Northwood University is pleased to announce the 2024 Class of Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award recipients.
“As America’s leading institution in automotive education, Northwood University is proud to host the Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Awards, and to honor industry leaders throughout the country who have made noteworthy contributions to education, inside and outside the industry,” stated Northwood President Kent MacDonald.
“The aftermarket has been resilient during recent years of inflation, and experts predict sales will increase not only in 2024 but through at least 2027, at which time it’s estimated the aftermarket will have grown to $472 billion,” explained Dr. Thomas Litzinger, Executive Director of the University of the Aftermarket and Aftermarket Education Industry Chair for Northwood University. “Industries achieve consecutive growth like this because of dynamic and generous leaders who invest in their businesses and in their employees, who are and the industry’s future leaders — several of whom are currently students at Northwood University.”
The Northwood University Aftermarket Management Education Awards recipients are nominated by their peers within the auto care industry. This year’s honorees include:
- Philip Atkins, Director, Strategic Research & Planning, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers
- Eric M. Johnson, President and Managing Partner, Arnold Motor Supply
- Tammy Tecklenburg, Founder & CEO, dott
- John C. Washbish, President, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc.
About Philip Atkins, Director, Strategic Research & Planning, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers
Atkins has a history of analyzing research data, identifying trends, and making recommendations to companies in the automotive industry, high-tech, and consumer package goods. He had the good fortune of helping to introduce cookies and crackers for Nabisco and providing new product research for an over-the-counter drug company. In his current role with MEMA, Atkins is charged with providing insights about the aftermarket’s past, present, and future.
Before joining MEMA, Atkins was at FGI Research, where he annually developed and managed the most profitable accounts, including Advance Auto Parts, Kroger, Blue Cross Blue Shield-North Carolina, and other well-known, high-profile consumer brands. Before that, Atkins was at The Hatteras Group, where he landed the IBM account and provided consulting services for BB&T Bank, Milliken, and other Fortune 500 companies.
After graduating from the University of North Carolina, Atkins worked in advertising in New York City for Nabisco, Campbell Soup Company, and Dorsey Pharmaceuticals.
Atkins says he has a great affinity for students from Northwood University, many of whom have completed internships with MEMA.
About Eric M. Johnson, President and Managing Partner, Arnold Motor Supply
Johnson grew up on a farm in Iowa, where the values of hard work and perseverance were instilled early on. Today, he is the President and managing partner of Arnold Motor Supply and The Merrill Co., a large automotive distribution company with nearly 80 locations across the upper Midwest.
Johnson, the author of “You Build a Business with People,” has built a successful career by valuing others and embracing the motto, “There has to be a better way.” His book tells the story of E.P. Arnold, an Iowa entrepreneur who built his business, Arnold Motor Supply, through the roaring twenties, the Great Depression, World War II, and the post-war boom. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a history enthusiast, readers will find this tale inspiring, as it highlights timeless traits of perseverance, vision, and doing things the right way, which are just as relevant today as they were nearly 100 years ago when Arnold started his business with $500 and a dream.
Jonson says The Northwood Idea — Northwood University’s guiding philosophy — resonates with his value system because he believes freedom and personal responsibility, and the importance of moral law, earned success, and free enterprise make people better off.
About John C. Washbish, President, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc.
Washbish joined the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance in 2016 as Sales, Marketing and Brand Manager. Previously, he was an account executive with Niterra North America, Inc. (formerly known as NGK Spark Plugs U.S.A., Inc.), covering specific North American national retailers, Farm and Fleet retailers, and all traditional distribution throughout the Caribbean.
Washbish values education. He graduated from the University of the Aftermarket Foundation’s Aftermarket 101 and Leadership 2.0 programs and earned his Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) designation last fall.
Among his many current roles within the industry, Washbish chairs the Auto Care Association’s Education Committee and is a member of the Auto Care Association’s ACPAC Committee. He also reviews the University of Aftermarket Scholarship program and is a founding member of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation Coffee Club. He is a former member of the Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG).
About Tammy Tecklenburg, Founder & CEO, dott
A visionary leader in the automotive aftermarket for nearly 30 years, Tecklenburg’s influence spans Fortune 500 boardrooms to grassroots initiatives.
In 2015, she launched the industry’s first formal mentor program, setting a new standard for fostering growth. She was instrumental in building the Auto Care Association’s Women in Auto Care Community, creating a space where women connect, elevate, and redefine their contributions in a traditionally male-dominated field. A strong advocate for lifelong learning, Tecklenburg regularly presents at University of the Aftermarket programs, advancing industry knowledge and professional development.
Leveraging the intersection of her extensive corporate experience and passion for giving back, Tecklenburg transitioned to entrepreneurship by founding dott. (diversity of thought), a consulting firm that provides leaders with the tools and strategies needed to foster inclusive cultures and drive sustainable, top-down change. Her latest impact can be seen through dott.’s aftermarketALLY campaign, an educational series that raises awareness and fosters allyship, driving cultural change from within.
Tecklenburg’s commitment to mentoring, education, and community-building has shaped countless careers, fostered collaboration, and driven meaningful industry progress. Looking ahead, her mission is to help shape the aftermarket into an inclusive career destination where everyone thrives, finding immense satisfaction in contributing to this multi-generational transformation.
The 2024 Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Awards will be presented during a luncheon at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. Northwood students enrolled in the Automotive Aftermarket Management program will present the awards to the honorees. To order tickets, visit https://forms.northwood.edu/aamea-registration/
