AASA announces selection committee for new award

Chris Gardner, vice president at the AASA, will be part of the selection committee for the Channel Excellence Award.

In an effort to push and recognize collaboration and innovation in the aftermarket, the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association has added a new award to honour the best.

The AASA Channel Excellence Award will be handed out to suppliers and channel partners that work together to drive growth in the industry. Sponsored by Epicor, it will recognize the achievement of both sides in concert to develop new products and new ways of getting the right parts to the right place at the right time.

To ensure a broad perspective, the selection committee will be made up of experts from all major levels of the aftermarket industry, including repair shops, distributors and suppliers. Those on the committee are:

• Rod Bayless, senior director, Industry Data Analytics, Epicor
• Brian Cruickshank, director, University of the Aftermarket – Northwood University
• Chris Gardner, vice president, AASA
• Rick Guirlinger, partner, Schwartz Advisors
• Tony Molla, vice president, Automotive Service Association (ASA)
• Joe Pomaranski, Pomaranski Consulting

“The AASA Channel Excellence Award Presented by Epicor is focused on recognizing industry collaboration and will help prepare our industry to prosper in the new digital world,” said Bill Long, AASA president and chief operating officer. “We’re pleased to have this outstanding group of reviewers representing a wide range of organizations and experiences join with us to advance industry innovation and collaboration.”

Entries are due by Jan. 15 and must detail a collaborative effort between an aftermarket supplier and channel partner – this can include including retailers, e-tailers, distributors, repair facilities and national service chains. The program must be innovative and utilize technology – ranging from data analytics to robotics to artificial intelligence and/or digital business processes.

Finalists will have to submit short videos, which will be used to select the ultimate winner to be announced April 3 at AASA’s Vision Conference.