2020 Honoree

Sue Godschalk, named president of Federated Auto Parts earlier this year, was one of the first few employees hired at one of the industry’s most well-known auto parts retailers.

Godschalk began her career in the aftermarket in a summer position as an office clerk for Coiner Auto Parts (now Fisher Auto Parts). She stayed with the business, over the years learning the ins and outs of warehousing. She then moved to a jobber store that had both a machine shop and a glass installation shop and became store manager.

“In January 1985, Art Fisher founded Federated Auto Parts Distributors and in August 1985, Art offered me a position at Federated. At the time, the group had 15 members that were located primarily on the East Coast. I became one of three employees that first year,” Godschalk recalls. “To be a part of the humble beginnings and to see Federated grow to become the dynamic program distribution group it is today has definitely been the ongoing highlight of my career.

“If you are willing to learn every part of the business, from the bottom to the top, you will always be able to understand the importance of each aspect,” she says. “If you work hard and are dedicated, you will find that a career in our industry can be very rewarding.”