MIDLAND, Mich. — Thirty-two motor vehicle parts and repair industry professionals assembled on the campus of Northwood University in Midland, Mich., Sunday for Session I of the University of the Aftermarket’s 2011-2012 Leadership 2.0 executive development experience. The class is the largest in program history and represents virtually every segment of the industry, according to University of the Aftermarket Director Brian Cruickshank, MAAP.
“We’ll have the owners of vehicle service businesses working alongside large and small distributors and manufacturers, with participants sharing ideas on how to position their businesses for long-term success,” Cruickshank said. “This is real-world education for the aftermarket at its very best.”
Session I began Sunday night with a convocation ceremony in Northwood’s Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies. The highlight of the evening was the opening address by Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance President and CEO John Washbish, MAAP. A Northwood alumnus, Washbish discussed three primary drivers of success in today’s aftermarket – technology, collaboration and smart decision-making.
Developed through a collaboration between industry leaders and the faculty of Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School of Management, the Session I curriculum includes a blend of industry research and market analysis, discussion and debate on aftermarket challenges and competitive strategies, and a variety of leadership education activities. Participants also will be assigned research projects to be completed before Session II in April 2012.
Members of the 2011-2012 class are:
· Nikki Ayers, Ayers Automotive Repairs
· Christopher Battershell, Federal-Mogul Corp.
· Courtney Carbone, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association
· Steve Chetwood, NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.)
· Ben Devlin, Halton Automotive
· Dean Dibley, Uni-Select
· Rudy Epp, Rudy’s Auto Service
· William Flaherty, Stant USA Corp.
· Jennifer Gilbertson, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association
· Chris Hillestad, NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.)
· Tracie Howerter, Gates Corp.
· Dan Humphrey, The Timken Co.
· Rob Jones, Epicor Software Corp. (formerly Activant)
· Jeffrey Koviak, Tenneco
· Brent Kulcsar, Auto Electric Service
· Adam Lee, Lang Distributing
· Jon McSweeney, GPI/CARQUEST
· Michelle Menendez, MacKenzie Warehouse
· Dwayne Myers, Dynamic Automotive
· Doug Rockefeller, Tenneco
· Corey Roppel, Roppel Industries
· Larry Sandlin, Auto Electric & Carburetor Co.
· Greg Sharrar, The Tire Mart
· Geoffrey Shifflett, Fisher Auto Parts
· Patricia Spierling, R.L. Polk & Co.
· Adam Stranik, Midas
· Sean Tucker, Accessories Marketing/Slime
· Kent Van Oort, Gates Corp.
· Jeffrey Walter, Zimmerman’s Auto Service
· Blake Ward, Southeast Automotive Warehouse
· Wesley Ward, Wes Ward Auto Repair
· Mike Whiteis, Automotive Parts Headquarters
Leadership 2.0 and other University of the Aftermarket programs are presented through significant financial support from the independent University of the Aftermarket Foundation and Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association. Program graduates earn 7.0 continuing education units that can be applied toward their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations.
To learn more about Leadership 2.0 and other University of the Aftermarket programs, call 1-800-551-2882, visit www.universityoftheaftermarket.com or send an email to [email protected].
