CAWA has announced that Ted Wise, former co-president and chief operating officer of O’Reilly Auto Parts, has  been named as the keynote speaker for the organization’s annual gala. Thanks to the exclusive sponsorship of Motorcar Parts of America, all proceeds from the event go toward the association’s memorial scholarship fund.

A native of Springfield, Missouri, Wise attended Missouri State University. After graduation, he went to work at O’Reilly Automotive in a store as a delivery driver, which developed into 45-year career. As a store manager, he opened the company’s first retail/wholesale store and was later promoted to be the company’s first district manager responsible for developing O’Reilly’s dual-market business strategy. He became the company’s first vice president in charge of store operations, promoted to executive vice president of operations and sales, and later was promoted to co-president over all functions of store operation, sales, advertising/marketing and real estate/ expansion. To complete his career, he assumed the role of co-president and chief operating officer at O’Reilly Auto Parts.

Other activity within the industry includes dean of store operations at AWDA University, AWDA University Founders Award, AWDA board and chairman, Northwood University Education Award, AWDA Memorial Scholarship Award, Coalition for Auto Equality (CARE) director and later chairman.

To register for the gala event, click here.