The Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast (AAAS) and the Automotive Aftermarket Association Mid-South (AAAMS) recently held a joint annual conference at the Sandestin Resort in Miramar Beach, Florida, to announce the official merger of the two long serving associations.
The newly formed super regional association will operate as the Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast (AAAS) effective Jan. 1, 2023. The association headquarters will be based in Montgomery, Alabama. Each association’s board of directors voted unanimously to approve combining the two groups.
AAAS will represent nine states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and New York. The newly formed association will be best positioned to serve the needs and interests of the membership and the industry.
AAAS Chairman Joe Ward, of First Call Truck Parts in Tallahassee, Florida, said regarding the merger, “We were honored to have been asked by the leaders of AAAMS to consider a merger. We all know these are challenging times, and the need for an effective industry association has never been greater. Every aftermarket business needs the strongest advocate possible and the strongest business support possible. It did not take our two boards of directors much time to determine that a merger of the two great associations would put us in the best, strongest position to fulfill our mission of service and support for the industry and the individual aftermarket business member. We look forward to January 1, 2023, and working together to build an ever-greater association.”
AAAMS Executive Vice President Randy Lisk noted that AAAMS will transition during the remaining months of 2022 and will begin immediately transferring many administrative duties to the AAAS staff. AAAMS will cease operations on Dec. 31, 2022. Lisk stated, “The additional benefits to the members of both associations are immeasurable. The highly successful AAAS insurance programs that will soon be available to our members are just a few advantages. AAAS will also look to adopt several programs and services provided by AAAMS. Members of both boards agree that this merger provides a new level of capability and strength in numbers as the association carries out its mission of service to the industry. AAAS will work to form an even closer relationship with our national Association, Auto Care Association, and other national groups to build cooperation and the strongest possible coalitions to best serve our industry.”
Current AAAMS President Rich Blose, Interstate Batteries, who also currently serves on the AAAS Board of Directors, has been instrumental in spearheading this effort. Blose stated, “Now that AAAMS has announced it is combining forces with AAAS, we will become the largest regional aftermarket association in the United States with some 750 members, and confidently expect future growth. We are very proud to join forces with the members of this exceptional association.”
AAAS President Randal H. Ward, CAE, will remain CEO, and AAAMS Executive Vice President Randy Lisk will continue to serve the five states currently represented by AAAMS. Ward stated that “having Randy remain in place and become a member of the AAAS team was extremely important as the two associations came to an agreement on the merger. Randy will add greatly to the association’s capabilities, and he will be available to assist with all projects and programs along with the entire AAAS team. We are very excited about this merger and the opportunities it represents. AAAS will be stronger, more effective, and a greater value to each and every member as well as the industry as a whole on January 1, 2023. There is indeed strength in numbers.”
