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ACDelco Launches ‘Ride, Race, Rewards’ Sweepstakes For Technicians And DIY’ers
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By Counterman
Advance Auto Parts announced a shakeup of its leadership team on Aug. 23, as the company reported flat second-quarter sales and a steep drop in earnings and operating income.
Shane O’Kelly, who has served as the CEO of Home Depot subsidiary HD Supply since 2020, will take over as president and CEO effective Sept. 11.
Outgoing CEO Tom Greco, who announced his planned retirement in February, “will stay on as an advisor to ensure a seamless transition,” according to the company. Greco has served as president and CEO since April 2016.
Prior to joining Home Depot, O’Kelly was the CEO of PetroChoice, the nation’s largest distributor of lubricants and lubrication solutions. O’Kelly, 54, served as a captain in the U.S. Army in the 1990s and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, along with a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
link hidden, please login to viewShane O’Kelly (photo courtesy of the Home Depot) Gene Lee, interim executive chair for Advance, spoke highly of O’Kelly during the company’s second-quarter conference call.
“We talked to a lot of people, and by far Shane was the best person for this role,” Lee said. “ … I think that he is a car enthusiast. He has sold into the channel before. He loves the business, and I think his leadership style is perfect for where we are in our journey and what we need.”
Lee noted that a number of good candidates were bound by non-compete agreements.
“But even so, when it was all said and done, Shane O’ Kelly was by far our best candidate for this role in the current situation,” Lee said. “He is well-educated, [has a] strong, disciplined background, and he’s a thoughtful human being with a real focus on customers.”
Advance also named Tony Iskander as interim chief financial officer, effective Aug. 18. Iskander succeeds Jeff Shepherd, who departed from Advance, effective Aug. 18.
Iskander has more than 25 years of finance and accounting experience and served as the company’s senior vice president, finance and treasurer since 2020. Prior to joining Advance in 2017, he spent more than a decade at Hillrom, where he held various finance roles of increasing responsibility.
Advance said a search for a permanent CFO is underway, with the help of a leading executive-search firm.
“We thank Jeff for his contributions and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” Lee said in a news release. “Advance is fortunate to have a seasoned executive in Tony to assume the CFO role on an interim basis. I am very confident that Tony will lead the finance team through a seamless transition and work closely with Advance’s new CEO when Shane officially joins in September.”
Coinciding with the leadership shakeup, Advance announced that the company is launching “a comprehensive operational and strategic review.”
“We’re executing a number of operational improvements including inventory-optimization initiatives, improving asset productivity across the enterprise, investments in our front-line organization to reduce turnover and disciplined cost controls, which we expect to benefit the cost structure and working capital while strengthening Advance for the long term,” Lee said during the conference call. “However, we know there’s more work to be done, and the team is focused on building on these actions and looking for ways to drive even stronger performance and enhanced value.”
On Aug. 23, Advance reported second-quarter net sales of $2.7 billion, up 0.8% over second-quarter 2023. Comparable-store sales ticked 0.6% lower on a year-over-year basis.
Second-quarter diluted earnings per common share were $1.43, down from $2.38 in second-quarter 2022. Operating income was $134.4 million, down from $201.7 million in second-quarter 2022.
“Coming into the quarter, we knew Q2 was going to be challenging and that the investments we’re making in both inventory to help improve availability and strategic pricing to maintain competitive price targets would build through the year,” Greco said during the conference call. “ … We delivered net sales growth in the quarter. However, the balance of our Q2 financial metrics remain challenged. As [Lee] noted, while we’re executing some operational improvements, there are further actions that need to be taken to accelerate profitable growth.”
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By Counterman
The Automotive Aftermarket Riders Club’s (AARC) annual Ride for the Future three-day motorcycle ride will start on Oct. 26 in Las Vegas.
The ride raises money for the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF) to help fund scholarships and educational opportunities for the next generation of industry professionals.
AARC encourages those who support its mission to participate in this year’s epic adventure or contribute by texting AARC to 53-555 to join the UAF Coffee Club.
The scenic ride will begin at Eagle Rider Rentals and Tours in Las Vegas on Thursday, Oct. 26. The riders will head to Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona, with stops at Zion National Park in southern Utah and Lake Powell in northern Arizona.
The riders will head back to Las Vegas on Oct. 28 in time for the start of AWDA, AAPEX and the UAF Coffee Club event.
Interested riders can rent motorcycles from Eagle Rider Rentals and Tours with an advance reservation. For more information or to learn how to become a rider or sponsor, contact Mike Mohler, leader of the pack at [email protected].
”The AARC Ride for the Future is a fun, memorable and rewarding experience,” Mohler said. ”Not only are we visiting epic locations and having a great time, but we are giving back. It’s a win-win for our riders and the industry. If you can’t join us, please support us by texting AARC to 53-555 and pouring it forward for the next generation.”
To learn more about the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, visit
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By Advance Auto Parts
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS OFFERING STUDENTS A CHANCE TO WIN A ‘FUEL RIDE TO COLLEGE’ AND FREE ‘OFF-TO-CAMPUS’ IN-STORE SERVICES
Incoming college freshmen can enter to win a “fuel ride” – four years of free gasoline – after new national survey reveals gas is a significant financial strain for majority of students
RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Advance Auto Parts (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider, announced today that it will help advance the education of incoming college freshmen, and ease their financial burden, by awarding 10 “fuel rides” in the form of four years of free gasoline to 10 lucky winners of the “Fuel Ride to College” sweepstakes.*
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:
link hidden, please login to view Along with providing four years of free gas to 10 college students, Advance Auto Parts is offering free in-store services, including free battery testing and installation, wiper blade installation and check engine light scanning. (Photo: Business Wire)
Advance’s “Fuel Ride to College” sweepstakes arrives right on time as prices at the pump tick up. New data from Atomik Research reveals that 67% of college students cite gasoline for their automobile as being an expense that puts the most financial strain on their wallet**, while 76% of parents of incoming freshmen say they are worried about their student’s ability to afford gas.***
Parents also have significant anxiety regarding the safety of their college students when it comes to the automobiles they operate, according to Atomik Research surveys commissioned by Advance. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of parents of incoming college freshmen feel very or extremely anxious about their student’s safety when it comes to maintaining their cars and about three-fourths (73%) of parents have more anxiety about the car safety of their incoming college freshman than they did during the child’s senior year in high school.
Parents’ anxiety is warranted as more than half of college students admit to having ignored dashboard alerts and notifications, including “check engine” and “low battery warning,” according to the survey.
To help ease this anxiety, Advance and its team of friendly automotive experts are offering students and their parents free “off-to-campus” in-store services at Advance stores nationwide, including free battery testing and installation, wiper blade installation and check engine light scanning.
In addition to awarding 10 four-year “Fuel Rides to College,” Advance will also award 20 additional winners a $100 Advance gift card to stock up on essentials to help keep their automobiles in reliable shape this school year. If interested in learning more, visit
link hidden, please login to view through Aug. 18 to review eligibility requirements to enter for a chance to win and to review the sweepstakes rules. “Starting college is exciting for incoming freshmen, but that excitement is accompanied by anxiety and worry for both students and their parents, especially regarding finances and safety,” said Samantha Avivi, Advance’s chief marketing officer. “Through our ‘Fuel Ride to College’ program and complimentary curbside services for motorists, we want to put the brakes on fuel-filled worries for both students and parents, especially when it comes to having a reliable and safe automobile on the road to college, around campus, back home and everywhere in between.”
Additional data from the Atomik surveys validate the value of a “Fuel Ride to College:”
One-third (33%) of students cite that a lack of gas money or the cost of gas has deterred them from going to class, the library or study groups, while 60% of incoming college students’ parents express this exact worry: that the cost of gas will deter their child from going to class or education-related activities. Many college students choose between fueling their body and their automobile: more than one-third (36%) say they have compromised or cut back on groceries to fit gas money into their budget. One-quarter (25%) of college students say they’ve had to cut back or compromise school supplies to fuel their automobiles. Advance has also partnered with auto racing driver and television personality Arie Luyendyk Jr. to encourage incoming freshmen to enter for a chance to win a “Fuel Ride to College” and spread the word about Advance’s commitment to providing parents peace of mind via complimentary in-store services. Check out
link hidden, please login to view or visit an link hidden, please login to view to shop for auto parts and products needed to get vehicles in shape for the school year or to receive a free off-to-campus vehicle checkup. About Advance Auto Parts
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers. As of April 22, 2023, Advance operated 4,778 stores and 318 Worldpac branches primarily within the United States, with additional locations in Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company also served 1,315 independently owned Carquest branded stores across these locations in addition to Mexico and various Caribbean islands. Additional information about Advance, including employment opportunities, customer services, and online shopping for parts, accessories and other offerings can be found at
link hidden, please login to view. * NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.), 17 to 20 years of age. Void where prohibited by law. Sweepstakes begins at 8:00 am ET on 8/7/23 and ends at 11:59 pm ET on 8/18/23. Subject to full Official Rules including prizes and odds,
link hidden, please login to view. Sponsor: Advance Stores Company, Incorporated, 4200 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609. ** Atomik Research conducted an online survey of 1,003 college students across the United States between July 10 and 12, 2023. Qualified respondents are students currently enrolled or planning to be enrolled at a college, university, community college or trade school this fall and who own and/or regularly operate a car. The age of participants ranges between 18 and 24. Margin of error of the sample is +/- 3 percentage points with a confidence level of 95%.
*** Atomik Research conducted an online survey of 504 parents of incoming college freshmen across the United States between July 10 and 18, 2023. Qualified respondents are parents of incoming freshmen, who own or regularly operate a car, and are planning to be enrolled at a college, university, community college or trade school this fall. Margin of error of the sample is +/- 4 percentage points with a confidence level of 95%.
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Advance Auto Parts Contacts:
Investor Relations:
Elisabeth Eisleben
T: (919) 227-5466
E: [email protected]
Media Relations:
Darryl Carr
T: (984) 389-7207
E: [email protected]
Source: Advance Auto Parts
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By Counterman
The Automotive Content Professionals Network (ACPN), a community of the Auto Care Association, announced the launch of its first-ever annual sponsorship program.
The annual sponsorship program will allow companies to show their support of the ACPN community and the educational advancement of content professionals across the industry, as well as provide year-round promotion of their companies to thousands of content professionals.
Sponsorship dollars are directly used to support ACPN’s mission to “Educate, Inspire and Connect” industry professionals who specialize in the management of product-related content. This includes but is not limited to ACPN programs such as:
ACPN Pipeline On-Demand Media Content Annual Knowledge Exchange Conference Content Excellence Awards ACP Designation ACPN Scholarship The annual sponsorship program offers five tiers of engagement: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Gold. Sponsorship benefits within these tiers can range from logo recognition on theACPN webpage to recognition at the ACPN Chair’s Dinner and Entertainment Event Sponsor at the annual Auto Care Connect Week event.
The ACPN sponsorship program is available only to Auto Care Association member companies. For more information and to purchase, please visit
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By Counterman
To remind automotive technicians and service facilities that they must keep their TPMS-tool software updated regularly, a group of TPMS tool and sensor manufacturers, along with the Tire Industry Association (TIA), has launched a national public-service campaign called “Update Your TPMS Tools!”
The Coalition of TPMS Manufacturers, including ATEQ, Bartec, Continental and Schrader, along with the
link hidden, please login to view, has come together to tackle the challenge faced by technicians who have not kept their TPMS-tool software up to date. Having up-to-date software is particularly essential with the introduction of the latest generation of TPMS sensors. By updating their TPMS-tool software, technicians can prevent TPMS service issues and avoid unnecessary delays, ultimately delivering improved customer service. The launch of the “Update Your TPMS Tools!” campaign coincides with National Tire Safety Week, an annual consumer-awareness initiative of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association aimed at educating motorists about tire care, safety and awareness as essential parts of road safety.
“TPMS tool manufacturers are routinely releasing software updates throughout the year,” said Shawn Pease, director of automotive tire service at the Tire Industry Association. Many factors can initiate a software change, such as new sensor technologies, vehicle-model introductions or vehicle recalls. Keeping the TPMS-tool software up to date helps ensure faster, more successful TPMS service with fewer comebacks.”
According to recent surveys, up to 35% of technicians have not updated their TPMS-tool software in the last year.
When working with the newest generation of TPMS sensors, technicians need the latest generation of TPMS-tool software, the coalition says. Without it, they cannot perform TPMS service successfully.
In addition to alerting shops and technicians about the need to register their tool and keep its software updated, the campaign is stressing the need to always perform a sensor relearn when rotating tires or performing TPMS service. Failing to perform the relearn is one of the most common reasons for TPMS-service comebacks. Up to 20% of technicians surveyed don’t regularly perform the relearn when doing tire service, according to the coalition.
link hidden, please login to view offers links to software-update downloads for many of the most popular TPMS tools. Technicians also can check with their tool manufacturer’s website to find links for TPMS-tool software updates. By engaging technicians and service facilities in the “Update Your TPMS Tools!” campaign, TPMS manufacturers and the TIA seek to raise awareness about the crucial role of TPMS-tool software updates in delivering exceptional TPMS service. Technicians are encouraged to prioritize updating their tools regularly, ensuring they can provide efficient, reliable and seamless TPMS service to their valued customers.
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