Show; as well as byline articles for automotive, trade and national media outlets. She is scheduled to participate in a variety of speaking opportunities across the country.
"We are pleased to welcome JoAnn Bortles to the Hypertherm team and look forward to reaching an expanded automotive audience with JoAnn's extensive background and knowledge," said Reese Madden, director of North American Marketing. "She brings to our team a multitude of skills and understands the need for plasma cutting in the hot rod and auto restoration segment."
Bortles brings more than 30 years of automotive, technical experience and expertise to her new role and Hypertherm welcomes the opportunity to reach a new Powermax market segment through this partnership.
"As the owner of a small shop, the number one rule I have learned is that time is money. Wasted time is very expensive and by using the right products, it makes all the difference in how much profit a shop will make each week," said Bortles. "I look forward to showing shop owners and hobbyists the benefits of plasma cutting, and breaking the old stereotypes of plasma from decades ago."
Bortles was the first female to break into the motorcycle painting industry. Her other "firsts" include the following:
· First female whose personal bike was featured on the cover of Easyriders Magazine in 2004
· First custom painter/fabricator featured in Southern Living Magazine First female biker featured on NBC's TODAY Show
· First female painter featured on the cover of Motorcyle & Powersports News One of the team leaders for the first all women custom car build for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Mustang Powered By Women Project
· First woman to paint and flame a hot rod on MuscleCar TV
In addition to her books, painting, and plasma expertise, she is also a journalist with articles published in prestigious industry publications including: American Iron, Easyriders, VTwin, Cycle Source, Ironworks and Thunder Press. She has more than 14 years of experience writing stories featuring how-to articles, bike features, event articles and travel features.
Bortles is a certified welder and fabricator, bringing decades of experience in custom fabrication on motorcycles, specialty cars, hot rods, automotive parts and aircraft engine components. She is a member of SEMA and is currently serving on the SEMA Businesswomen's Network Select Committee. Her most recent custom hot rod work will be featured at the Detroit Autorama 2013.
Hypertherm designs and manufactures advanced cutting products for use in a variety of industries such as shipbuilding, manufacturing, and automotive repair. Its product line includes handheld and mechanized plasma systems and consumables, as well as fiber laser and now waterjet products, in addition to CNC motion and height controls and CAM cutting software. Hypertherm systems are trusted for performance and reliability that result in increased productivity and profitability for hundreds of thousands of businesses. The New Hampshire based company's reputation for cutting innovation dates back more than 40 years, to 1968, with Hypertherm's invention of water injection plasma cutting. The associate owned company, consistently named one of the best places to work in America, has more than 1,300 associates along with operations and partner representation worldwide.
Adrienne B. Jacoby
Public Relations Counselor
The Meridian Group
575 Lynnhaven Parkway, 3rd floor
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
(O) 757-340-7425
(C) 757-778-2326
Email: adrienne@themeridiangroup.com
www.themeridiangroup.com
