BETHESDA, Md. – Rusty Bishop, CEO, Federated Auto Parts Distributors, has been named chair of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, an organization that provides funding for aftermarket education programs and research. Bishop accepted the volunteer position at a meeting of the Foundation Board of Trustees held during AAPEX earlier this month in Las Vegas. 
Bishop is a member of the board of directors of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and a past chair of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA).
“I am honored to serve as chair of an organization that really makes a difference for our industry,” said Bishop. “By awarding grants throughout the year, the foundation, through its donors, ensures that education will have a stabilizing influence on the future of the aftermarket.”
Bishop began his career in the automotive aftermarket 40 years ago with Fisher Auto Parts. During his time at Fisher, he worked in warehouse and jobber store management and served as a director of the company. In 1985, Bishop co-founded Federated Auto Parts Distributors, which has grown to become one of the nation’s largest automotive parts distribution networks. Bishop holds the position of CEO with Federated, which is headquartered in Staunton, Va.
Bishop’s service to the aftermarket includes: Board of Directors of ASIA 1991-1993; AWDA Membership and Marketing Committee chairman 1999-2002; AWDA Board of Governors 2000-2003 and 2005-present. In 2006, Bishop entered the AWDA board and served as chairman in 2009. Bishop also joined the AAIA board as a director in 2009.
Northwood University presented Bishop with its Annual Automotive Aftermarket Management Educational Award in 2008. He earned AWDA’s “Pursuit of Excellence” Award in 2009 and AAIA’s Aftermarket Advocate Award in 2010. Earlier this year, AWDA appointed Bishop to serve as AWDA’s representative on OptiCat’s Advisory Board.
