BETHESDA, Md. (Sept. 24, 2015) — The Auto Care Association (ACA) has announced the winners of the Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award and Impact Awards for 2015.
Susan Kalish, senior director of education for the ACA, won the Mort Schwartz Award for her leadership in several critically important ACA task forces. In particular, the association said, Ms. Kalish won the award for:
• Developing education sessions at the Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo (AAPEX) designed to enhance the business potential and competitive advantage of auto care companies and professionals;
• Developing the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) education conference in collaboration with HDAW leaders;
• Introducing the ACA's “Head of the Class” program, honoring companies that invest significantly in employee education and training; and
• Guiding the creation of the ACA's careers website and other baseline resources and tools.
Ms. Kalish received her award Sept. 10 at the ACA's Fall Leadership Days in Austin, Texas.
The four winners of the Impact Award were selected during the Fall Leadership Days by the ACA Marketing and Communications Committee. The ACA said the awards honor auto aftermarket industry professionals aged 40 or younger who have made “remarkable contributions” to the industry.
The 2015 Impact Award winners are:
• Ted Hughes, MAHLE Aftermarket;
• Alena Van Cleave, A&J Automotive Warehouse;
• Justin Hebert, Aftermarket Parts Alliance; and
• Ron Aparicio, Mevotech.
The winners will be recognized Nov. 2 in Las Vegas, during the annual Recognition Luncheon of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA).