RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Committee has just announced that Gates Corp. has increased its support of the industry scholarship fund, which assists students who plan to pursue careers in the automotive aftermarket.
“It is not only an honor and privilege, but frankly a duty for those of us in the automotive aftermarket industry to invest in the future of our industry by supporting the Global Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship Fund,” said Jeff Brekke, president, North American Aftermarket, Gates. “In recognition of Pete and Annie Kornafel’s dedication and unselfish spirit with this initiative, Gates is pleased to increase its commitment in 2012 to $10,000 from $8,000.”
“Annie and I are honored to be recognized by Gates in this way,” said Pete Kornafel, chairman of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Committee. “We appreciate this donation and sincerely hope that other aftermarket professionals will follow this example and give back to the industry with a donation to the scholarship fund.”
Kornafel and his wife, Annie, have pledged to match select contributions to the GAAS Scholarship Fund and sponsorships of the 2012 GAAS event. As part of “The Kornafel Matching Challenge 2012,” the Kornafels will match, dollar-for-dollar, the contributions of first-time donors to the GAAS Scholarship Fund and first-time sponsors of GAAS 2012. The Kornafel Matching Challenge is capped at a total aggregate of $15,000.
The 2012 GAAS event, set for Wednesday and Thursday, May 16-17, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago, will focus on the theme, “One Industry: Endless Opportunities.” GAAS 2012 marks the 17th anniversary of the event, which annually gathers the leaders of the automotive aftermarket for education and networking opportunities. More details are available online. A brochure outlining all 2012 GAAS sponsorship opportunities is available for download at the GAAS website under the “Sponsorship” tab.
In its 16-year history, the GAAS Scholarship fund has presented more than $1.5 million in awards to more than 1,600 students. Applications are now being accepted online for the 2012 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarship, awarded to students planning automotive aftermarket careers. The application process is now entirely electronic through the GAAS scholarship website, www.AutomotiveScholarships.com. The deadline to apply is Saturday, March 31.
Additional scholarship funding comes from industry contributions from individuals, companies and foundations. Contributions can be made to the GAAS Scholarship Fund, c/o Susan Medick at AAIA, at 301-654-6664, or [email protected].
