N.A. Williams Co., in conjunction with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, has established the Neal L. Williams Memorial Fund to honor its former chairman who passed away one year ago at the age of 78. Donations made in Williams’ memory will be used to help educate the next generation of auto care industry professionals.
“It is hard to believe a year has passed since we lost our esteemed leader, Neal Williams,” said Roger McCollum, AAP, president and CEO of N.A. Williams. “Our company is proud to establish this memorial fund to honor Neal and his many contributions to the aftermarket. While we lost a great mentor and friend, Neal’s dedication to our industry will live on.”
Neal L. Williams joined N.A. Williams Co. in 1959, the firm founded by his father in 1934, after attending the University of Georgia and serving in the United States Army. During a long, successful career that spanned more than 50 years, he led the company to become one of the top manufacturers’ representative firms in North America. Widely respected for his integrity, fairness and achievement, Williams was a renowned figure in the automotive aftermarket. He was presented with the Martin Fromm Lifetime Achievement award in 2009 and the Northwood University Outstanding Business Leader award in 2012. Active in both industry and civic causes, Williams served on the board of governors and manufacturers’ council of AWDA.
“Neal was not only an industry leader, but a true gentleman who dedicated his distinguished career to our industry,” said Tim Lee, MAAP, chairman of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation board of trustees. “We know how much he meant to his colleagues and commend N.A. Williams for their incredible generosity in establishing this memorial fund. It is a great testament to Neal’s legacy.”
With this donation to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, N.A. Williams Co. will become a lifetime trustee of the foundation.
To make a donation in memory of Neal L. Williams, send a check, made payable to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation/Neal L. Williams Memorial, 7101 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1300, Bethesda, MD 20814. For more information, contact Barbara Cunningham at 816-584-0511 or [email protected].
