LAS VEGAS — E. Fletcher Lord Jr., president and CEO of Replacement Parts, Inc. in Little Rock, Ark., has been named the 2009 recipient of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Leader of the Year Award. Each year, AWDA bestows this prestigious award on an aftermarket professional who has contributed to the industry in a unique and significant way. Lord was presented the award at AWDA’s reception Sunday evening. 
A veteran of more than 40 years in the aftermarket distribution business, Lord has spent nearly his entire career at Replacement Parts and its predecessor organizations (now divisions) Crow-Burlingame Co. and Parts Warehouse Inc. During his tenure with Replacement Parts, Lord has witnessed, and in recent years led, the company’s dramatic expansion throughout the southern United States.
His company’s size and reputation notwithstanding, it is Lord’s on-going industry involvement and support that makes him so worthy of the Leader of the Year Award.
In addition to his duties as company CEO, over the years Lord has dedicated the time and resources necessary to serve as chairman of the Distributors Institute, president of the Super Service Club of the Distributors Institute, first chairman of the ACDelco Dedicated Distribution Group Steering Committee, chairman of the board of Automotive Aftermarket Alliance and in 2005-’06 chairman of the board of AWDA.
In 1997, Lord earned his Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) designation and has made involvement in Northwood’s career and development program a requirement for his executives. In 2007, Lord’s long-term contributions to the industry were recognized by Northwood University with its prestigious Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award.
Said former AWDA Chairman Doug Washbish of Moog-Louisville Warehouse, “Fletcher’s history of volunteer leadership within AWDA and our industry is well documented. His success in leading Parts Warehouse speaks for itself. What stands out to me is Fletcher’s genuineness. He has a genuine respect for people, and a genuine sense of integrity and fairness that people recognize and appreciate, especially when times or decisions are not so easy. Fletcher is everything this award represents.”
