Northwood University will recognize seven prominent supporters of educational initiatives and learning within the automotive aftermarket industry with its prestigious Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award.

Recipients will receive their honors during a ceremony on Nov. 3 at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. The event will be held during AAPEX 2015 in conjunction with the Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP)/Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) graduation luncheon. These designations were developed in partnership with the Auto Care Association, AWDA, MEMA and Northwood University.

The Northwood University Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award is given to industry leaders, throughout the country, who have made noteworthy contributions to education, on any level, inside or outside of the industry. Their names and notable activities have been recorded in the awards book that will be distributed throughout the industry.

“Recipients of this honor are people of distinction, and the award is recognition of their significant dedication over a number of years to the educational process and the automotive aftermarket field,” said Keith Pretty, Northwood University president and CEO. “Our honorees devote considerable time and energy to education, making a worthwhile contribution within their industry and outside of it.”

This year’s winners include:

• David B. Coolidge, former CEO of Gearbox Holdings Inc.; former executive vice president, Global Automotive Aftermarket for the Bosch Group. During his career, Coolidge developed and implemented programs aimed at providing career opportunities for college students through co-op, intern and shadowing programs. He also established a best-in-class talent management system that includes semi-annual, two-day senior leadership team talent management meetings and other programs designed to support the training and educational needs of transmission specialists. Outside the industry, Coolidge serves as chairman of the Hoeft Technology and Management program, a cross-disciplinary honors program for the Business and Engineering colleges at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He also is co-founder and chairman of the Friends of Wheaton North Public Schools.
• Matthew J. Forner, director, aftermarket sales, Grote Industries. Forner has spearheaded and created a sales force and new employee training program that entails a 17-module system covering all aspects of Grote’s business, products and technology over its 114-year history. A modified version of this program now reaches Grote’s customer base. Forner also shares his talents as an educator, mentor and coach for youth in his community through his involvement in youth sports. He is the head varsity baseball coach for Indiana’s Shawe Memorial High School and a member of the Eastern Michigan University Marketing Club, his alma mater.
• David W. Kimbell, director of marketing, Arnold Motor Supply. Early in his career, Kimbell wrote and presented one of the first instructor-led, fuel injection clinics ever given to installers. On the distribution side, he has written 19 technical training modules, which were among the first to be used by the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance and the forerunner for the successful Alliance University. Kimbell has served as chairman of the Alliance’s Sales and Marketing Committee’s Training and Education subcommittee and has led efforts to move training to more contemporary platforms, including creating webinar training programs and the Certified Counter Pro and Certified Parts store programs. He now coordinates multi-faceted training programs at Arnold Motor Supply, which has constructed a 40,000-square-foot training center for employees and customers.
• James J. Lucas, director, new product development, Dorman Products. A Northwood University alumni, Lucas has led product development at his company and supports its Dorman University program. This Web-based training site provides access to training related to Dorman’s product categories for all channels of the aftermarket. Lucas is a strong proponent of the company’s college internship program and has mentored numerous Northwood University students. A graduate of the University of the Aftermarket’s Leadership 2.0 program, Lucas says he has benefitted from interacting and learning from his peers in the program and at industry events.
• Wally Marciniak, director of technical services, Brake Parts Inc. Throughout his 45-year career, Marciniak’s reputation as a trainer and educator is well-known. He leads his company in conducting sales and ASE tech training in the classroom, field clinics and through online programs. He aims to create training modules designed to increase customer satisfaction and overall profitability for technicians. A strong supporter of training and certification courses conducted by NATEF-certified instructors, Marciniak believes companies using this training are doing their part to improve customer satisfaction. He also is actively involved with education initiatives outside the aftermarket sector, including work with McHenry County College in Illinois, the DANA Leadership Academy and Little League Baseball, to name just a few.
• David L. McCartney, president, CARQUEST North America; senior vice president of Area 2, Advance Auto Parts. Throughout his career, McCartney has been a strong proponent of education and training. He supports the University of the Aftermarket’s Leadership 2.0 program and encourages his company’s employees to participate in this continuing education offering. He also is actively involved in the CARQUEST School of Business, an interactive, discussion and case-based learning initiative that is taught in conjunction with Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School. In his community, McCartney serves as youth soccer and baseball coach and a Sunday School teacher.
• John Minor, president, Midwest Wheel Companies. As a driving force in making sure his employees are the most educated in the industry, Minor firmly believes veteran workers play an important role in educating new employees on products and customers, while the younger workers provide insight on new technologies. Minor serves as a board mentor for GenNext HD, a newly formed networking group for young professionals in the heavy-duty industry. In addition, he and his company are committed to ongoing training and learning and participate in the Heavy Duty Leadership and Leadership 2.0 courses offered through Northwood University’s University of the Aftermarket.