Lifetime Achievement Award
September 25, 2024 - The Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA) honored Dan Scheuerlein, retired from Auto-Wares Group and living in Bay City, Michigan as recipient of its 2024 MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award on September 12, 2024 during MAPA Industry Day 2024 held in Lansing, Michigan at the Crowne Plaza Lansing Hotel. Presenters were Rich Violette and Mike Carr. Created in 2010 the MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award is designed to honor the excellence of individuals in the automotive aftermarket industry 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 Dan. Dan was born and raised in Bay City, Michigan. He has an Associates Degree from Delta College in Business Studies and General Management. Dan started in 1965, at the age of 16 as a co-op employee at Lowery-Northern Company, an auto parts store in Bay City, Michigan owned by Andy Anderson. Positions held included stock boy, truck driver, counterman, buyer, and eventually store manager at age 22 of a branch location in Saginaw, Michigan named First Automotive. In 1974 Dan was offered and accepted the job of warehouse manager at Northern Supply Co. at the main warehouse distributor division of the company in Bay City. In 1977 Dan was promoted to Outside Salesman calling on independent Jobbers in Northeast Michigan. In 1988 Northern Supply Co. was purchased by Auto-Wares Inc. under the ownership of Fred Bunting. Dan has held many positions and accomplishments since being with Auto-Wares, including:
Dan retired at the end of 2017 after working in the Automotive Aftermarket for 51 years, of which 40 years were in sales. Per Dan, "I am fortunate to be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary with my wife Mary Beth in June of 2024. Together we had two wonderful Girls, Bethany and Sara; Bethany has a beautiful daughter, our 5-year-old granddaughter, Clementine. Sarah is married to Travis, our great son-in-law."
October 20, 2023 - The Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA) honored Ken Wendling, retired from Standard Motor Products and living in Chesaning, Michigan as recipient of its 2023 MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award on September 13, 2023 during MAPA Industry Day 2023 held in Lansing, Michigan at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West. Presenters were Darrell Liddell and Rich Violette. 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. 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 he 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. Teaching the Next Generation. 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. Keeping Things Cool. 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! Illustrious Career at SMP. 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. 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 Man. Ken and his wife Shirley have been married 50 years and live in Chesaning, Michigan. They 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 Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA) honored Ron Dannis of BMP Distributing located in Ferndale, Michigan as recipient of its 2022 MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award on September 14, 2022 during MAPA Industry Day 2022 held in Lansing at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West hotel. Ron is the former owner of Black Magic Products in Ferndale, known as BMP Distributing today where Ron can still be found. A little about Ron, as told by Ron's nominator Ron Gray of Ron's Auto Parts in Capac: Ron Dannis has been around the automotive aftermarket for many, many years from being a factory rep. at Henkel to starting Black Magic Products (BMP) as a chemical company and now a rep. for the company he once owned. Now 85 he still makes his regular sales calls. I honestly believe that is why he is still here today. His love for the business and helping owners and managers succeed. From my first year as a store owner he has been there with advice and suggestions to improve even though I went years without buying after changing program groups. Ron has been a great supporter of Scouting and many other youth groups always buying popcorn and tickets to the raffle of the day, then dontating the winnings back. He ran many programs years ago also giving back to the community. Never asking for anything, always there if you needed anything. I can not say enough about Ron and his wife Diane who drives him around. More about Ron, as told by Robert Blank and Scott Schoch: Ron is one of three children born and raised in Detroit, Michigan to Charles and Lilian Dannis. In the 50's Ron's family moved to Warren where he was surrounded by cousins, aunts, uncles, and his grandparents who lived next door. Family gatherings were frequent and full of fun. Ron's mother, Lilian ran for several elections becoming a City of Warren Council Woman and later Treasurer for the City of Warren. Ron was active in politics from a young age. He helped several candidates run for office and continues to follow political events and elections. Summers for Ron were spent in Port Austin. His family helped build a cottage that was used by everyone in the family. Ron attended high school at Warren Fitzgerald High School. There he played sports. He was captain of the varisty baseball team and a tight end for the varsity football team. After high school, Ron went on to community college for two years. He soon found a job working for Diversity Corporation in sales. He mostly serviced restaurants and hospitals. In the meantime, Ron married and had three children. He was president of the Homeowner's Association, and he coached his son's soccer team and daughter's softball team. Ron loved playing sports with his children and helped develop their love for sports too. After three years, Ron left Diversity Corporation and went to work for Pennwalt Corporation again as a saleperson. His work took him around the central part of the United States, selling chlorine, automotive chemicals and farm products. Ron's success earned him another position, this time for Henkel Corporation. Henkel Corporation recognized Ron's talents and offered him the position of National Salesperson. Ron sold adhesives in territories all over the United States. Living in Michigan his whole life, Ron was interested in the automotive business. While at Henkel, he met Frank Rosenthal and Allen Spector and they decided to go into business together selling Black Magic Products and other car related parts. Black Magic Products was renamed to BMP Corporation. The company prospered. Ron later sold his shares of BMP Corporation to his partner and moved to Florida where he met his wife Diane of 35 years. Ron has four children, one deceased child and four grandchildren. In 1992 Ron and Diane moved back to Michigan. Ron reconnected with BMP Distributing and resumed representing BMP as their Salesperson. Ron has spent 52 years in the automotive aftermarket industry. Congratulations Ron!
The Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA) honored Wayne Foote, CEO of B & W Auto Supply located in Portland, Michigan as recipient of its 2021 MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award during MAPA Industry Day held on September 15, 2021 at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Flint, Michigan. Wayne's accomplishments in Michigan's automotive aftermarket over the last 60 years were highlighted. Presenters were Wayne's sons, Randy and Greg Foote. Created in 2010, the MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award is designed to honor the excellence of individuals in the automotive aftermarket industry 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 his or her local community. About Wayne. On November 1, 1961 Wayne Foote and his Uncle Bob Cook went into partnership to purchase Curtis Auto Supply in Portland, Michigan from Russel Curtis. They renamed the store B & W Auto Supply and operated from that location until they moved into a larger building across the street in 1963. Wayne and Bob continued to grow the business, however Bob decided to go onto other ventures and Wayne purchased Bob’s half of the business in 1970. At that point Wayne knew he could not operate the business on his own, so once again he asked for help from his wife Joan, whom he married in 1956. They came up with a plan that she could perform the office duties while their sons Randy and Greg were in school. Joan continued to run the bookkeeping for all stores until 2017. Even though Joan is not as active in the office now, she still plays a vital role in the bookkeeping side of the business operations. In 1971 Wayne purchased Grand Ledge Auto Parts in Grand Ledge, Michigan. He saw this as an opportunity not only because of the auto parts business but this store included a machine shop and an auto body paint mixing business. In 1973 Wayne incorporated under the legal name Wayne’s B & W Auto Supply, Inc. Later in 1973 he purchased H & H Automotive in Ionia, Michigan. In 1986 Clinton Automotive was purchased and renamed St. Johns Auto Parts. This purchase included the auto parts business, a machine shop and radiator repair shop. In 1992 Perry Automotive was purchased and this store also included a machine shop. In the year 2000 Wayne saw a dramatically changing market in Ionia. He has always realized as a businessman there are going to be times when you have to make tough decisions. With much thought he decided to close the store in Ionia and concentrate his resources to the betterment of the other four stores. In 2012 Durand Auto Parts was purchased from General Auto Parts-CARQUEST. Throughout Wayne’s 60 years of being involved in the automotive aftermarket he has always believed in these basic principles: Always be fair and honest to everyone; Be committed to service and high quality; Work hard; Have your stores be attractive, bright and welcoming; Make sure your employees are courteous and helpful; Be involved in your community. Wayne not only believed in these principles, he has an impressive list to show how he has implemented them: He built the businesses to 5 locations with 45 employees; Built new stores in 4 locations: Portland in 1997, St. Johns in 2002, Grand Ledge in 2004, Durand in 2013. In 1997 he donated the previous Portland location building to the City of Portland so they would be able to build a new City Hall with an expanded parking lot; Member of MAPA for over 46 years; MAPA board member 2012-2017; CARQUEST Jobber of the Year 1987; City of Portland Business of the Year 2015; Dedicating his entire career giving his insight of the importance of the independent auto parts jobber to the local community. This includes staying in constant contact with suppliers at all levels, employees, customers and the community as a whole. Wayne not only dedicated his life to the aftermarket, he is also very involved with the betterment of his community through many years of volunteer work which includes; Portland Jaycees member 1962-1972; Portland United Methodist Church Administrative Council Chairperson for 20 years as well as serving on various committee for many years; Portland Chamber of Commerce member for 60 years; Portland Chamber of Commerce President 1978; Board member for Maynard Allen State Bank and First Michigan Bank; Supporter of Portland Civic Players; Portland High School varsity football scoreboard operator since 1971; Consistent donations of both time and money to the many non-profit organizations within his community. Congratulations Wayne!
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Ken Wendling with Family
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