MIDLAND, Mich. – Retired WORLDPAC CEO Tom O’Hare drew on his vast industry experience to share industry insights as well as leadership and career management advice with 36 automotive aftermarket professionals attending this year’s session of the University of the Aftermarket’s Leadership 2.0, the industry’s formal leadership-development program. 
Leadership 2.0, a two-week, residential aftermarket-focused education program, is designed to develop the leadership and business skills of the next generation of visionary industry professionals. Session I, which concluded on Aug. 29, met at the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies at the university’s Michigan campus. Participants will reconvene in March 2015 for Session II, which will take place on Northwood’s campus in West Palm Beach, Fla.
During each session, instructors blend decades of senior aftermarket experience with MBA-level instruction from Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School of Management faculty. The program includes discussion on industry trends and market analysis, debate of new challenges and competitive strategies, skills training in team and individual leadership, insight into supply-chain solutions and other critical issues facing the industry.
Participants in this year’s program represent the widest range of aftermarket companies and market segments in the program’s history.
Members of the 2014-2015 class include:
· Kelly Anderson, A-Plus Automotive Inc.
· Sue Bonino, Permatex Inc.
· Brian Bowersock, West Automotive Group
· Jerry Creamer, Midas Auto Service & Tires
· Rick Denton, Orleans Auto Supply Inc.
· Mike DiGregorio, Dorman Products
· Andrea Divis, Advance Auto Parts/CARQUEST
· Mike Englert, Uni-Select USA
· Dave Erb, Dave’s Ultimate Automotive
· Elizabeth Estes, Parts Warehouse Inc.
· Brent Fletcher, Federal-Mogul Motorparts
· Kelly Garrison, Maxi Automotive
· Dawn Gonzalez, Trico Products Corp.
· Victor Gonzalez, Uni-Select USA
· Chuck Hartogh, C&M Auto Service Inc.
· Carri Irby, Tenneco Inc.
· Melissa Jablonski, Delphi Product & Service Solutions
· Eric Johnson, The Merrill Co.
· Ryan Kooiman, Standard Motor Products
· Scott Kraus, O’Reilly Auto Parts
· Emily Lawler, Standard Motor Products
· Mike Mohler, National Pronto Association
· David Moilanen, Continental Corp.
· Eric Muir, Brighton Auto Service
· Geoff Nesburg, Service Auto Parts
· Shane Norman, Eastern Warehouse Distributors
· Dave Pinkham, Auto Care Association
· Ashley Portal, Standard Motor Products
· Aaron Rycroft, Tenneco Inc.
· Steffanie Savine, The Marx Group
· Jon Sechrist, Motown Auto Distributing Inc.
· Tim Tallent, NGK Spark Plugs (USA)
· Tom Trojan, Gates Corp.
· Rich Violette, Standard Motor Products
· Dan Winslade, Eastern Warehouse Distributors
· Jerry Zielinski, Motown Auto Distributing Inc.
Participants receive 7.0 credits toward completion of their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations.
For more information and to reserve a spot in the 2014-15 Leadership 2.0 class, visit www.universityoftheaftermarket.com or call 800-551-2882.
