Northwood University recently honored the marketing director for Standard Motor Products and six other prominent supporters of learning within the automotive aftermarket industry during its annual Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Awards luncheon in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Aaron M. Shaffer, director of marketing services, Standard Motor Products, Long Island City, New York, is a Northwood alumnus. He came to Standard Motor Products following a successful sales career with KYB.
At Standard Motor Products, Shaffer’s responsibilities include creating marketing and sales support materials for the company’s vehicle control brands as well as overseeing all public relations and advertising activities. Shaffer also has worked to create more awareness of the company’s latest training initiative, the SMP Power Hour.
Passionate about the industry, Shaffer is a former member of the Auto Care Association’s Government Affairs Committee. He is currently involved with the “Check the Part” campaign, which helps educate Counter people on how to identify fraudulent warranties, and is the chairman of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association’s Aftermarket Marketing Executives Council.
For his dedication to the aftermarket industry, Northwood University was pleased to name Shaffer among this year’s class of Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award honorees.
“We appreciate our university’s special relationship with the aftermarket industry,” said President Kent MacDonald during the luncheon. “The future is bright for Northwood students, as we have implemented a strategic plan for growth in all programs with a focus on automotive and the automotive aftermarket. We are exceedingly grateful for industry leaders who continue to support and shape our students through internships and experiential learning.”
Since 1975, Northwood has honored aftermarket leaders for their significant efforts to further the cause of education for business and society. The Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award honorees, past and present, comprise a “who’s who” of this industry.
This year’s other honorees include:
Randy Buller, CEO, Parts Authority, New Hyde Park, New York
Michael C. Buzzard, of Dallas, Texas, managing partner, Schwartz Advisors (headquartered in La Jolla, California)
Arthur “Bo” Fisher III, CEO/owner, Fisher Auto Parts, Staunton, Virginia
Dr. Donald R. James, CEO, Solero Technologies, Rochester Hills
Brian B. Norko, senior vice president, commercial business operations, Niterra North America, Inc. (formerly NGK Spark Plugs), Wixom, Michigan
Chris Williams, president and CEO, NA Williams, Atlanta, Georgia
The Automotive Aftermarket Management Awards were developed in partnership with the Auto Care Association, Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association, Motor & Equipment Manufacturer’s Association and Northwood University. The awards luncheon was held during the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas, Nevada. AAPEX is one of the leading international meetings for the global automotive aftermarket industry.
Northwood students enrolled in the Automotive Aftermarket Management program — which is the only four-year degree program of its kind in the nation — presented the awards to the honorees.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to gather today to recognize and celebrate the successes of these professionals who are being honored by Northwood University for making a difference in the lives of many in their communities and in the aftermarket industry,” stated Northwood student Owen Hayes, of Whitehall, Michigan.
