The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance has added two Northwood University students, Brooke Regalado and Nathan Powers, to its headquarters office in San Antonio, Texas, for a summer internship.
The 10 week internship runs from May 21 to July 27, 2018. Both students will learn the ins-and-outs of an aftermarket program group and will be a part of the daily Alliance marketing operation efforts. Their time spent at the Alliance headquarters this summer will prepare them to be the Northwood University Team Captains at the 2018 Aftermarket Jackpot Convention in Las Vegas during the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) show this fall.
Utilizing their gained experience, the interns will manage and lead a team of more than 15 other Northwood University students as more than 5,000 international attendees arrive onsite at the Mirage Hotel and Casino to register for the event. They also will help the Alliance team on-site with convention activities and support including the infamous march of all convention attendees to the Sands Convention Center for a day at AAPEX.
“We are thrilled to have two phenomenal, eager interns with us this summer,” says JC Washbish, marketing director at the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance. “With their help, I have no doubt our 2018 Aftermarket Jackpot Convention registration, run of show, and visit to APPEX will be a fantastic experience.”
Both students already hit the ground running by assisting with on-site coordination and registration for the Alliance’s 2018 Summer Shareholder Meeting in Phoenix, Ariz., where nearly 500 shareholder members and supplier channel partners were in attendance.
In addition to their work this summer, Powers and Regalado will continue to be a part of Alliance sales and marketing calls, and convention planning meetings this fall.
“This internship has provided a solid foundation of hands-on experiences that I will apply to my future career in the aftermarket,” says Regalado. “I appreciate what I’ve learned from the Alliance team so far, and look forward to applying my new knowledge to take lead at their Convention.”
From Northwood University, both students are pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in Aftermarket Business Management. This fall Powers, from Saline, Mich., will be a sophomore and Regalado from Valparaiso, Ind., will be a senior.
“The opportunity to work for Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper is one of a kind,” says Powers. “I’ve now seen firsthand how a successful program group works in partnership with their members and manufacturers. I absolutely love working with and learning from experienced aftermarket professionals.”
The internship will formally conclude this fall after the completion of their Northwood Team Captain duties at the 2018 Aftermarket Jackpot Convention.
