WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The 26 members of the 2009-2010 University of the Aftermarket Leadership 2.0 class reconvened Sunday evening on the campus of Northwood University in West Palm Beach, Fla., to begin the final week of the annual executive development experience for aftermarket professionals. 
Session 2 began with a reception and dinner at the University’s Jeanette Hare Art Gallery, followed by a speech by Steve Handschuh, president and chief operating officer of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), an affiliate association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). An industry veteran of more than 30 years, Handschuh discussed the characteristics of effective leadership within the automotive aftermarket.
The agenda for the balance of the week includes daily aftermarket news discussions led by University of the Aftermarket Director Brian Cruickshank, AAP, as well as presentations by a variety of industry and academic experts. Another key element of this week’s session will be presentations of team research projects completed during the six-month intersession period. Each year the team with the best research project, as judged by the class and University of the Aftermarket leadership, is invited to present its findings during the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium. The 2010 GAAS will be held May 18 and 19 in Chicago.
“Based on the energy level and engagement of class members during our first session in September, I am looking forward to an exciting and intellectually challenging week,” Cruickshank said. “We have an excellent group representing each level of the aftermarket – and every one of them is focused on the long-term success of our great industry.”
Members of the 2009-2010 Leadership 2.0 class are:
Michael Anderson, Activant Solutions Inc.
Carl Arnold, NGK Spark Plugs USA
Gary Bostic, Remy International Inc.
Jeremy Denton, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
Justin Dwyer, Heavy Duty America
Todd Erwin, One Stop Parts Source
Timothy Feddema, Automotive Parts Headquarters
Joe Gage, International Parts Warehouse
James Gonzalez, Gonzalez Auto Parts
Lisa Henkel, Gates Corp.
Bill Johnston, Tenneco Inc.
Paul Kratzer, KYB America LLC
Matthew Laguardia, U.S. Chemical & Plastics
Mike McKee, Federal-Mogul Corp.
Tom Myroniak, Specialty Equipment Market Association
Tom Piper, ASA Parts Plus
Sherri Rains, Blitz USA
Ron Rossi, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association
Scott Sutton, Standard Auto Parts
Ryan Tarbert, The Timken Co.
Trevor Tennant, AAP, Piston Ring Service
Loretto Thompson, CARQUEST
Dean Toole, Alliance Parts Warehouse LLC
Debbie Vandecaveye, Tenneco Inc.
David Vaughan, Eastern Auto Warehousing
Tony Zanders, Heritage Auto Repair
Registration will begin soon for the 2010-2011 Leadership 2.0 experience. The first session will take place Sept. 12-17, on Northwood University’s Midland, Mich., campus. The second session will occur April 3-8, 2011, on the West Palm Beach campus.
For more information regarding the Leadership 2.0 experience and other programs available through the University of the Aftermarket, visit www.universityoftheaftermarket.com, or call 800-551-2882.
