AASA Technology Council honors Ray Nicholas of SMP with leadership award

Ray Nicholas, vice president of information technology and CIO of Standard Motor Products, was awarded the Lifetime Technology Leadership award during the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Technology Conference, held Sept. 20-22 in Clearwater Beach, Fla.

The award, presented by the AASA Technology Council (ATC), periodically recognizes individuals who have provided strong leadership in the area of technology, supported ATC events, and encouraged peers to engage with industry and ATC technology initiatives.

“From its inception, the ATC Technology Leadership Award was not intended as an annual award. It is only presented to candidates whose contributions have significantly advanced technology in the aftermarket industry,” noted Chris Gardner, AASA vice president and executive director of the ATC. “The ATC board was unanimous in approving Ray for the Council’s most prestigious recognition. He is an excellent leader, a strong advocate of industry technology efforts and a tireless supporter of the ATC. Ray has gone to great lengths to ensure that new technology directives would be usable by and valuable to suppliers and to the industry’s channel partners.”

A long-time member of the ATC, Nicholas is a past chairman of the Council and served as a board member for nine years. He led the ATC to expand its areas of focus to more than EDI, bar coding and data standards to address cybersecurity, network, business continuity and other critical technology areas. During his years of service, the Council increased in member relevance, industry stature and in overall membership numbers. Nicholas also is involved in other aftermarket association technology efforts, serving on the Auto Care Association’s Technology & Standards Committee for several years.

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