Increasing Legislative Clout the Focus of Leadership 2.0 Presentation

Focusing on the urgent need for industry participants to become involved in the political process, graduates of the 2009-10 University of the Aftermarket Leadership 2.0 program will present the findings of an intensive research project during this Wednesday’s session of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium in Chicago, Ill.

The presentation represents the best of five research projects presented during the spring session of the Leadership 2.0 program.

Members of the team are Bill Johnston of Tenneco, Inc., Tom Myroniak of the Specialty Equipment Market Association, Tom Piper of Automotive Supply Associates, Inc., Ron Rossi of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, and, the lone Canadian of the winning team, Trevor Tennant of Piston Ring Service in Winnipeg, Man.

“The team’s presentation outlines the industry’s current legislative struggles and charts a path through which we can become a far more powerful voice in Congress and at the state level,” said University of the Aftermarket Director Brian Cruickshank, AAP. “All of our Leadership 2.0 research projects were excellent this year, but the in-depth study and creative tactical approaches outlined in this program really stood out.”

The Leadership 2.0 team recommends a nationwide grassroots program to educate industry participants about the importance of becoming involved in the legislative process. Additional program activities would include the development of “tool sets” for use by local and national aftermarket businesses to influence the legislative process.

The team project is the “capstone” of the Leadership 2.0 experience, enabling aftermarket professionals to work alongside customers, suppliers and even competitors in identifying and addressing difficult industry issues. Project and team assignments are established during Session I in September, and team members work closely during the intersession period to finalize their projects.

For additional information regarding the Leadership 2.0 experience and to request a spot in the 2010-11 class, please visit www.universityoftheaftermarket.com or call 1-800-551-2882.