Leadership 2.0, the University of the Aftermarket’s light vehicle Leadership Development Program, concluded at Northwood University Florida on March 13 with a graduation ceremony for its 36 participants. The program’s second session began the previous Sunday with an opening presentation from former BWP President Neil Stockel.
Leadership 2.0 is a two-week educational program focused on the development of the next generation of auto care industry leaders. Like previous Leadership 2.0 classes, this year’s program represented a wide array of aftermarket companies at all levels of the industry. The class included participants who represented manufacturing, traditional distribution, retail distribution, auto parts stores, service and repair, marketing and industry associations.
Participants began the program with Session I in August 2014. Between Sessions I and II, participants worked on team projects that addressed a wide variety of industry challenges.
This year’s graduating class of Leadership 2.0 participants includes:
Kelly Anderson A-Plus Automotive Inc
Sue Bonino Permatex Inc
Brian Bowersock West Automotive Group
Jerry Creamer Midas Auto Service & Tires
Rick Denton Orleans Auto Supply Inc
Mike DiGregorio Dorman Products
Andrea Divis Advance Auto Parts
Mike Englert Uni-Select USA
Dave Erb Dave's Ultimate Automotive
Elizabeth Estes Parts Warehouse Inc
Brent Fletcher Federal-Mogul Motorparts
Kelly Garrison Auto Wares
Dawn Gonzalez Trico Products Corp
Victor Gonzalez Uni-Select USA
Chuck Hartogh C&M Auto Service Inc
Carri Irby Tenneco Inc
Melissa Jablonski Delphi Product & Service Solutions
Eric Johnson The Merrill Company
Ryan Kooiman Standard Motor Products
Scott Kraus O'Reilly Auto Parts
Emily Lawler Standard Motor Products
Mike Mohler Automotive Parts Services Group
David Moilanen Continental Corporation
Eric Muir Brighton Auto Repair
Geoff Nesburg Service Auto Parts/NAPA
Shane Norman Eastern Warehouse Distributors
Dave Pinkham Auto Care Association
Ashley Portal Standard Motor Products
Aaron Rycroft Tenneco Inc
Steffanie Savine The Marx Group
Jon Sechrist Motown Auto Distributing Inc
Tim Tallent NGK Spark Plugs (USA)
Tom Trojan Gates Corporation
Rich Violette Standard Motor Products
Dan Winslade Eastern Warehouse Distributors
Jerry Zielinski Motown Auto Distributing Inc
Many of the attendees participated in Leadership 2.0 through the generous support of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. The Foundation provides funding for aftermarket educational programs and research. Through its grant program, the Foundation and its donors ensure that education has a positive, stabilizing influence on the future of the auto care industry.
“Each year I look forward to meeting and working with the Leadership 2.0 class,” said University of the Aftermarket Director Brian Cruickshank, who leads the program. “I have been able to forge relationships with the next generation of auto care industry leaders and based on that, I am confident that the industry’s future is very bright.”
Session I of the next Leadership 2.0 program will be held August 23-28, with the second session scheduled to take place April 24-29, 2016. Interested aftermarket professionals should visit www.universityoftheaftermarket.com and click “Course Calendar” to sign up for the next Leadership 2.0 class. The program is open to any auto care industry professional in any industry segment.
Participants received 7.0 credits toward completion of their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations.
