The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) has tapped Paul McCarthy to lead the association, effective July 1.
McCarthy comes up through AASA’s top leadership, where he had served nearly three years as second in command and executive vice president to AASA’s previous president and COO, Bill Long. Long was named president and CEO of AASA’s parent organization, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), in February.
In addition to his previous role at AASA, McCarthy also has served as senior vice president of MEMA, focused primarily on strategy and business planning.
McCarthy takes the helm of AASA at a critical time, as aftermarket suppliers face opportunities and challenges in the wake of rapid technological advances and an uncertain trade environment. AASA’s mission is to advance the aftermarket industry and the business interests of its members and to support a high-growth, profitable, innovative and influential aftermarket supplier industry. Advancing this mission will be McCarthy’s primary focus, AASA noted.
“Data access and consumer freedom of choice in repair and maintenance are, and will continue to be, one of the biggest issues our members will grapple with in coming years,” McCarthy said. “With uncertainty being the new political certainty, aftermarket suppliers need to be nimble and prepared. AASA is well-positioned to help members meet the challenges, capitalize on the opportunities ahead and provide companies with the tools they need to succeed. The entire AASA team is prepared to help our member companies reach and exceed their goals in real and meaningful ways.”
AASA, which represents a $1 trillion global sector of the wider motor-vehicle manufacturing industry, is a division of MEMA, along with its heavy-duty, original-equipment and remanufacturing divisions. The ability to leverage the economic impact and job-creating power of the entire supplier industry in the United States provides AASA members an influential voice in Washington, D.C., and across the country.
“Paul is a recognized and valuable thought leader who has successfully led many of AASA’s landmark studies and research,” said Long. “He brings the right set of experience, skills and strategic thinking necessary to lead AASA during this time of transformation in vehicle technology and significant shifts in the global marketplace.”
Prior to joining AASA/MEMA, McCarthy led the Automotive and Industrial Products Strategy Practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), providing business and strategy services to dozens of automotive suppliers and eight of the top 10 global automakers. His past leadership roles include heading PwC Germany’s Automotive Strategy advisory practice and leading global forecasting and analysis for a prominent vehicle forecast service, Autofacts.
McCarthy has an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
AASA’s board of directors includes leadership and senior executives from major companies in the automotive aftermarket, including ABS Friction, Axalta Coating Systems, Bosch, Continental, Delphi Technologies, East Penn, Energizer Holdings, Gold Eagle, Schaeffler Group, Spectra Premium, Standard Motor Products and Tenneco (DRiV).
