The 2015 Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award was awarded to Susan Kalish, senior director, education, Auto Care Association, on Sept. 10 at the Auto Care Association Fall Leadership Days in Austin, Texas.

Kalish was recognized for her vision, hard work, leadership, consensus-building, multi-tasking and service to several critically important association task forces, segments and committees as well as the industry at large.

Specifically, she was selected to receive the 2015 award in recognition of her:

• Development and delivery of AAPEX education sessions designed to enhance the business potential and competitive advantage of auto care companies and professionals. The number of AAPEX education sessions has grown from six to more than 50 during her tenure.

• Development and delivery of the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week education conference working side by side with HDAW leaders.

• Introduction of the association’s Head of the Class award program, which recognizes companies that invest in education and training for their employees. Winning companies are offered as examples for other industry companies to follow.

• Under her guidance the association’s Education Committee developed and launched baseline resources and tools, including a website, www.autocarecareers.org, and factsheets for a comprehensive auto care careers initiative.

• Commitment to the education of current and future auto care industry professionals.

Kalish holds the Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designation from the University of the Aftermarket, serves on the Global Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship Committee and on the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) Education Committee.

The Mort Schwartz Award is given annually to the person, company or educational institution that best advances the concepts and programs for education or continuing education in the North American auto care industry. It is administered by the Auto Care Association Education Committee, and was created to reward innovation of new auto care industry education programs, advancement of existing programs and/or superlative effort to further promote the educational programs or education fund raising efforts established by its namesake.