MIDLAND, Mich. – The 2010-2011 class of the University of the Aftermarket Leadership 2.0 experience completed an action-packed week of activities, including a Friday morning graduation ceremony, on the Northwood University campus in West Palm Beach, Fla. With 27 graduates, this year’s class ranks as one of the largest in the history of the program.

“It was a fantastic week that left our participants both energized about their roles in this industry and exhausted by a lot of hard work,” said University of the Aftermarket Director Brian Cruickshank, MAAP. “It’s amazing to watch dozens of individuals become a truly cohesive team dedicated to identifying new ways to enhance the success of their organizations and the aftermarket.”
 
Offered with significant financial support from the independent University of the Aftermarket Foundation, Leadership 2.0 is the motor vehicle aftermarket industry’s signature executive development experience. The annual program comprises two weeks of industry-focused study, discussion and skills development. Demand for admission to the program has set new records in each of the past four years, and Cruickshank said industry professionals are already inquiring about the 2011-2012 class, which begins in September.
 
Among the highlights of Session II were the presentations of team projects that had been completed during the intercession period. Project topics this year were “Adoption of Technologies from Outside of the Aftermarket”; “The Role of Social Media in the Aftermarket”; “Impact of Alternative Energy Vehicles on the Aftermarket”; “Impact of New-Vehicle Sales on the Aftermarket”; “Influence of Private Label vs. Branded Product”; and “OE Warranties and Their Impact on the Aftermarket.”
 
“Our projects, as always, were very well-researched and brought several creative new ideas to the table,” Cruickshank said.
 
The 2010-2011 Leadership 2.0 graduates are:

Chase Baxley, The Parts House
Dan Bouchey, Qualis Automotive
Tim Clark, Automotive Parts Headquarters
Peter Daley, NGK Spark Plugs
Aaron DiBucci, Independent
Todd Friedt, Affinia Global Brake & Chassis
Julie Hallauer, Federal-Mogul Corp.
Brian Harper, CARQUEST Corp.
Glenn Heller, GM Customer Care & Aftersales
Ray Howell, Meineke Car Care Centers
Jason King, Affinia Group – Wix Filtration
Bai Li, M&M Rotors Inc.
Lisa McGunagle, Federal-Mogul Corp.
Jennifer Ortiz, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association
Charles Osgood, Tenneco Inc.
Mark Pollard, Activant Solutions Inc.
Brian Raymond, McLaughlin Automotive Stores
Glenn Schaefer, CARQUEST Canada Ltd.
Brad Sechrist, Motown Automotive Distributing Co. Inc.
Alan Segal, Automotive Supply Associates
Young Suhr Jr., APW Knox-Seeman Warehouse
Matthew Taylor, Remy Power Products
Greg Tellish, Gates Corp.
Michael Tucker, Federal-Mogul Corp.
Amanda Waller, The Timken Co.
Jacob Ward, Gates Corp.
Shane Williams, Auto Supply Co.       

To read four blog posts from last week’s Leadership 2.0 experience, click here.

For additional information regarding Leadership 2.0 and other University of the Aftermarket programs, visit www.universityoftheaftermarket.com or call 1-800-551-2882.