SAN ANTONIO – Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper hosted its seventh annual National Advisory Councils for its parts stores and certified service centers on Sept. 19-20, in San Antonio, TX.
The purpose of the Advisory Councils is for council members to examine the industry within their own markets, review national programs and help plan for the future. Council members also serve on their local advisory councils representing other Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper members. Warehouse distributors nominate members that must meet specific criteria to be eligible to serve on these elite assemblies of aftermarket professionals.
According to Steve Marks, senior vice president of marketing/advertising for Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper, one of the main issues both councils want to focus on in the future is bringing their communications into the ‘electronic age.’
“We looked at three to five year plans, and where we want to be in the future,” said Marks. “We’re going to increase our Internet marketing presence at both levels — the stores and service centers – and we plan to shore up our communications downstream, moving a lot of our communications to electronic rather than paper. This is probably the biggest thing we discussed on both sides.”
In addition to electronic communication being timelier, Marks said the Service Dealer and Jobber Councils see value in being able to more easily reach out to customers via email.
“Communication via email is the way of the world today,” Marks added. “We are going to adapt to that and bring our customers along as well. We’re going to start pushing it downstream rather than waiting for them [the customers] to come get it.”
The standard 10-member Jobber Advisory Council serves for one year. Chairman Jim Harthorn of Auto-Wares, Inc. said, “I look forward to coming to these meetings. It’s great to brainstorm with store owners from across the country and see what their viewpoints are on our programs and what we can do to help them succeed even more.”
The 12-person Service Dealer Council agrees to serve a three-year term and attend one Regional Advisory Council. Mark Doornbos of Parts Depot, chairman of the Service Dealer Advisory Council, said, “Every member brings their own strengths based on their market and their own business. It’s great to be a part of such a powerful group that represents our entire certified service center membership so well.”
“All of our council members bring a lot to the table,” said Richard Morgan, president and CEO of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, parent organization to Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper. “They’re smart and savvy about our industry and their own businesses. Each is a success story in their own right and continually seeks ways to grow their business. That’s who I’d want representing me, if I was a shop or store owner.”
2007 Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper council members:
Jobber Advisory Council:
· Charlie Algaard, Auto Value – Bemidji, MN
· Michael Bones, Bones Auto Parts – Monticello, AR
· Brandi Rowland Butts, Jerry’s Auto Parts – Eastman, GA
· Tim Caffrey, A to Z Auto Parts – Monmouth Junction, NJ
· Joe Hoye, Bumper to Bumper – Bloomington, IL
· Bennie Lynn, Bumper to Bumper – Henderson, KY
· Cindy Schulz, Parts Hut – Hartland, WI
· Mark Smith, Wholesale Auto Parts – Summerville, WV
· Chuck Towne, All Seasons Auto Parts – Johns Island, SC
Service Dealer Council:
· Iain Barber, Fairfield Shell – Virginia Beach, VA
· Bob Barlow, Gateway Auto Clinic – Kettering, OH
· Mick Cipolla, Courteous Car Care – Largo, FL
· Mike Foster, Duxler Tire – Libertyville, IL
· Mike Hadley, Mike’s Parts & Service – Richland, IA
· David Hann, Imported Car Care Center – West Berlin, NJ
· Chuck Hartogh, C&M Auto Repair – Glenview, IL
· Bill James, Bill’s Quality Automotive – Tulsa, OK
· Leonard Jergenson, Jergenson’s Auto Repair – Willmar, MN
· Bob Lanpher, B&W Tire and Auto Service Center – Winter Haven, FL
· Jim O’Neill, Chino Autotech – Chino, CA
· Mark Workman, Mark’s Super Service – Charleston, SC
