MIDLAND, Mich. – The industry’s most prestigious leadership development program, Leadership 2.0, began its first week at Northwood University on Sunday, Sept. 9. Former Genuine Parts Co. executive Larry Samuelson served as the opening keynote speaker.
Leadership 2.0 is a two-week, residential education program designed to develop the leadership and business skills of the next generation of visionary aftermarket professionals. Session I, which concluded on Friday, is held at the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies on Northwood University’s Midland, Mich., campus. Session II will take place in April 2013 on Northwood’s campus in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Instructors come from the highest ranks of the aftermarket, blending their industry experience with instruction from Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School of Management faculty. The program includes a blend of industry research and market analysis, discussion and debate of new challenges and competitive strategies, individual skills training in communication, negotiation and conflict management, insight to supply-chain solutions and issues. Participants in this year’s program represent a wide array of aftermarket companies at all levels of the industry.
“Participants represent the entire supply chain, from service dealers to distribution to manufacturing. As a result, everyone’s unique perspective will allow the class to gain deeper insight into the opportunities and challenges that exist in the motor vehicle aftermarket,” said University of the Aftermarket Director Brian Cruickshank.
Members of the 2012-2013 class are:
• Martin Afelbil, AAIA
• Jamie Ardis, AGS Co.
• Todd Bolon, GPI Technologies
• Laurie Bundschu, CARQUEST
• Mike Buzzard, Uni-Select
• Pat Cadam, Pat’s Garage
• John Capela, CARQUEST
• Jerry Carpenter, Liskey’s Auto & Truck Service
• Jerry Crump, Sanel Auto Parts
• Lindsey Ehlert, NGK Spark Plugs
• Tim Folks, GPI Technologies
• Kevin Gall, DeVilbiss Automotive Refinishing
• Dan Gatins, Tenneco Inc.
• Dave Haun, Gates Corporation
• Jean Hernandez, Coyote Auto Repair
• Ben Jorgensen, GPI Technologies
• Eric Lacoste, Federal-Mogul Corp.
• Diane Larson, Larson’s Service Inc.
• Pedro Leyton, Parts Authority Southern
• Tom Litzinger, Motown Automotive Distributors
• Matt Noir, Flynn’s Tire & Auto Service
• Ken Pulaski, Hovis Auto & Truck Supply
• Crystal Simison, Accessories Marketing Inc.
• Daniel Smyth, Smyth Automotive
• John Tully, Norwood Motor Parts Co.
• Rick Urso, Meineke Car Care Center
• Ray Weidmann, Tenneco Inc.
• Mike Westrom, Continental Automotive Systems
• Jessica Wynn, Federal-Mogul Corp.
Many professionals from distribution and automotive service companies are participating in this year’s class thanks to the generosity of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation and the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association.
Participants receive 6.0 credits toward completion of their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations.
For more information or to reserve a spot in the 2013-14 Leadership 2.0 class, visit www.northwood.edu/aftermarket or call (800) 551-2882.
