2003 – Bethesda, Maryland
Kathleen Schmatz is Executive Vice President of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). In January 2004 she will set an historic precedent as she becomes the first female president of the organization, and the first woman to lead a major aftermarket industry national association. Ms. Schmatz is nationally recognized as an advocate for the automotive aftermarket industry. She is a sought after speaker and presenter, as well. Her current position with AAIA was newly created in January of 2002. Previously she had served the association as chair of the Marketing Communications Committee. Ms. Schmatz came to AAIA after 30 years with Babcox, a leader in aftermarket communication services. Her responsibilities there, as vice president and group publisher, included sales, marketing, strategic planning, market research and the oversight of five monthly aftermarket trade magazines, a quarterly custom publication and the web site aftermarketnews.com. In 2001 she was named the Auto International Association “Person of the Year,” and received the Car Care Council’s Vision Award. Twice nominated for the Young Executive of the Year award, Schmatz received the 1998 Distinguished Sales and Marketing Award from the American Marketing Association and was the 1991 Woman of the Year-Initiative Award recipient of the Women’s History Project. Kathleen received her master’s in mass media communications from the University of Akron and her bachelor’s in English from Kent State University. She has been a leader and promoter of women in her industry and has served with distinction on Northwood University’s automotive aftermarket curriculum advisory committee.
