LA JOLLA, Calif. — Schwartz Advisors, an M&A advisory and growth planning firm, today announced the expansion of its organization, bringing a new level of M&A service to middle market auto aftermarket companies and investors.
The company’s new structure is built around nine managing partners and partners, bringing a wealth of experience in the auto aftermarket and heavy-duty transportation industries, as well as M&A transactions, the company says. The SA team includes:
Mort Schwartz – Founding Partner – An unquestioned leader in the automotive aftermarket, Mort led aftermarket companies including Strauss Discount Auto and Import Parts of America. He is past chairman of APAA, AWDA and CAWA and founder of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium.
Richard Schwartz – Managing Partner – Before co-founding SA, Rick was Chief Operating Officer for IDEA Health & Fitness, Inc., and held senior management positions at Nestlé USA and Macy’s. He is a director of the Auto Care Association.
Pete Kornafel – Managing Partner –Pete was Vice Chairman of CARQUEST Corporation and a director of General Parts International, Inc., after more than 25 years as owner of CARQUEST member Hatch Grinding.
Curtis Draper – Managing Partner – With experience in the aerospace and industrial sectors, Curtis has been in the aftermarket for more than a dozen years, most recently as VP of AASA. Prior to that, he was VP of Sales and Marketing at UCI International, then VP of Strategic Marketing at UCI-FRAM Group.
Derek Kaufman – Managing Partner – Derek is a 35-year auto industry executive, holding key positions in the Penske Corporation organization, including Diesel Technology Company and Hino Trucks USA. He was also VP Marketing and Product Planning for Freightliner Trucks.
Keith Zar — Managing Partner – Keith has been doing M&A transactions for more than 25 years, in private legal practice, as general counsel of two public companies in the high-tech electronics sector and in the aftermarket. For the last 10 years, he was VP and General Counsel of UCI International and then UCI-FRAM Group.
Malcolm Davidow – Partner – Former VP, Digital Operations at Pep Boys, President eAuto.com, Director, Automotive at amazon.com.
Rick Guirlinger – Partner – Former Controller, Treasurer, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer with Parts Warehouse Company, and with General Parts International, Inc.
Steve Ganster – Partner – Managing Director of Technomic Asia, based in Shanghai, Author of “The China Ready Company”
“The new SA now brings a unique perspective to M&A and growth planning,” said Rick Schwartz, CEO. “Our team combines experience as business owners and operators along with transactional experience of buying, selling and investing in businesses. We know how value is generated and can support our clients with expertise and industry connections built through years of work in the aftermarket.”
