WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – This year’s class of Leadership 2.0, presented by the University of the Aftermarket’s Leadership Development Program, concluded on Friday, April 19, with a graduation ceremony for its 28 participants. 
This year’s graduating class of Leadership 2.0 participants included:
Martin Afelbil – AAIA
Jamie Ardis – AGS Co.
Todd Bolon – GPI Technologies LLC
Laurie Bundschu – CARQUEST
Michael Buzzard – Uni-Select USA
Pat Cadam – Pat’s Garage
John Capela – CARQUEST
Jerry Carpenter – Liskey’s Auto & Truck Service
Jerry Crump – Sanel Auto Parts
Lindsey Ehlert – NGK Spark Plugs Inc.
Tim Folks – GPI Technologies
Kevin Gall – DeVilbiss Automotive Refinish
Dan Gatins – Tenneco Inc.
David Haun – The Gates Corp.
Jean Hernandez – Coyote Auto Repair
Ben Jorgensen – GPI Technologies
Eric Lacoste – Federal-Mogul Corp.
Diane Larson – Larson’s Service Inc.
Pedro Leyton – Parts Authority Southern
Thomas Litzinger – Motown Automotive Distributors
Matt Noir – Flynn’s Tire & Auto Service
Kenneth Pulaski – Hovis Auto & Truck Supply
Daniel Smyth – Smyth Automotive
John Tully – Norwood Motor Parts Co.
Rick Urso – Meineke Car Care Center
Ray Weidmann – Tenneco Inc.
Michael Westrom – Continental Automotive Systems
Jessica Wynn – Federal-Mogul Corp.
“There were many, many valuable aspects to the program but for me, I most enjoyed networking with every step of the supply chain, especially the service dealers,” said Federal-Mogul’s Eric Lacoste. “As manufacturers, we don’t usually get that kind of quality access to the various customers. The relevance of the class roster selection elevates the networking, as we all serve the same consumers.”
CARQUEST’s John Capela echoed Lacoste’s comments, adding, “The networking and relationships that I’ve developed through this program will benefit me personally and professionally for the rest of my career.”
There’s already quite a bit of interest in the next Leadership 2.0 class, which will begin Aug. 25, 2013, at the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies on Northwood University’s campus in Midland, Mich. Details on the next program are being finalized and will be unveiled at the upcoming Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium held May 21-22 in Chicago.
Leadership 2.0 is an intense and intellectually challenging two-week leadership development and learning experience. Participants in this year’s program represented a wide array of aftermarket companies at all levels of the industry. Session I was held at Northwood University’s Midland, Mich., campus in September 2012. Interested aftermarket professionals can visit www.universityoftheaftermarket.com and click “Course Calendar” to sign up for the next Leadership 2.0 class.
Participants received 7.0 credits toward completion of their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations.
