Multi Parts has announced the individuals who have been selected to participate in its SPARK2016 program. All selected students will attend AAPEX, being held Nov. 1-3 in Las Vegas. The company said this year’s selection process was hyper-focused on students who demonstrated interest in pursuing professional careers in the core business areas of the automotive aftermarket, including product development, marketing, sales, finance, entrepreneurship, information technology and human resources.
“Industry growth is predicated on recruiting and retaining these positions,” said Multi Parts President Brian Cohn. “This is especially important in our narrow corner of the automotive industry. We know that when students experience the aftermarket from the inside out, interest follows. There is no better place than AAPEX for aspiring aftermarket professionals to see the reality and potential of this industry and explore its near endless career opportunities.”
The brainchild of Multi Parts Chairman Barry Cohn, the SPARK Initiative has grown from just six participants in 2014’s inaugural year to 14 this year. A dynamic one-of-a-kind introduction to the aftermarket, the SPARK Initiative delivers SPARK2016 selectees specifically designed and developed programming at the AAPEX show, including meet and greet opportunities with key industry leadership and in-show outings orchestrated and hosted by Multi Parts’ team members. Among the various activities planned for this year, the Luminary Lunch promises to include some of the biggest names in the aftermarket, according to Multi Parts.
“Each year that we are able to connect more talented young people to the industry icons in manufacturing, distribution and the associations, is a win for the aftermarket,” said Barry Cohn. “When they see our industry presented on full display at AAPEX, they really get it and want to be a part of it. That’s the power of SPARK.”
Among this year’s selectees are present and former Global Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship recipients and U.S. Military Veterans and members. All SPARK2016 participants will wear Multi Parts’ shirts adorned with the U.S. flag, veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces also will have their branch of service embroidered on the sleeve.
The SPARK2016 Selectees are:
- Melina Amico, Northwood University
- Charles Bennett, Florida Atlantic University College of Engineering & Computer Science
- Rachel Berbert, Chipola College
- Austin Beyer, Northwood University
- John Coolidge, Indiana University Bloomington
- Alesandra D’Agostino, Northwood University
- Antonio De La Torre, Northwest Nazarene University
- Katherine Dooley, Northwood University
- Ryan Hower, Palm Beach State College
- Garrett Meyer, Boise State University
- Brooke Peckham, Grand Rapids Community College
- Jordan Renkas, Northwood University
- Marcus Santillana, Irvine Valley College
- Adam Wolfe, Southern Illinois University—Carbondale
