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Sue Godschalk Receives AWDA Lifetime Achievement Award
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By Counterman
The
link hidden, please login to view, a 501c3 supporting people in the automotive aftermarket industry and their families during the hardest moments of their lives, announced that nominations for the first-ever AACF Humanitarian Award, generously sponsored by link hidden, please login to view is fast approaching. The deadline to submit
link hidden, please login to view is January 31, 2025.
link hidden, please login to view for this award should exemplify compassion, selflessness and a strong sense of social responsibility. Their actions should have made a significant and positive impact on communities locally, nationally, or globally, according to the AACF. Nominations will be reviewed by a committee consisting of AACF Board and Executive Committee Members as well as a NEXUS executive. “This prestigious award aims to recognize and honor outstanding individuals, companies, associations or groups within the automotive aftermarket industry who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to improving the lives of others through humanitarian efforts,” the AACF said.
“Since first introducing the AACF Humanitarian Award in partnership with NEXUS North America in May earlier this year our team has been purposefully planning,” said John Kairys, executive director of AACF. “We’re excited to officially open the nomination process to provide an opportunity for individuals and companies who give back with grace and intention to be recognized for their efforts in the community.”
The selection process for the AACF Humanitarian Award will be rigorous, with nominees evaluated based on their demonstrated impact and commitment to humanitarian causes. The award recipient will be announced at a special ceremony during Auto Care Association Connect 2025, bringing well-deserved recognition to their exceptional contributions, the AACF said.
“On behalf of NEXUS North America and NEXUS Automotive International, I want to share our excitement to have this opportunity to support the AACF organization for this new, outstanding Humanitarian Award. We are honored to play a role in this initiative,” said Robert Roos, president Pronto Network & NEXUS North America.
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By Counterman
Paul Agather, president and CEO of
link hidden, please login to view member Automotive Jobbers Supply, was honored with the Art Fisher Memorial Award, Federated’s most esteemed recognition. He received this award earlier this month during the Automotive Parts Services Group membership conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. “The Art Fisher Memorial Award is the highest honor we bestow upon our members, and this year it goes to Paul Agather, a member who has shown exceptional commitment to the initiatives and objectives of the Federated group,” said Bo Fisher, chairman of Federated Auto Parts. “Although the award is given each year, it signifies enduring commitment, support, engagement and loyalty to the Federated community. My father would have taken great pride in presenting Paul with this award and recognizing his ongoing dedication to the success of Federated, his fellow members and the aftermarket industry.”
Agather began his career at Automotive Jobbers Supply in 1988 before leaving to finish college in 1990. He returned to the company in 1993 and held a variety of positions including director, treasurer, CFO and CIO, before assuming his current role as president and CEO. Active in the industry, Agather has served as a committee member of the Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) logistics and technology committee and has been a presenter at several AWDA industry events, encouraging and promoting the use of technology in the aftermarket, according to a news release announcing his recognition. He is a member of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) leadership council for the state of Washington and serves as vice chair of the NFIB Washington state political action committee.
Named after
link hidden, please login to view founder Art Fisher, the Art Fisher Memorial Award is presented annually to a member of the Federated group who has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the success of Federated Auto Parts, its members and initiatives. Award recipients also have a history of sharing their time and expertise for the benefit of all members and have served in industry roles, representing the interests of the Federated membership. The post
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By Counterman
The Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), a community of the Auto Care Association, presented the 2024 Art Fisher Award for Excellence in Education, to Larry Pavey, CEO of the Automotive Products Services Group. The award was presented on Nov. 3 by AWDA Vice-Chair Fletcher Lord III at AWDA’s 2024 Annual Conference in Las Vegas.
AWDA’s Art Fisher Award for Excellence in Education is presented annually to an aftermarket company or individual that demonstrates outstanding commitment to education and training, either within their organization or throughout the industry. Given in memory of former AWDA Chairman Art Fisher, the award grants scholarships in the name of the award winner to two students enrolled in the automotive aftermarket management program at Northwood University.
Larry Pavey, CEO of the Automotive Parts Services Group, has spent his entire career in the automotive aftermarket, starting in sales at Walker Manufacturing, then on to the BWD division of Echlin. He served as vice president of marketing for the Borg Warner, Niehoff and Whitaker brands.
With Pavey at the helm, Echlin’s brake business made more than 20 acquisitions, becoming the largest brake supplier in the aftermarket industry. He served as president of Echlin’s North American Operations and later president of Dana’s Under Vehicle Group.
Today Pavey serves as CEO of the Automotive Parts Service Group, a joint venture between the National Pronto Association and the Federated Alliance. He has been active in many industry associations, serving on the boards of ASE, AAPA, MEMA, the Auto Care Association and the AWDA Board of Governors.
In 2016 Pavey was presented with the Martin Fromm AWDA Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2018 he was presented with the Jack Creamer Leader of the Year Award.
His commitment to the automotive aftermarket is long and varied. He has worked on both sides of the supply chain. He is a quiet but effective leader and teacher who has had a major impact on the industry.
Pavey has the ability to look at the industry as a whole and strive to do what is best for everyone to help them succeed.
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By Counterman
The Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), a community of the Auto Care Association, presented its 2024 Pursuit of Excellence Award to Larry Pacey, president and CEO of NPW Companies. The award was presented by AWDA Secretary Cliff Hovis at the association’s 2024 Annual Conference on Nov. 3 in Las Vegas.
Established in 1983, the Pursuit of Excellence Award is presented exclusively to an AWDA member for special achievement and for the setting of high standards as an example for others to follow, in business and in volunteer or advocacy efforts.
More than 55 years ago, Larry Pacey founded NPW Companies, then known as National Carburetor Exchange, out of a 600-square-foot building. Pacey did everything from sales and collections to rebuilding carburetors entirely on his own. Five decades later, the company — still led by Pacey but now staffed by an effective team — boasts 30 locations across the United States and Canada, including more than 100 corporate and independently owned jobbers, and services nearly 200 Auto Value, Bumper to Bumper and Confidence Plus Certified Service Centers. With Pacey at the helm, NPW is one of the most expansive and fastest-growing warehouse distributor powerhouses in the nation.
Pacey had a big vision for NPW Companies from the start. Within five years of founding, he evolved the business to include a retail parts store handling many performance lines. In 1974, the business became a warehouse distributor carrying all performance lines. Throughout the 1980s, Pacey grew the business through expansion into traditional parts and opened additional warehouses in Orlando and West Palm Beach, Florida. He added truck accessories to the company’s product offerings in 1998.
In 2008, Pacey’s team acquired Southern Performance Warehouse, marking the beginning of the company’s quest to significantly expand their footprint. Over the next 10 years, the company completed more than 20 acquisitions in many different regions. Through the strategic acquisition, organic sales growth and strong leadership, the company became dominant in the aftermarket and continues to grow quickly, even amid the uncertainty of the pandemic.
NPW Companies is known for its major industry-wide events, hosted by Pacey. At the company’s annual golf tournament, Pacey takes on all players on the “Beat the Boss” hole to ensure he gets to interact and play with every guest at the event. The company’s annual FAST Florida Automotive, Speed & Truck Expo brings in thousands of attendees. And the nearly 10-year-old Million Dollar Dinner, exclusive to vendor partners who do more than $1 million of business with NPW Companies, is a black-tie affair beloved by invitees. The company has also expanded its trade show presence to Canada.
Pacey and his team are actively involved within the industry as he formerly served on the boards of the AWDA Board of Governors.
Today, NPW operates in over 1,500,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space with 23 distribution centers, Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Canada. NPW services over 30,000 accounts in North America and several international markets. A team that size with that massive of a footprint needs a foundation to succeed and that begins with education and industry training.
NPW, as a member of the Alliance and under Pacey’s leadership, has both orchestrated and attended three successful Alliance Aftermarket Jackpot Conventions in Las Vegas, bringing more than 6,000 technicians and shop owners to AAPEX over the years. As a member of the Alliance Board of Directors, Pacey’s leadership and belief in education was a driving force in bringing large contingents of shop, service and repair professionals to AAPEX and connecting them with their distributor partners and the manufacturers who operate in the aftermarket channel.
Pacey and his team are Auto Care Political Action Committee (ACPAC) supporters, and are always seen on the hill as political advocates, actively engaging with both local and national lawmakers; advocating for H.R. 906 The REPAIR Act and the Technicians’ Right to Repair.
NPW’s team under Pacey’s leadership and guidance are active supporters of The University of the Aftermarket and the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, including the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper scholarship program, which in total has provided nearly $600,000 to students pursuing industry and secondary education.
Pacey continues to sponsor Young Auto Care Networking Group (YANG) as well as Women in Auto Care (WiAC).
Outside of the industry, Pacey supports the First Tee program in Miami, Florida, which is a youth development organization that enables kids to build strength of character by integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum. His industry involvement is expansive and impressive company footprint are tributes to his success as a backbone and leader of the aftermarket.
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By Counterman
The Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), a community of the Auto Care Association, presented its 2024 Outstanding Leadership Award to Cliff Hovis, president of Hovis Auto & Truck Supply in Mercer, Pennsylvania. The award was presented on Nov. 3 at AWDA’s 2024 Annual Conference in Las Vegas.
Each year, AWDA bestows this prestigious award, formerly known as the “Leader of the Year,” on an aftermarket professional who has contributed to the industry in a unique and significant way. The award is named in honor of former AWDA President Jack Creamer.
Presenting the award this year was 2023 recipient Mauro Cifelli, president of Vast-Auto in Quebec.
The business was started in 1952 and has served Northwestern Pennsylvania ever since with 17 locations that focus on customer service, quality parts and experienced personnel. Hovis Auto and Truck Supply consistently provide training seminars in their dedicated facility that was opened in 2012 featuring the latest technology in both automotive and heavy duty. This creates an indelible bond with their customers and serves the industry by ensuring technicians can meet the demands of the latest technology.
Hovis has been a tremendous advocate for Right to Repair by engaging his customers through in-person events, in fact his customer base generated over 1,000 letters to congress alone, adding in the social media side, and they have proven to be among the leaders in this effort. He has participated in both national and local advocacy efforts on this issue and is a tremendous spokesperson for the industry.
Hovis has also been a loyal supporter of YANG, and his daughter Grace is showing her strength in industry service by recently completing her term as YANG chairperson. Hovis has also been an active member of the Auto Care board of directors, voicing his support of the AWDA community and association initiatives. His expansion into the HD and PBE markets has given the association a unique perspective to meet the needs of these critical segments of the industry.
Hovis and his entire family operate their business with a foundation of integrity, which has allowed them to gain the trust of their customers, suppliers and the industry as a whole.
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