Click Here for MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award Nomination Form

June 7, 2023 - The Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA) has selected Ken Wending, retired from Standard Motor Products and living in Chesaning, Michigan as recipient of its 2023 MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Created in 2010 the MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award is designed to honor the excellence of individuals in the automotive aftermarket indusry who have made significant impacts in the industry and/or the association. The recipient must have/had an extensive career in the industry, contributed significantly to the automotive aftermarket industry in Michigan and made accomplishments within their local community.

About Ken. Training, Training, Training - Raising up the future, Work, Service and Family. Ken has been a longtime member of MAPA (Michigan Automotive Parts Association) and made sure Standard Motor Products had input with this organization which is committed to ongoing training for all industry professionals at every level. Ken always made sure to sponsor and attend MAPA Industry Day. Over the years Ken helped recruit big names to sit on MAPA Industry Day panels, like Eric Sills, President & CEO of Standard Motor Products. When asked to be on the panel himself, Ken always indicated he would find someone more qualified than himself.

Early in his career Ken taught an automotive class at a local high school for apprentice techs and was also a frequent automotive radio show guest helping callers to diagnose their automotive problem and guide them down the correct "do it yourself" repair path.

In addition to Ken's sales territory, he also traveled the country for SMP training Firestone technicians on how to diagnose and repair auto and truck air-conditioning systems. He also put in place the Professional Technician Hands on Training which was kicked off in Lansing, Michigan.

When hiring employees, Ken spent two weeks with each employee giving the new hire his undivided attention teaching them about the industry, Standard Motor Products and the technical side of the business. Ken had everything in his office that you would find today in a company training department! Cut-a-away samples of product, tools and more. Employees often completed hands on training in Ken's driveway on one of his or his neighbor's cars or once in a while they would work on a neighbors farm tractor! He often states he is proud of the fact that he completed in one year more technician seminars than anyone at Standard Motor Products - 81! These were all technician classes conducted in the evening on top of his regular territory manager responsibilities. Ken spearheaded the Auto-Wares Tech Expo Jeopardy and Top Gun Contests for many years writing much of the material and hosting as a great Alen Trebek.

Ken was known for performing hands-on air-conditioning check lanes often starting at 7 AM and not finishing until after 8 PM. At these events he would work with the individual jobber stores and promote the FREE A/C check lane on local radio stations like WWJ out of Detroit. At some events there would be almost a mile-long line of vehicles waiting for their free A/C check-up. If the car only needed a small refrigerant top-off he would perform that service after diagnosing the vehicles and then if the cars needed more service, he would have a deal set up with the local repair facilities to perform the more major work at a discount. In Michigan these check lanes are legendary!

Work and Service to Others. As soon as Ken was old enough to hold a wrench, he started working on bicycles, then minibikes, snowmobiles, motorcycles and cars. While still in school Ken started work in the automotive aftermarket at Gold and Sons Automotive. After a few years David Gold's father, Steve asked Ken to manage Gold and Sons Automotive Parts Store. 

Ken started at Standard Motor Products June of 1980 during the start of the automobile electronic revolution with electronic ignition, computers and small light weight automotive air-conditioning systems with different types of refrigerant. While a Territory Sales Manager Ken was named "Territory Manager of the Year" for 5 of his 8 years and was inducted into the Inner Circle Sales Club. He then moved to Zone Sales Manager and was named "Zone Manager of the Year" 8 times. In 2006 Ken became Regional Sales Manager for the east half of the United States. In 2009 he was promoted to National Sales Manager and then Vice President Warehouse Distribution Sales in 2013. Even though Ken retired in 2018, he continued with special projects for the company until 2021. Ken served Standard Motor Products for 41 years. He always managed "hands on" and was never afraid to work alongside you - never afraid to get his hands dirty. He always had an ear at the street level, even when his career elevated to senior positions. Ken helped Standard Motor Products make relevant, 'real world' decisions. There was not an industry event that Ken did not attend. Global Symposiums to name a few.

Ken was one of the original Northwood University Leadership attendees. He was the recipient of the "Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award" from Northwood University in 2017 during Industry Week in Las Vegas.

Ken is a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus, working for the K of C in many fundraising projects.Since retirement he helped to completely renovate St. Michiael's Catholic Church which he has been a parishioner of his whole life.

Since retirement Ken helped a nephew completely renovate an old farmhouse, including raising the house to add a 9-foot basement underneath and removing the roof to create 16-foot cathedral ceilings. In retirement Ken has also been driving tractors or whatever is needed on family farms.

On September 28, 2022 hurrican Ian hit southwest Florida leaving unbelievable damage. With a truck load of tools, Ken and Shirley headed to Florida and helped many homeowners rebuild. Ken did everything including drywall, redoing flooded electrical and plumbing projects, to hauling many truckloads of debris to the scrap yard.

A Family and God Centered Man. Ken and his wife Shirley live in Chesaning and have two children and two grandchildren. Ken's son, Jason is also in the automotive business and is the lead salesman at a GM dealership. Ken's daughter, Kristen and her husband, Dan live in Allendale with children Kennadi and Owen. Kristen is an elementary school teacher and Dan is a Lead Project Engineer.

Ken is a lifelong member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Maple Grove and was an alter boy growing up. He was a little league baseball coach when son, Jason was growing up, from the time Jason could play at age 5 until he was in high school.

What are Ken and Shirley up to now? Ken and Jason love to snowmobile in the winter and summer is Harley riding time! Motorcycling is a complete family affair. Today, you will most likely find Ken and Shirley sitting in the bleachers (sometimes 3-4 times per week on the west side of the state) watching Granddaughter Kennadi running track, and Grandson Owen playing basketball, football, baseball and swimming. And still today if you ask Ken about the Automotive Aftermarket he will tell you what he's said for many, many years ... I love selling new parts for used cars!!

The MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Ken Wending during MAPA Industry Day 2023 being held on Wednesday, September 13th at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West hotel in Lansing, Michigan. Presenting the award will be Rich Violette and Darrell Liddell.