Brian Cruickshank Named Director of the University of the Aftermarket

After a four-month national search, Brian Cruickshank, AAP, has been named director of Northwood University’s University of the Aftermarket (U of A), effective Feb. 4. Cruickshank, an award-winning automotive journalist and editor, spent the last 14 years at Babcox Publications where he served in a number of editorial and leadership roles. Since 1999, he has worked as the editor of Counterman magazine, as well as directing the editorial content of all of Babcox Publication’s AAPEX properties, including AAPEX Today, the official daily magazine of the AAPEX show in Las Vegas.

by Amy Antenora

Editor

AKRON — After a four-month national search, Brian Cruickshank, AAP, has been named director of Northwood University’s University of the Aftermarket (U of A), effective Feb. 4.

Cruickshank, an award-winning automotive journalist and editor, spent the last 14 years at Babcox Publications where he served in a number of editorial and leadership roles. Since 1999, he has worked as the editor of Counterman magazine, as well as directing the editorial content of all of Babcox Publication’s AAPEX properties, including AAPEX Today, the official daily magazine of the AAPEX show in Las Vegas. Previously, he helped launch and manage Underhood Service magazine and numerous other primary and ancillary Babcox aftermarket titles. Over the years he has become a supporter of industry initiatives and education through his writing and volunteer work on several industry association committees. In 2006, he received Northwood University’s Automotive Education Award and earned his Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) degree from the University of the Aftermarket in 2003.

“Northwood University is excited to have Brian directing the University of the Aftermarket,” said Dr. Tim Nash, vice president, Graduate and Specialty Programs at Northwood University. “He is an industry leader who will bring great insight and passion to the position. We are very excited about the future, given Brian’s leadership of the U of A and The Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies opening early in 2008.”

While Cruickshank will work from a home office in Philadelphia, he will also maintain an office at The Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies on Northwood’s Midland, MI, campus. The building, which will house Northwood’s Automotive Aftermarket Program and the University of the Aftermarket, is slated to be completed in spring, 2008.

Cruickshank previously served in the United States Marine Corps and is a graduate of The Ohio State University where he earned bachelor’s degrees in both Journalism and French. He and his wife Dr. Poornima Rao will relocate to Philadelphia in June.

As a result of the announcement, Babcox Publications is currently seeking to fill the Counterman editor role. Interested candidates may contact Counterman Publisher Jon Owens.