AACF, ASE Unite to Support Techs Beyond Certification
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Giving Rally brought together more than 850 distributor members, suppliers, and industry partners for a week of connection, collaboration, and industry advancement, while raising $70,000 for the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF). “The generosity and engagement we saw this week was truly inspiring,” said Tina Hubbard, president and CEO of HDA Truck Pride. “Raising $70,000 for AACF reflects the powerful heart of this network—coming together to support our own when it matters most.”
Tina Hubbard, president and CEO, HDA Truck Pride. The event kicked off with a welcome reception, live auction, and the annual Giving Rally Cornhole Tournament, setting the tone for a week centered on purpose and community. Proceeds from activities throughout the week directly benefit AACF, which provides critical support to families within the aftermarket industry facing hardship.
“Spending time with the
link hidden, please login to view Truck Pride community at their Annual Meeting was incredibly meaningful,” shared John Kairys, executive director of The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF). “The conversations, the willingness to help, and the genuine care for others in our industry really stood out. That kind of support allows AACF to step in quickly and make a real difference for families facing difficult moments.” Trade Show And Breakout Sessions
Monday’s agenda featured a trade show where attendees connected on new product innovations to drive business forward. A series of breakout sessions delivered actionable insights on key topics including artificial intelligence adoption, cybersecurity preparedness, digital visibility, operational efficiency and workforce development.
USS Midway And Cornhole Tournament Finals
An evening aboard the historic USS Midway brought attendees together for laughter, friendship, patriotism, and a tribute to veterans. The cornhole tournament finals were held onboard, with Joe Brooks and Dan Harbut of Acme Truck Brake & Supply taking home the championship title.
Network Growth, CVL Warehouse, And Right-To-Repair
Tuesday’s general session highlighted the continued strength and growth of the HDA Truck Pride network, which now includes more than 220 member companies, more than 1,000 distributor locations, and more than 550 service affiliates across North America. Leadership emphasized ongoing investments in the new HDA Truck Pride CVL Warehouse with expanded product access, digital transformation, and workforce development.
Advocacy efforts included Right-to-Repair initiatives and building future talent pipelines.
HDA Truck Pride EDDY Awards
The meeting recognized excellence across the network through several HDA Truck Pride EDDY Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions to education, leadership, and professional development.
“HDA Truck Pride is a great place to be—because of our people,” Hubbard said. “Every member who chose to invest in us. Every supplier who chose to partner with us. Every staff member who chooses to show up every day. We built this. And we are only getting started. We’re especially grateful to our supplier partners, including our Annual Meeting Valor sponsors — Gates, Milwaukee, Old World Industries, Valvoline, and Bendix, without whose support we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Pictured above (from left): Jon Owens, president, AACF Board of Trustees; Tina Hubbard, president & CEO, HDA Truck Pride; John Kairys, executive director, AACF.
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By Counterman
The
link hidden, please login to view (AACF) announced that more than $70,000 was raised during the Independent Midas Dealers Association (IMDA) Convention & Trade Show 2026, held April 19 to 21 in Savannah, Georgia, as Midas celebrated its 70th anniversary. This marked the second consecutive year AACF was the event’s official charity. Support from Midas and IMDA members highlights the commitment within the aftermarket industry to care for its own.
Midas and IMDA Support for AACF
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from Midas and the IMDA community in welcoming AACF back for a second year,” said John Kairys, executive director of AACF. “The opportunity to be part of this event and connect directly with franchisees, leadership and partners is invaluable. It speaks volumes about the culture of this organization and the genuine commitment to supporting one another across the industry.”
AACF Booth, Donations and Prize Drawings
Throughout the event, IMDA members, franchisees, suppliers and corporate partners visited the AACF booth to learn more about the foundation’s mission, contribute donations, and participate in prize drawings. The event also provided a platform for AACF leadership to connect directly with those who make up the Midas network.
Kairys joined Jeff Genuario, incoming IMDA president, and Adam Stranik, outgoing IMDA president, on stage to share the foundation’s impact and highlight real stories of individuals and families supported through AACF. “As we celebrate 70 years of Midas, it’s important to recognize the people behind our success,” said Genuario. “Supporting AACF allows us to extend that commitment beyond the shop and into the lives of our teammates and their families when they need it most.”
Stranik added, “The automotive aftermarket is built on strong relationships, and
link hidden, please login to view plays a critical role in supporting those within our industry facing unexpected hardship. We’re proud to continue this partnership and to see the incredible generosity of IMDA members make a real difference.” Funds to Support Aftermarket Professionals and Families
The funds raised during the event will directly support aftermarket professionals and their families facing life-changing challenges such as medical emergencies, natural disasters and catastrophic events.
“The generosity shown throughout this event speaks volumes about the character of this industry, and partnering with AACF allows us to extend that support beyond the shop and into the lives of those who need it most,” said Lenny Valentino Jr., Midas president and COO. “Our commitment doesn’t end here,” he continued. “We’ll continue supporting AACF and the people who depend on it today and always.”
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By Counterman
The
link hidden, please login to view (AACF) announced Automotive Parts Headquarters Inc. (APH) as the recipient of its Humanitarian Award during a presentation at the link hidden, please login to view. Presentation at MEMA Vision Conference
The award recognizes individuals and organizations in the automotive aftermarket who demonstrate outstanding compassion, generosity and service to others.
link hidden, please login to view was selected from a group of nominees representing the industry’s commitment to giving back. The award was presented on stage to Corey Bartlett, president and CEO, on behalf of APH by AACF President Jon Owens, alongside Joe Stephen of NEXUS North America and AACF Executive Director John Kairys. Corey and his brother, Lee, thanked the audience with a
link hidden, please login to view. “
link hidden, please login to view truly represents the heart of the aftermarket,” said Owens. “Their commitment to helping others and bringing people together to make a meaningful impact is an inspiration to us all.” Community Impact and Fundraising for WACOSA
APH was recognized for its longstanding dedication to community impact, including leading an annual fundraiser supporting adults with disabilities. Through its efforts—alongside supplier partners and the Bartlett family—APH has helped raise more than $3.2 million over the past 13 years, with a record $482,000 raised in 2025.
Proceeds from these efforts benefit WACOSA, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that empowers adults with disabilities to gain skills, find meaningful employment and thrive within their communities. APH’s leadership and collaborative approach have helped expand opportunities for hundreds of individuals each year.
“We are honored to receive this award from AACF,” said Bartlett. “It’s fantastic recognition for the entire APH team and our supplier partners, who have been incredibly generous in helping support the communities that we serve. Giving back is important to us, and we’re proud to be part of an industry that cares so deeply about helping others.”
Support From NEXUS North America
The AACF Humanitarian Award is supported by
link hidden, please login to view, whose partnership helps shine a light on the people and organizations making a difference across the aftermarket. “At NEXUS, we believe the strength of our industry lies in how we support one another here in North America and around the globe,” said Stephen. “Automotive Parts Headquarters is a powerful example of that commitment in action, and we’re honored to help recognize their incredible impact through this award.”
AACF also extended its appreciation to all nominees, noting that the selection process reflected the strength, compassion and generosity that define the automotive aftermarket community.
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By Counterman
The
link hidden, please login to view is encouraging industry supporters to participate in its promotional campaign, which combines its ongoing 1969 Pontiac Firebird sweepstakes with a limited-time April giveaway. Throughout April, entrants in the Firebird sweepstakes are automatically entered for a chance to win an Advance Professional Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit with Stand. April promotion and giveaway details
The promotion includes an added incentive: 30% more entries into the Firebird sweepstakes during the campaign period. The flash giveaway winner for the Solo Stove will be selected in early May.
1969 Pontiac Firebird grand-prize specifications
The featured grand prize is a restored 1969 Pontiac Firebird finished in Champagne Gold Metallic. It includes a 350-cubic-inch V-8 engine, TH350 automatic transmission, dual exhaust, front power disc brakes, 17-inch Yokohama tires and an updated air conditioning system using R134a refrigerant.
Mission and entry information
AACF noted that the April promotion is designed to increase engagement while continuing to raise awareness and support for the foundation’s mission. Participants can enter the sweepstakes online, with proceeds supporting AACF’s efforts to provide financial assistance to automotive aftermarket professionals and their families in times of need.
For more information or to enter, visit www.aftermarketcharity.org or
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By Counterman
Autel U.S. announced that its Autel Academy ADAS Training Program has received accreditation from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).
ASE and I-CAR Accreditation
The ASE and I-CAR accreditation confirms that Autel’s instructor-led training program meets the requirements for technician training and development as defined by these organizations. ASE and I-CAR are widely recognized as benchmarks in automotive service and education, and their endorsement signals that Autel’s curriculum delivers industry-relevant instruction aligned with current technological demands.
Matt Shepanek, vice president of credential testing programs at ASE, emphasized the significance of the accreditation process, noting that it delivers meaningful value for both training providers and the industry. “Accreditation provides training organizations with recognized credibility, ensures their curriculum aligns with current industry standards, and verifies that they are maintaining high-quality instruction, facilities, and resources,” said Shepanek. “Autel successfully met all of these criteria, and we are pleased to recognize them as an ASE-accredited training provider.”
ADAS Calibration Training Program
link hidden, please login to view link hidden, please login to view launched its ADAS calibration training program in 2023 at its U.S. corporate headquarters in Port Washington, New York. The program combines structured classroom instruction with hands-on experience in a dedicated training bay, allowing technicians to work directly with ADAS calibration equipment and real-world vehicle scenarios. The classroom portion delivers a foundational understanding of ADAS theory, including system architecture, sensor types, OEM calibration requirements, and workflow best practices. Hands-on training reinforces this foundation as technicians perform static and dynamic calibrations on vehicles in a controlled, real-world environment.
The program also emphasizes diagnostic strategy and troubleshooting to help technicians identify and resolve common calibration issues encountered in shop settings. Topics include alignment variables, target placement errors, environmental factors, and system fault conditions.
Following strong demand,
link hidden, please login to view has expanded its training footprint to additional locations, including Michigan, Missouri, California, and Florida, making advanced ADAS education more accessible to technicians across the country. Technician Certification Assessment and Continuing Education Credits
To further enhance the program, Autel will introduce a third day of training to its current two-day course. This additional day will include a technician certification assessment, enabling participants to demonstrate mastery of the curriculum.
Successful completion will provide technicians with ASE and I-CAR continuing education credits, reinforcing both their technical competency and professional credentials.
“We are proud to have our ADAS Training Program recognized by ASE,” said Chris Gutierrez, Product and Training Director – ADAS, Autel North America. “This accreditation validates the depth and quality of our curriculum and our hands-on approach. Our goal is to ensure technicians leave our program well prepared to perform accurate ADAS calibrations with confidence and consistency in real-world shop environments.”
Technicians and ADAS Systems
For technicians, this training represents an opportunity to build expertise in one of the fastest-growing and most technically demanding areas of automotive service. ADAS systems directly impact vehicle safety, and improper calibration can lead to system malfunctions or compromised performance.
Through Autel’s ASE and I-CAR-accredited program, technicians gain the confidence to perform precise calibrations, reduce liability risks, increase shop efficiency, and position themselves as trusted specialists in advanced vehicle technology.
With this accreditation, Autel continues to strengthen its role as a trusted partner for repair shops, technicians and industry professionals seeking reliable tools and comprehensive education in ADAS technologies.
For more information or to book your class today, click
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