Northwood University will recognize eight automotive aftermarket leaders with its annual Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in Las Vegas.


The Northwood Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award is given to individuals in the automotive aftermarket field who have made noteworthy contributions to education, on any level, inside or outside of the industry. They are people of stature and the award is recognition of substantial dedication over a number of years to the educational process and the field of automotive aftermarket.

Those being honored include:

William E. Alexander, regional vice president of Uni-Select USA in Roanoke, Va. Alexander has been in the automotive parts industry since the late 1980s. Prior to his position with Uni-Select, he served as CEO, chief operating officer and president of Parts Depot. The incoming chairman of AWDA Board of Governors, Alexander is a past member of the AAIA Category Management, Market Research, and Automotive Segment Committees as well as a past member of AWDA Research and Financial Statistics Committee. He has taught and presented on both supply chain management and traditional channel marketing at many industry venues.

Mark Iasiello, vice president, Heavy Duty Manufacturing Association, Research Triangle Park, N.C. An active leader in the heavy-duty industry, Iasiello serves as a Heavy Duty Forum member, AWDA Financial Statistics and Research Committee chair and is on the Council of Fleet Specialists, the Truck Maintenance Council and the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association. An advocate for professional education, Iasiello has coordinated education programs for the University of the Aftermarket since 2006.

Pamela A. Krebs, director of advertising and sales promotion for Robert Bosch, Broadview, Ill. Krebs is an award-winning aftermarket professional, having been recognized as the 2007 Car Care Council Women's Board "Women of the Year." She is currently active as an AAIA board member and chairs the 2006-2008 AAIA Marketing & Member Relations Committee. Since 2006, she has been on the CCPN Executive Board and has served on the ACC Board of Governors. Outside the industry she is a mentor for Menttium 100, a national cross-company educational and mentoring program designed for women to help "leaders in the wings" achieve success and balance their personal and professional lives.

Roger McCollum, president and CEO, N.A Williams Company, Atlanta, Ga. McCollum has been involved in the automotive aftermarket for over 35 years. In July 1984, he joined N.A. Williams and has served as the company's president since 1997 and CEO since 2007. McCollum has served on the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Board of Governors, Manufacturers' Advisory Council and Government Affairs Committee. He is currently a member of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) Manufacturers' Representative Council and was recently recognized by AAIA for his support of AAPAC and the association's legislative activities.

Gary D. McCoy, president, Fairway Communications, Elgin, Ill. Since 2000, McCoy has led Fairway Communications, which produces marketing and public relations plans, writes and distributes news releases to specialty trade and consumer publications, and handles all facets of communications. He has been or is affiliated with the Automotive Communications Council, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association and the North American Association of Independent Public Relations Agencies. He continually gives back to his industry and the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium is one example of McCoy's dedication to educating youth.

Kate Miller, president and group publisher, Newport Communications Group, Irvine, Calif. Miller serves as the president and group publisher of Newport Communications Group, which publishes Heavy Duty Trucking, Heavy Duty Aftermarket Journal and the new RoadStar magazines, as well as the Truckinginfo.com web site. Miller is a member of the American Trucking Associations' Image Committee and the Truckload Carriers Associations' Image Subcommittee. In addition, she serves on the marketing board for the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week. She helped develop the Trucking Technician Education Program and launched the program using Career Academies and programs for preschool and elementary-aged children to introduce them to the truck industry.

James Tennant, CEO and co-owner, Ring Service Supply, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Tennant stepped into the business as a young man, and the organization has grown to employ over 400 employees owning 26 corporate stores and 16 franchise stores throughout rural Manitoba and northern Ontario. Tennant's professional involvements have included the Young Presidents' Organization, the Associates of the Asper School of Business and the Manitoba Business Council. Piston Ring Service also strongly supports the vocational schools' automotive programs by providing access to their facilities and personnel.

Douglas R. Washbish, president, Moog Louisville Warehouse, Louisville, Ky. Washbish is the second generation to lead the family automotive parts business. His professional affiliations have included serving as the chairman of YES and the Membership Committee for the AWDA; he served for two terms as a member of the Board of Governors as board vice-chairman and chairman. Washbish also serves on the AAIA Board of Directors and is an advisor to the Car Care Professionals Network. In addition to helping his own employees, he is actively engaged with Perry Elementary, an inner city school, and the Bellewood Home for battered children. Washbish and his family also provide scholarships to aid financially needy Catholic high school students who have lost parents.