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By Counterman
Automotive Parts Associates (APA) is pleased to announce that Midwest Parts Hub, a division of Kelley Automotive Group based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has joined the group as a shareholder.
Founded in 1952 by Jim Kelley, Kelley Automotive Group is a family-owned dealership group representing multiple vehicle brands and serving customers throughout northeastern Indiana and beyond. Midwest Parts Hub opened in 2025 and services customers throughout the surrounding region through its extensive inventory of genuine General Motors OEM, ACDelco and aftermarket parts, along with daily delivery routes and advanced technology systems. The company emphasizes inventory availability, experienced staff, technology integration and reliable service as key drivers of its continued success.
“In today’s market, if you want to stay competitive, you need to be part of a program group,” said Mike Smith, parts director for Kelley Automotive Group. “Operating completely on your own is no longer effective. After evaluating our options, we knew
link hidden, please login to view was the right choice.” “We are excited to welcome Midwest Parts Hub to APA,” said Steve Tucker, president of APA/TruStar. “Their long-standing commitment to service, innovation, and operational excellence makes them a tremendous addition to our shareholder family.”
For more information about Kelley Automotive Group, visit
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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
Automotive Parts Associates (APA) announced that Cereal City Auto Parts of Battle Creek, Michigan, has joined the organization as its newest shareholder.
Owned by Frank Marz and his business partner, Matt Green, Cereal City Auto Parts brings more than two decades of industry experience and a strong commitment to growth, service, and strategic inventory expansion to APA/TruStar. Marz began his career in the automotive aftermarket 24 years ago working in tires at Pep Boys and later joined Cereal City Auto Parts in 2010 as general manager before purchasing the business in 2023. Today, he owns the company and its three locations in partnership with Green and continues to guide its development and expansion.
Joining APA will allow Cereal City Auto Parts to further diversify product offerings, strengthen supplier relationships, and improve inventory availability. Marz said he was particularly interested in the opportunity
link hidden, please login to view provides to expand line acquisition and accelerate access to inventory, as well as the value of the organization’s data analytics resources to support informed business decisions and long-term growth planning. “APA offers the flexibility and insight we were looking for as we continue building the business,” said Marz. “The ability to add lines more efficiently and take advantage of the data analysis tools available through the group made becoming a shareholder a natural next step for us.”
“We’re excited to welcome Cereal City Auto Parts to the
link hidden, please login to view family,” said Steve Tucker, President. “Their commitment to growth and their community will make them strong addition to our shareholder base. We look forward to working with them and helping them buy better!” The post
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By Counterman
The curtain has closed on
link hidden, please login to view’ 2026 Annual General Meeting, which was held March 20-23 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Nashville. The successful event brought together nearly 300 APA shareholders, TruStar members, and supplier partners for several days of collaboration, strategic discussion, relationship building and recognition. The meeting opened with a lively welcome reception that gave attendees the opportunity to reconnect with industry colleagues and set the tone for a productive weekend, APA said. Date Night followed, providing suppliers with the opportunity to host shareholders and members for dinner and continue conversations in a more relaxed setting, helping strengthen relationships across the APA community.
Throughout the weekend, attendees also participated in scheduled one-on-one sessions featuring fast-paced, 20-minute meetings between shareholders, members, and supplier partners. This structured format encouraged productive discussions and allowed participants to connect with multiple partners while making the most of their time together.
In addition to these networking opportunities, attendees heard valuable updates on the state of the automotive aftermarket from Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association and Simeon Gutman, managing director of Morgan Stanley. Jason Popillion of Cyphernova also delivered a presentation exploring the expanding role of artificial intelligence and its growing influence across the automotive aftermarket.
APA President Steve Tucker welcomes the almost 300 attendees to the group’s annual conference and awards program. Bill Hanvey, Auto Care Association president and CEO, was a featured speaker at the APA event. The meeting concluded with the annual awards dinner, recognizing outstanding performance and long-standing commitment across the organization. The award winners are as follows:
Supplier Awards:
APA Supplier Champion Award – Gina Williams of Bosch
APA Supplier of the Year Award – FCS
Distinguished OE Partner Award – Denso
Outstanding Marketing Partner Award – DRiV
Cornerstone Award – Mevotech
Technology Award – Autologue
Content & Catalog Excellence Award – DRiV
Shareholder Awards:
Ambassador Award – Brown & Sons
Milestone Award – 50 Years – JR Auto Parts
Milestone Awards – 40 Years – H&H Wholesale Parts, Metric Auto Parts
Milestone Award – 30 Years – POJA Warehouse
New Member Recognition – Lang’s Auto Parts, Atlantic British, Prime Auto Parts, DEPSI Auto
“Bringing nearly 300 attendees together in Nashville created a tremendous environment for collaboration, meaningful conversations, and celebrating the strength of APA and TruStar,” said Steve Tucker, president of
link hidden, please login to view. “Meetings like this don’t happen without a great deal of planning behind the scenes, and I want to thank our APA staff, especially Jan Larson, our director of marketing, for delivering such a successful and engaging event for our shareholders, members, and supplier partners.” APA extends its sincere thanks to all attendees, presenters, and sponsors who contributed to making the 2026 AGM a resounding success. The organization looks forward to building on the momentum from this event as it continues to support its network throughout the year.
APA/TruStar’s 2027 Annual General Meeting is scheduled for March 12-16, in Charlotte, NC.
Supplier Partner Awards
Evening Reception – Entertainment
One-On-One Sessions
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