AASA’s Gardner gets promotion

Chris Gardner speaks at the AASA Technology Conference in Clearwater Florida in October 2018.

Long-time aftermarket veteran Chris Gardner has a new position with the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association.

The group announced that it has promoted Gardner to be its senior vice president of operations. He was previously the association’s vice president.

Gardner, who has been with the MEMA/AASA organization since 1998, is a part of the AASA Technology Council and responsible for the group’s annual Technology Conference. He represents AASA supplier members on the Aftermarket Telematics Task Force, AASA Telematics Working Group, NASTF’s Equipment & Tool Committee and the AASA Vehicle Data Work Group. He also manages the association’s new mobility technology initiatives and oversees AASA’s newest forum, the Mobility Technology Council.

“Chris is an outstanding member of the AASA team, bringing his experience and dedication to our mission of advancing the business interests of the automotive aftermarket industry and our valued supplier members,” said Bill Long, AASA president and chief operating officer. “Chris has established himself as a valuable member-resource in the area of advanced aftermarket technologies, providing leadership in growing AASA’s highly rated Aftermarket Technology Conference, and raising awareness of technology-driven opportunities throughout the aftermarket industry.”

“This promotion recognizes Chris’s contribution to our members and our association through his pursuit to learning, continuous improvement and personal drive to ‘take to another level’ the value we bring our members,” said Paul McCarthy, AASA executive vice president. “Chris serves as a role model for the team and has earned the respect of aftermarket industry executives.”