Rollie Olson (left), with Fletcher Lord

LAS VEGAS -- Rollance E. Olson, CEO of Parts Depot, Inc. in Roanoke, Va., has been named the 2010 recipient of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Leader of the Year Award. Each year, AWDA bestows this prestigious award on an aftermarket professional who has contributed to the industry in a unique and significant way.

A veteran of nearly 40 years in the aftermarket, Olson has spent time on both the manufacturing and distribution sides of the business. Over the years, many familiar companies and brands have appeared on Olson’s resume, including Honeywell, Bendix, Fram and Raybestos.

In 1986, Olson acquired Parts Depot Inc. from the Stapleton family. Over a 25-year period, Parts Depot grew from three warehouses to – at its peak – a company serving 13 states and generating more than $350 million in revenue.

Not content to sit on the industry’s sidelines, Olson committed himself to numerous volunteer positions within the aftermarket. He actively served on AWDA’s Board of Governors for eight years, including a term as chairman in the mid-1990s.

Olson has served as chairman of All Pro/Bumper-to-Bumper, and in 2000, he and Fred Bunting were co-chairs of the Alliance when the group was formed.

When presenting the Leader of the Year Award, last year’s winner, Fletcher Lord called his friend of 20 years, “An American original; a self-made man who through hard work, vision, leadership and force of personality rose to the top of his industry.” Added Lord, “Rollie is surely one of the most deserving people in our industry to receive this award.”