The Auto Care Association announced the addition of Ted Hughes as its new senior director of community engagement and AWDA executive director.
Hughes will lead the association’s efforts to evolve community engagement among its members while also serving as the liaison between the association and its Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) community.
In his role as senior director of community engagement, Hughes will be a key leader in establishing engagement strategies; communicating membership benefits to existing and prospective members while also strengthening the communities’ membership base; and implementing community practices and policies to provide association members with maximum value.
As executive director of AWDA, Hughes will provide guidance and primary administrative support for all AWDA-related organizational activities, including assistance in the engagement, growth and retention of the 600-plus-member community.
“I am very excited to have Ted on board,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association. “Ted’s experience in the aftermarket as well as his communication and customer relation skills made him a natural fit for this position. Our communities – especially AWDA, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary – are the backbone of the association and we are looking forward to further enhancing our community engagement for the betterment of the industry and the association.”
“As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, it could not be more fitting than to have Ted as our executive director,” said Ryan Samuels, chair of AWDA and vice president at Buy Wise Auto Parts. “Our market and dynamics are changing, and we look forward to the new energy that Ted will bring to AWDA while helping to preserve our legacy.”
Hughes brings more than 20 years of aftermarket experience to the association, with his most recent role being the head of marketing for MAHLE Aftermarket Inc. In his role as head of marketing, Hughes was responsible for promotions, public relations, advertising, motorsports programs and the advancement of all electronic and Web-based activities.
Since 2020, Hughes has served as the vice chair of the Auto Care Association’s Marketing Communications Committee, and since 2020 as the chair of the Marketing Executives Committee for AASA.
Learn more about the Auto Care Association’s member communities, including AWDA, at autocare.org/networking-and-development/communities.
