The Auto Care Association celebrated industry leaders during its recent Fall Leadership Days and Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C. Awards presented included the 2023 Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award, the Auto Care Education (ACE) Award, and the Impact: Four Under Forty Award.
2023 Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award
This award annually celebrates an individual’s commitment to advancing education within the North American auto care sector.
Winner: Fred Bunting, Chairman, Auto-Wares Group of Companies
Fred, a third-generation auto enthusiast, began his career at 14 in the family automotive business. In 1976, he founded Auto-Wares Group of Companies. Today, the company serves over 500 auto parts stores and 36,000 wholesale businesses. Bunting’s dedication to training is evident, having facilitated training for 70,000 technicians over the years. He’s garnered numerous awards, with his most recent being Northwood University’s “Outstanding Business Leader” in 2023.
2023 Auto Care Education (ACE) Award Winners
Recognizing companies committed to industry education, the ACE Award winners are:
Small Company: dott. – A platform promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the automotive industry.
Mid-size Company: ABC Auto Parts – With a focus on continuous learning, they offer extensive training resources through their ABC U platform.
Large Company: Auto-Wares Group of Companies – Their commitment to education is evident through their numerous training initiatives, including the annual Tech Expo.
2023 Impact Award Winners
Honoring emerging leaders under 40 in the auto care sector, the recipients are:
Joseph DeLorme, Dorman Products, Inc. – As the director of product management, Joseph is passionate about product development and advocates for Right to Repair legislation.
Chelsea Scally, S&P Global – A dedicated automotive professional, Chelsea has been instrumental in connecting and mentoring newcomers to the industry.
Shawn Senior, Eastern Warehouse Distributors – From a stock associate in 2010 to president in 2021, Shawn’s trajectory showcases his multifaceted skills within the company.
Cindy Talamantes, Global Parts Distributors – Having started in public relations, Cindy now uses her creative skills to enhance sales, training, and customer support at GPD.
For the latest news and information on the global automotive aftermarket industry, visit https://aftermarketintel.com. Do you have news? Contact Aftermarket Intel Editor Mark Phillips at mark@lpnewmedia.com. He’s on LinkedIn here.
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