Auto Care Association announces 2018 Impact, Education awards recipients

The Auto Care Association announced the 2018 recipients of its annual Impact Award: Four for the Future, the Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award and the Auto Care Career and Education (ACE) Awards.

Impact Award: Four for the Future

The Impact Award: Four for the Future honors four auto care industry professionals, age 40 or younger, who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership or have made remarkable strides within the auto care industry.

The award was created in 2010 and is administered by the Auto Care Association Marketing and Communications Committee on behalf of the association, with support from the Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG).

The 2018 winners are:

• JR Bishop, marketing director, Federated Auto Parts Dist., Inc., plays a very active role in the auto care industry, serving in several different capacities including chair member, advisor and mentor. As the past chairman of Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG), Bishop led the group’s growth to over 1,500 members since its beginning in 2014, as well as overseeing its most-attended leadership conference for YANG to date. Bishop is also on the Auto Care Association’s board of directors. 
• James O’Dell, marketing manager, Motown Automotive Distributing Co., is making strides in the auto care industry, rising through the ranks of Motown to now being responsible for all of its marketing. O’Dell has completed the Leadership 2.0 program through University of the Aftermarket, and currently serves as vice chair on the Auto Care Association’s Marketing and Communications Committee, which reviews and suggests ways to better market the Auto Care Association and to enhance the communications program for internal and external audiences. O’Dell is also an active member of YANG.
• Nathan H. Shipley, executive director, industry analyst, The NPD Group, Inc., has spent more than a decade in the NPD’s automotive division of market research. In his current role as industry analyst, his in-depth understanding of consumer purchase patterns and trends in the automotive aftermarket has allowed him to work closely with retailers and manufacturers in the industry to help them better understand data and analytics and how to best utilize the information to run their businesses. Shipley has presented at the annual AAPEX trade show and other industry events by offering industry-specific trends and forecasts. Shipley is also a member of the Auto Care Association’s Market Intelligence Committee.
• John C. Washbish, marketing director, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc., has played a very active role in the auto care industry over the years. Washbish contributes to growing the industry by bringing in new people and keeping them engaged by introducing them to the large network available to them through the Auto Care Association. Washbish is currently the chair of the Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG), a community of the Auto Care Association, for networking and professional development opportunities for young professionals in the auto care industry under the age of 40. Washbish serves as an active member of the Auto Care Association’s Education Committee, which works to enhance the business potential and competitive advantage of auto care industry professionals. Washbish is also a passionate supporter of the Auto Care Political Action Committee (ACPAC).

The four winners were formally announced by the Auto Care Association Marketing and Communications Committee during their recent meeting at the Auto Care Association’s Fall Leadership Days in Austin, Texas. The recipients will be recognized during AAPEX 2018 in Las Vegas and will also be featured in AAPEX Express and Auto Care Insider magazine.

For more information about the Impact Award: Four for the Future, please visit autocare.org/impact.

Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award

The Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award is annually given to an individual that demonstrates a passion for advancing the concepts and programs for education and continuing education in the North American auto care industry.

Brent Berman, director of training and consumer experience, Federal-Mogul Motorparts, was selected as this year’s Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award for his stewardship of the Garage Gurus’ innovative technical training program. Berman has been involved in the automotive industry for over 25 years, primarily in the technical field evolving from mechanical to digital.

In his 21 years at Federal-Mogul, Berman has held roles of increasing responsibility in technical training, marketing and now manages the Garage Gurus training group in addition to the catalog and research team, overseeing critical activities from training, tech support, cataloging, e-data and digital media. Berman also oversees the company’s “Tech First” initiative that seeks to simplify and improve the many touch points it has with all levels of customers.

"Early in my career, I was fortunate to be able to take advantage of ACDelco's 'DelcoTech' program in Canada, and since then, understand the positive effect that access to training has on the whole industry," Berman said. "As Federal-Mogul Motorparts is committed to training techs through its Garage Gurus program, I am, along with my colleagues, determined to continue to encourage students to obtain the technical education they need to build successful careers in the automotive repair industry. I am honored to receive this award and thank everyone who made this possible.”  

Auto Care Career and Education (ACE) Awards

The ACE (Auto Care Career and Education) Award annually recognizes industry companies that demonstrate a dedication to investing in the growth of their employees’ knowledge and skills through access to professional development and career opportunities.

The 2018 ACE Award winners are:

Ervine's Auto Repair & Grand Rapids Hybrid is recognized for:

• Education - Opportunities for furthering education is provided to employees through a variety of methods, including on-site classroom, webinars and printed material as well as on-the-job training and mentoring.
• Training - Employees have access to a variety of training opportunities, including Auto Seminars, Napa Auto Care, Auto Value, Parts Plus, Women in Auto Care, ACDC Hybrid and many more.
• Certification - Certification is supported for employees, including ASE and ACDC Hybrid. 

Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. is recognized for:

• Education - Alliance University, its internal Learning Management System, is available to all members of the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper family. Within this training system, the Alliance’s online classes help everyone expand their knowledge on topics such as automotive technology, human resources, safety, sales and more.
• Scholarships - More than $30,000 in scholarship funds are given away every year to Alliance shareholder personnel and staff. Additionally, all staff and their immediate family can apply for the Alliance's scholarship. Scholarships include industry opportunities, such as the Northwood University Leadership 2.0 course.
• Training - The Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year program encourages their top technicians with the Auto Value, Bumper to Bumper and Confidence Plus Certified Service Center network to complete ASE trainings, and participate in live and online channel partner manufacturer trainings.

Customer Service Manager Megan Dineff accepted the ACE award on behalf of Ervine’s Auto Repair & Grand Rapids Hybrid while CEO John R. Washbish accepted the award on behalf of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc.

To apply for an upcoming award, visit autocare.org/awards.