WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – “An Amazing experience – hands-down one of the best of my professional career.” These were the sentiments of one aftermarket professional who, along with 24 industry peers, completed the 2008-09 University of the Aftermarket Leadership 2.0 program April 18 on the Florida campus of Northwood University. The outgoing class, representing virtually every level of the aftermarket value chain, finished the second of two intensive weeklong on-campus sessions before receiving certificates of completion and returning to their jobs.
Leadership 2.0 is the aftermarket industry’s cornerstone executive development program for manufacturer, distributor, retail, association, program group and service dealer professionals.
“In a word, this year’s class – and the overall Leadership 2.0 experience – were phenomenal,” said Brian Cruickshank, AAP, director of the University of the Aftermarket. “The intensity of our discussions, the dedication and creativity exhibited in the team projects, and the formal and informal teambuilding activities were extremely valuable in helping participants embrace their roles in driving the growth of our industry.”
The 2008-09 Leadership 2.0 graduates are:
· Jon Anderson, Auto Parts Headquarters/Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance
· Margaret Beck, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
· Mirela Beecham, Federal-Mogul
· Paul Berger, ExxonMobil
· David Boer, Dorman Products Inc.
· Richard Bowen, ExxonMobil
· Nathan Breunig, Diesel Injection Service Inc.
· Leslie Cibor, TRICO Products
· Lisa Emmert, Advance Auto Parts
· Dan Hayes, Full Service Auto Parts/National Pronto
· Sue Kalish, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association
· David Lambert, Tenneco Inc.
· Aaron Lowe, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association
· David Manor, TRICO Products
· Jim Muse, Finish Master
· James O’Neill, Chino Autotech Inc.
· John Perrin, Tenneco Inc.
· Mark Phillips, Babcox Publications/Counterman Magazine
· Ann Robinson, NGK Spark Plugs USA
· Chris Smyth, Smyth Automotive/Automotive Distribution Network
· Vic Tarasik, Vic’s Precision Automotive
· Chip Tietze, J.C. Whitney
· Clive Treharne, Deb’s Auto Parts
· Jonathan Van Dorn, Robert Bosch LLC
· Lloyd Wells, Ridge and Kramer Auto Parts/Federated Auto Parts
Among the final week’s activities were presentations by Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association President and CEO Kathleen Schmatz, MAAP and University of the Aftermarket Foundation Executive Director David Caracci. Participants also studied a variety of industry challenges and spent hours each day sharing ideas for achieving increased competitiveness in today’s challenging, fast-paced business environment.
“I have been to several leadership courses over time, but Leadership 2.0 clearly stands out from the crowd,” said David Lambert, business planning and analysis manager, North American aftermarket, Tenneco Inc. “The chance to work and share ideas with your competitors and customers is absolutely invaluable. I’m not sure that opportunity exists in any other industry – can you imagine Google and Microsoft working side-by-side like our group did?”
Plans are already well underway for the 2009-10 Leadership 2.0 class, which will assemble for its first weeklong session Sept. 20-25, on the Northwood University campus in Midland, Mich. and conclude following four-and-a-half days on the Northwood campus in West Palm Beach, Fla., April 11-16, 2010.
For more information and to reserve a spot in the 2009-10 Leadership 2.0 class, please visit www.northwood.edu/aftermarket or call 1-800-551-2882.
