The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance prides itself on being a customer-centric organization that drives its business around the needs and expectations of its service center customers. Central to that focus is the association’s Service Center Advisory Council – an assemblage of North America’s top tier shop owners who are appointed to advise and counsel the Alliance on business matters critical to shop owners.
Being appointed to the Service Center Advisory Council is not just ceremonious recognition for being a large and prestigious shop. Members are asked to attend quarterly meetings, whether in person or via teleconference to consider broad industry and economic trends and how the service/repair business will be impacted by them. They also provide input and guidance to review and develop any new programs related to Certified Service Centers and provide direction to the Alliance Sales and Marketing Committee and headquarters staff. Members act as a representative voice of all Alliance customers in business matters related to service centers.
The five shops chosen this year to be added to the Service Center Advisory Council were:
- Daryl Kulscar (Driven Automotive, Regina, Saskatchewan)
- VJ Sabanaygam (VJ’s Auto Service, Arcadia, California)
- Jeff Sexton (Sexton’s Automotive, Fairborn, Ohio)
- Joe Gibbons (Gibbons Automotive Inc., Media, Pennsylvania)
- Jack Eichenberg (Sunset Automotive, Chandler, Arizona)
The Service Center Advisory Council consists of 10 active members. Each member of the council serves a two-year term with a new five members being selected every year. In addition, two members of previous councils that have served with distinction are asked to return at each annual retreat.
The next annual retreat is scheduled for the last week of September. The event is being hosted by Bosch at its facilities in and around Charlotte, North Carolina, where the council will attend a three-day, face-to-face session including working sessions and tours of Bosch training, research and manufacturing facilities.
