University Of The Aftermarket's 'Heavy Duty Leadership' Begins At Northwood University

University Of The Aftermarket’s ‘Heavy Duty Leadership’ Begins At Northwood University

Twenty-seven heavy-duty aftermarket professionals gathered on July 21 at Northwood University for the start of the second annual Heavy Duty Leadership education conference. Heavy Duty Leadership is a weeklong leadership development program specifically designed for professionals working in the North American commercial vehicle aftermarket.

MIDLAND, Mich. – Twenty-seven heavy-duty aftermarket professionals gathered on July 21 at Northwood University for the start of the second annual Heavy Duty Leadership education conference. Heavy Duty Leadership is a weeklong leadership development program specifically designed for professionals working in the North American commercial vehicle aftermarket. Meritor’s Aftermarket & Trailer Group President Pedro Ferro discusses leadership with participants at the Heavy Duty Leadership conference.

Participants in the year’s class represent a wide range of heavy-duty aftermarket job functions and geographies. Companies include manufacturing, warehouse distribution, association, OES, data services, marketing services, commercial vehicle tire dealer and program group organizations. Specifically, this year’s class includes:

Peter Aleccia, R.L. Polk & Co.
Sheila Andrews, Heavy Duty Distribution Association
Steven Bair, CARQUEST
Steven Bashir, MAHLE Clevite
Rich Brahler, Brahler’s Truckers Supply
Michael Callison, Midwest Wheel
Thomas Carr Jr., The Timken Co.
Gary Crisp, ThyssenKrupp Crankshaft Co.
Sara Douglas, Weldon Parts
Joshua Dumas, Affinia Group
Greg Elliott, Link Manufacturing Ltd.
Lawrence Griffin, VIPAR Heavy Duty
Thomas Gyuriak Sr., X S Products LLC
Michael Hartman, SKF USA
Matt Hauser, Great Dane Trailers
Adam Honhera, Navistar
Matt Lawson, Dorman Products
Theresa Mailloux, MAHLE Clevite
Rod McConnell, Sanel Heavy Duty
Patrick Miller, Commercial Vehicle Group
Rudy Niswanger, Joe Gear Companies
Sean Ryan, Point Spring Co.
Steffanie Savine, The Marx Group
Jessica Sendelbach, Meritor
Verlin Stapleton, ThyssenKrupp Crankshaft Co.
James Stone Jr., Stone Truck Parts
Stuart Zurcher, Strategic Alliance Group

“Last year’s inaugural Heavy Duty Leadership class was a true success, so it was only natural that we would offer the program again this year,” said University of the Aftermarket Director Brian Cruickshank, MAAP. “The commercial vehicle aftermarket obviously needs this kind of program, as it robustly supported this year’s program with increased enrollment. We look forward to offering Heavy Duty Leadership annually, as well as developing additional programs for the commercial vehicle aftermarket.”

The program opened Sunday night with a keynote presentation from Meritor’s Aftermarket & Trailer Group President Pedro Ferro, who spoke to the class about his view of career management and leadership in the heavy-duty market. The week will include other leadership and industry-focused sessions from faculty from Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School of Management and heavy-duty leaders. Presenters include:

* Dr. Frank Morgan, Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School of Management
* Bill Wade, President, Wade & Partners
* Don Reimondo, president, HDA Truck Pride
* Steve Crowley, president, VIPAR
* Tim Kraus, president, Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association
* Dr. Todd Thomas, Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School of Management
* Dave Caracci, Caracci Aftermarket Strategies
* Tom Marx, president, Marx Advisors
* Rick Guirlinger, Bourke Services LLC
* Dr. John Passante, University of the Aftermarket

Graduates earn 3.5 continuing education units that can be applied toward their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations.

To learn more about Heavy Duty Leadership and other University of the Aftermarket programs, call 1-800-551-2882 or visit www.universityoftheaftermarket.com.