The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance has announced Tory Boerema of Auto-Wares Group of Companies in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Andy Bergstrom of The Merrill Co. in Omaha, Nebraska as the 2018-’19 Leadership 2.0 scholarship award winners.
Each year, the Alliance awards scholarships valued at more than $6,000 each for two members to attend the challenging two-week executive development course offered through Northwood University.
“Supporting training and leadership development is critical to ongoing success in this industry. We are proud to award these scholarships to two deserving and committed Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper members,” said John R. Washbish, president and CEO of the Alliance. “We are committed to investing in the industry’s next generation of leaders.”
With 20 years in the industry, Boerema is ASE P2 certified, has received AST2 sales training, and is an import parts specialist and Parts Plus University Parts Specialist. At Auto-Wares Group of Companies, he currently oversees the daily operations of 11 part stores and desires to enhance the work environment of his staff. Boerema believes leadership is a skill that must be constantly practiced and challenged, and is very excited to be selected to attend the Leadership 2.0 course.
“I’ve been looking forward to attending Leadership 2.0 for years, and I’m thrilled to have been selected by the Alliance for this scholarship,” said Boerema. “I’m excited to implement the new techniques and share current aftermarket trends with my team that I learn in this course.”
Bergstrom started in the aftermarket making deliveries and working the counter part time all while completing his business administration management degree. Now, with more than 13 years in the industry and a member of the Auto Care Association’s Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG), he is an ASE Certified Parts Specialist and has completed the Dale Carnegie Skills for Success course. At The Merrill Co., he also has completed its management trainee program and was named the Manager of the Year.
Bergstrom also is an active member of the National Guard and has participated in multiple warrior leader training courses. He hopes to apply the knowledge learned at Leadership 2.0 to shape the future of the aftermarket. “I am so proud to have been selected for the Leadership 2.0 scholarship,” said Bergstrom. “With this course, I know I’ll be able to enhance my skills and advance as an aftermarket leader.”
As part of their participation in Leadership 2.0, both scholarship winners will attend two intensive one-week sessions. The first is being held at the Northwood University campus in Midland, Michigan, with a focus on industry trends, research and market analysis, competitive strategies and supply chain solutions, including numerous lectures from industry leaders. Each attendee will be assigned to a team that will collaborate on an aftermarket specific project over the ensuing six months.
The second session will be in the spring of 2019. At that time, they will again be exposed to industry experts on a variety of subjects including business ethics, risk management and a variety of other subjects all while reviewing and completing assigned team projects.
