New Import Vehicle Community Congratulates People Award Winners

New Import Vehicle Community Congratulates People Award Winners

The winners were Kathleen Schmatz, Auto Care Association, for the Hall of Fame; Steve Hughes, Centric Parts, for the Peter Klotz Person of the Year; Grant Kitching, Walker Products, for the Lifetime Achievement award; and Scott Drozd, FCP Euro, as the Young Executive of the Year.

AIA Award Winners
Photo credit: Babcox Media/Mel Sayre.

Last week, during its annual awards luncheon, the Auto International Association (AIA), a segment of the Auto Care Association, officially announced it has changed its name to the Import Vehicle Community. For more than a year, the segment’s leadership conducted an extensive rebranding initiative, culminating in the formal name change announcement on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at AAPEX in Las Vegas.

Ira Davis, chairman of the Import Vehicle Community’s Executive Leadership Council, opened the program with welcome remarks, and provided an overview of the segment’s rebrand and the reasons for it. He also recognized the Import Vehicle Community’s Product Award winners, which were announced Tuesday, Nov. 3 at a special ceremony near the Import Vehicle Community booth and product showcase.

In addition, more than 400 attendees helped to congratulate these winners of the highly acclaimed Import Vehicle Community People Awards:

  • Hall of Fame: Kathleen Schmatz, Auto Care Association
  • Peter Klotz Person of the Year: Steve Hughes, Centric Parts
  • Lifetime Achievement: Grant Kitching, Walker Products
  • Young Executive of the Year: Scott Drozd, FCP Euro

The Import Vehicle Community thanks these individuals for their many contributions to the industry. The winners are determined based on nominations submitted by Import Vehicle Community members. For more information, visit autocare.org/Who-We-Are/Segments/import-vehicle-community/awards.html.

You May Also Like

DOJ, FTC Support MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers’ Petition

The petition expands consumer access to vehicle operational, diagnostic and telematics data.

MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers applauds the March 14 submission from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to the U.S Copyright Office supporting MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers’ petition for a new exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)’s anti-circumvention provisions, which prohibit bypassing copyright protection systems. MEMA’s proposed exemption would allow consumers to view their vehicle’s telematics data and share that data with third-party repairers. The DOJ and FTC agreed with MEMA that providing consumers access to their vehicle’s telematics data would pose a minimal threat to copyright holders. Just as important, they agreed that this data could be accessed without increasing cybersecurity risks. 

YANG Holds Regional Meetup with Leadership 2.0 Session

The event took place March 11 at the Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte/SouthPark in Charlotte, North Carolina.

YANG Leadership 2.0
MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers’ MiX Certifications Announced

DRiV’s Elisse Richardson and Gates Corporation’s Bryce Neumeier were recognized for their commitment to excellence in their respective roles.

MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers’ MiX Certifications Announced
Auto Care Association Launches REPAIR Act Video

The goal is to emphasize the need for federal REPAIR Act legislation, according to the Auto Care Association.

Right to repair 2
MEMA Q1 Webinar to Feature Wedbush Analyst Seth Basham

The webinar is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on March 13.

Seth Basham MEMA

Other Posts

Stoneridge Appoints Chief Technology Officer

Most recently, Troy Cooprider was VP of global technology, responsible for leading product innovation, advanced engineering and technology strategy.

Stoneridge Appoints Chief Technology Officer
MBE Group Promotes Gretchen Bennett to Account Manager

Bennett will support strategic initiatives for clients, including media relations, event management, content development and more.

MBE Group Promotes Gretchen Bennett to Account Manager
Advance Auto Parts Appoints Three New Independent Directors

With the appointments, the company’s board will temporarily expand to 12 directors.

Advance Auto Parts
New Sponsorship Opportunities for Auto Care Connect

Auto Care Connect, taking place May 5-8 in downtown Chicago, annually brings together professionals from across the auto care sector.

Auto Care Connect