The 2013 Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award was presented to Cliff and Curt Hovis, Hovis Auto and Truck Supply, May 21 at the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) in Chicago.
The Hovis brothers were recognized for supporting the aftermarket by constructing a 10,000 foot state-of-the-art training facility, the Hovis Technical Training Center in Grove City, Pa., to respond to the need for vehicle service and repair technicians, machinists and paint and body specialists. The center offers an education curriculum that brings together the industry’s best trainers in the automotive, heavy duty and paint and body industries to teach the latest technology, techniques and applications in their specific field. The center, which features a multi-media classroom and staged reception/waiting area, has taught more than 1,702 technicians since opening in 2011.
The Mort Schwartz Award is given annually to the person, company or educational institution that best advances the concepts and programs for education or continuing education in the North American automotive aftermarket. It is administered by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) Education Committee, and was created to reward innovation of new aftermarket education programs, advancement of existing programs and/or superlative effort to further promote the educational programs or education fund raising efforts established by its namesake.
Past award recipients include the following:
- Brian Cruickshank, University of the Aftermarket
- Fred Bunting, Auto-Wares Inc.
- Chuck Udell, Essential Action Design Group
- Jim John, Northwood University
- Steve Hoellein, Felt Auto Parts Co.
- Pete Kornafel, CARQUEST
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