PHOENIX — Federated bestowed several awards at the group’s annual awards banquet held last night in Phoenix, Ariz., including the coveted Art Fisher Memorial Award and also announced the 2011 Vendor Hall of Fame inductee.
Jay Burkhart, senior vice president, Global Aftermarket of Federal-Mogul, was inducted as the 2011 Vendor Hall of Fame member.
“He’s been a valued friend, adviser and someone who we can count on. He’s a great example of what this award is all about,” Bo Fisher, chairman, owner and CEO of Fisher Auto Parts, said of Burkhart, adding he’s a “close, strategic ally.”
Jim Sechrist, of Motown Automotive, received the Art Fisher Memorial Award, but was unable to attend the ceremony. Sechrist has served on the Federated Board of Governors and currently serves on the Executive Committee.
Federated also announced the group will be a corporate sponsor for the Marine’s Toys for Tots program. The group, founded in 1947, provides toys to underprivileged kids during the holidays. Toys for Tots gave out 16.7 million toys to 7.2 million kids in 2010.
Federated auctioned off race packages during the awards banquet to benefit Toys for Tots, raising $65,000 in the span of about 10 minutes. Vendors and Federated members alike bid on NASCAR race packages that included luxury section tickets, a helmet autographed by all the drivers and the chance to start the race at the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sprint Cup "Race Before the Chase" on Sept. 8 in Richmond, Va.
After some intense bidding, Federated member Keystone Auto Parts donated $10,000 in a bid that was matched 100 percent by Fisher Auto Parts. In separate bid by vendors, Federal-Mogul pledged $20,000, which Federated also matched 100 percent. Federal-Mogul then gave up the signed helmet for further bidding to raise more money. With Affinia donating $5,000 for the helmet, the total came to $65,000.
The complete list of Federated award recipients honored on Thursday night included:
· Outstanding Vendor of the Year – SMP (Standard Motor Products)
· Art Fisher Memorial Award – Jim Sechrist of Motown Automotive
· Federated Co-Man Vendor of the Year – KYB
· 2011 Vendor Hall of Fame – Jay Burkhart of Federal-Mogul
· Federated Car Care Support Appreciation: ACDelco, Bosch, CARDONE, CRC, Dayco, Denso, Dorman, Duragloss, East Penn, Federal-Mogul, Strong Arm, Gates, Gent-L-Kleen, Grote Industries, Hastings, J-B Weld, Krylon/Dupli-Color, KYB America, Lisle Corp., Magnaflow, MotoRad, NGK, Rayovac, Remy, SMP, Spectra Premium, Tenneco, USA Industries, WAI
· Vendor of the Year – Electronic Cataloging – Dorman
· Federated Co-Man Vendor of the Year – Order Fill – Anchor Industries
· Vendor of the Year – Sales Representation – Affinia Brake & Chassis
· Vendor of the Year – Marketing – Federal-Mogul
· Vendor of the Year – Education & Training – ACDelco
· Vendor of the Year – Order Fill – Hastings
· Vendor of the Year – Order Fill – USA Industries
· Industry Advocacy Award – Tim Trudnowski
· Marketing Member of the Year – Fisher Auto Parts
· Co-Man Member of the Year – Cold Air Distributors Warehouse of Florida
