National Auto Research, also known as Black Book, has promoted Ricky Beggs and Tim West to the positions of vice presidents.

Beggs joined NAR/Black Book in 1981 as an editorial assistant. He held various editor positions until he became managing editor of Black Book in November 1990. As vice president, his duties will not change.

"Ricky Beggs, as managing editor, has the primary responsibility for assuring the quality and timeliness of our vehicle valuations," said Richard Malloch, president of Hearst Business Media. "With his dedication, experience and contacts, Black Book is seen as the most authoritative guide in the market."

West joined NAR/Black Book in 1984 as an editorial assistant and has held various editor responsibilities within the company. In 1999, he became the North American auction director. Since that time, he has worked where the company collects data for its guidebooks, auto auctions across the U.S. and Canada.

"Tim West, in his position as North American auction director, assures that NAR personnel are at each and every auction weekly to keep our database price information as complete and up-to-date as possible," said Malloch.