Leadership 2.0, now in its 27th year, began at Northwood University on Aug 22 with a reception and dinner at the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies. The opening speaker was NGK Spark Plugs USA CEO Michael Schwab. 

Leadership 2.0 is a leadership development program for professionals working in the light vehicle aftermarket. It seeks to expand the business, management and leadership skills of the industry’s future leaders. Instructors blend decades of senior aftermarket experience with MBA-level instruction from Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School of Management faculty. They guide the class in discussion and debate on critical issues that impact the industry today and in the future. 

Participants represent all levels of the aftermarket, creating a dynamic in-class experience – one that is truly unique in the industry. The University of the Aftermarket Foundation provides significant financial support through the granting of scholarships to the program. 

Participants in this year’s Leadership 2.0 class represented a wide range of light vehicle aftermarket job functions, geographies and experiences. This year’s class included: 

Javier Alcantar                        Frontera Radiator

Jake Aschendorf                     Epicor

Josh Bisanz                            Auto Wares Group

Chad Brown                            Borg Warner

Daniel Burns                           Parts Authority

Mike Burchi                             NGK Spark Plugs

Chris Caputo                           Continental Automotive

Michael Davidson                   Advance Auto Parts

Alex DeYoung                         RepWorks

Susan Dickson                        Closs Tire & Auto

Shao Dyi                                 Parts Warehouse Dist.

Mac Eash                                Schaeffler

Jeremy Fisher                         XL Parts

Colin Foster                            Gates

Megan Gardner                       Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association JacquieHower                        Zimmerman’s Auto

Andy Jados                             Motorad

Lauren Lambrix                       Gates

Brittani McClain                       Auto Wares Group

Francisco Moreno                   ZF

Katie Neegaard                       Pronto Network

Maria Nunez                           Pro Stock Auto Parts

David Ray                               O’Reilly Auto Parts

Channing Reames                   Genuine Parts Co.       

Jacqueline Rodriguez              Parts Authority

Dave Sorrentino                      Eastern Warehouse Dist.

Logan Smyth                           Smyth Automotive

Kent Talley                              AIT Trakmotive

Kenzie Taylor                          Tri-States Enterprises

Jacob Tucker                          Gates

Joe Thomas                            Sensata

Julie Schilling                          Schaeffler

Patrick Shaughnessy              Motorad

Zach Swearingen                    Fisher Auto Parts

Arnoldo Ventura                      Frontera Radiator

Patrick Verriet                         Mann & Hummel

Kristen Whitsett                       Motorad

Pepper Wilson                        The Parts House

Aaron Wisniewski                   Auto Wares Group

Jeremy Van Voorst                 The Merrill Co.

Session I was held at Northwood University, while the second session will be held in Raleigh, North Carolina, in March, 2022. Program participants work on team projects between sessions one and two. Participants receive 7.0 credits toward completion of their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations.