SAN ANTONIO, Texas — During its annual winter shareholder meeting held Dec. 6-9 in Boca Raton, Fla., Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Inc. (Alliance) paid tribute to retiring president Richard "Dick" Morgan. The evening was a who’s who of the aftermarket with special guests spanning Dick’s career sharing a few stories and wishing him well.

The festivities began at the Boca Raton Resort & Club on the evening of Dec. 8, with a showing of Dick’s 2003 AWDA Automotive Leader of the Year video followed by live and video taped messages from business associates, colleagues and friends.

Joe Owen set the mood with the humorous retelling of Dick’s hole-in-one shot followed by Eli Futerman, current chairman of the board for Alliance, presenting Dick with a lifetime achievement award.

Video messages included people’s first impressions of Dick, what they have admired most about him during the years, his contributions to the industry and specifically to the success of Alliance and what Dick’s negotiating style is like. Some memorable quotes came from the question of, “If Dick were an animal, what would he be?” Answers ranged from a larger-than-life bear to the odd black rhino.

Those who made pre-recorded messages to Dick included Richard Berman, Dorman Products; Rollie Olson, Parts Depot; Paul Johnson, ACDelco; Dennis Spooner, Merrill Co.; John Kelley, IAP Dura; Jeff Brekke, Gates Rubber Co.; Michael Cardone Jr., CARDONE; Dennis Waelvert, Dayco Rubber Products; Gordon Ulsh, Exide Technologies; Chuck Patton, IAP Dura; Fletcher Lord, Parts Warehouse; Bruce Tartaglione, United Components; Jose Maria Alapont, Federal-Mogul; Frank Ordonez, Delphi Products; Tom Aliotti, Activant Solutions; Fred Bunting, Auto-Wares; Neal Yanos, Tenneco; Greg David, Valvoline; John Washbish, incoming president of Alliance; Dean Toole, Alliance Parts Warehouse; Dan Langdon, East Penn Manufacturing; Joe Felicelli, BBB Industries; Larry Sills, Standard Motor Products; and Doug Washbish, Moog Louisville Warehouse.

Special video messages came from two of Dick’s longtime friends who weren’t able to be present for the evening. One of America’s most respected outdoorsmen and Dick’s frequent hunting and fishing partner, Alan Warren of Alan Warren Outdoors showcased some memorable moments from year’s past. Bob Schieffer, CBS’s chief Washington correspondent and anchor and moderator of Face The Nation, sent well wishes to his elementary school friend from behind his newscast desk.

Speakers who gave live messages included Pete Calo, CARDONE; Joe Pomaranski, Tenneco; Bill Sheehan, Wix Filters; Kathleen Schmatz, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association; David O’Reilly, O’Reilly Auto Parts; Walter Spence, Tri-States Automotive; longtime childhood friend, Johnny Rutherford; Fotios Katsardis, TEMOT International; Roy Kent, Federal-Mogul; Steve Connolly, Gates Rubber Co.; Tony DelGozzo, AP Exhaust; Garey Lange, Standard Motor Products; Bob Egan, Federal-Mogul and wrapping up the evening was Steve Marks, senior vice president marketing and advertising for Alliance.  

 “I can count on one hand those who have been lifelong mentors to me—and Dick, you are one of them. You have given me tremendous opportunity. You have taught me the automotive aftermarket business like no other. We have done really great work together,” Marks said.

Marks then congratulated Dick and his wife Linda on their many achievements, wished them well in their future and gave the stage over to the honoree of the evening.

“I can’t find the words to say how much I appreciated everything that went into this special evening for me and my wife Linda. There were a lot of laughs, a few tears and lots of good memories,” said Morgan, president and CEO of Alliance. “It’s been a long road getting here – more than 50 years – and it’s been a great ride. I look forward to this next step but I won’t be too far from the aftermarket – I guess it’s just in my blood.”

John Washbish, current executive vice president who will take over the reigns of president from Dick on Jan. 1, 2010, said, “This was a group effort from everyone who has known and worked with Dick over the years. We had to find a way to express our well-wishes for him but also to thank him for his many contributions. I believe we accomplished that this evening.”