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Highline Warren Supports UofA Foundation as Lifetime Trustee
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By Counterman
The ASE Education Foundation recently convened a workshop to review the tasks and tools used by ASE-accredited collision repair and refinish programs in high schools and colleges nationwide.
The review committee consisted of individuals representing vehicle manufacturers, collision repair and refinish shop owners and technicians, instructors and industry trainers and equipment and parts suppliers.
“We want to thank the committee members for working diligently to review and enhance our standards for collision repair and refinish program accreditation,” said Mike Coley, president of the ASE Education Foundation. “The updates reflect what is happening in the industry with new technologies like EVs and ADAS and will help collision repair and refinish students be better prepared to enter the workforce.”
One of the major outcomes was the creation of a new area of accreditation entitled “Collision Repair and Refinish Fundamentals.”
This new area includes 121 distinct skills/tasks and requires a minimum of 300 hours of combined classroom/lab instruction. It draws from the existing areas of accreditation but focuses on five core skill areas highly valued by employers: damaged vehicle disassembly, reassembly, small-dent repair, plastic repair and prep for refinish.
The new option gives schools and local businesses another path to prepare students for success in entry-level positions with skills that are in high demand, according to ASE.
The updated collision repair and refinish standards include new hybrid and electric vehicle safety tasks that are required for all students in ASE-accredited collision repair and refinish programs. Two new task sections in mechanical and electrical components also were also added for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and hybrid and electric vehicle service procedures.
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By Counterman
The University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF) welcomes GB Remanufacturing Inc. as a new lifetime trustee and thanks the company for its generous support.
Michael Kitching, president and CEO of GB Remanufacturing, will serve as the company’s representative on the UAF board of trustees.
“The University of the Aftermarket Foundation plays a fundamental role in educating and shaping the future leaders of our industry. All of us at GB Remanufacturing are proud to support this great organization as a lifetime trustee,” Kitching said. “Our industry constantly evolves and must adapt to a rapidly changing business landscape, and it is crucial that we continue to support those pursuing careers and leadership roles within the aftermarket wherever we can.”
The University of the Aftermarket Foundation lifetime-trustee designation is reserved for exceptional donors that support the UAF mission of providing scholarships and educational opportunities for the next generation of aftermarket professionals.
“We are very proud to welcome GB Remanufacturing as a lifetime trustee and we appreciate Michael volunteering his time to serve on the UAF board of trustees,” said Bob Egan, chairman of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. “The generous support of GB Remanufacturing will help UAF offer more scholarships and expand access to educational opportunities that help attract and retain talent in our industry. We thank Michael and his team for recognizing the importance of the UAF mission to the future of the aftermarket.”
The University of the Aftermarket Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. To learn more about the foundation, apply for a scholarship or grant, or make a donation, visit
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By Counterman
The Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA) has selected Ken Wendling, retired from Standard Motor Products and living in Chesaning, Michigan, as the recipient of its 2023 MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Created in 2010, the MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award was created to honor the excellence of individuals in the automotive aftermarket 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 in Michigan and made accomplishments within their local community.
Wendling has been a longtime member of MAPA and made sure Standard Motor Products (SMP) had input with this organization, which is committed to ongoing training for all industry professionals at every level. Wendling always made sure to sponsor and attend MAPA Industry Day.
Over the years, Wendling helped recruit big names to sit on MAPA Industry Day panels, such as Eric Sills, president and CEO of SMP. When asked to be on the panel, Wendling always indicated he would find someone more qualified than himself.
Teaching the Next Generation
Early in his career, Wendling taught an automotive class at a local high school for apprentice techs and was a frequent automotive radio-show guest, helping callers to diagnose his/her automotive problem and guide them down the correct “do-it-yourself” repair path.
In addition to his sales territory, Wendling 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 launched in Lansing, Michigan.
When hiring employees, Wendling spent two weeks with each employee giving the new hire his undivided attention teaching them about the industry, SMP and the technical side of the business.
Wendling had everything in his office that you would find today in a company training department: cut-away samples of product, tools and more. Employees often completed hands-on training in his driveway on one of his or his neighbor’s cars. Once in a while, they would work on a neighbor’s farm tractor.
Wendling often states he is proud of the fact that he completed, in one year, more technician seminars than anyone at SMP – 81. These were all technician classes conducted in the evenings on top of his regular territory-manager responsibilities.
Wendling spearheaded the Auto Wares Tech Expo “Jeopardy” and “Top Gun” contests for many years, writing much of the material and hosting as Alex Trebek.
Keeping Things Cool
Wendling was known for performing hands-on air-conditioning check lanes, often starting at 7 a.m. and not finishing until after 8 p.m.
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 in 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. If the cars needed more service, he would have a deal set up with local repair facilities to perform the more major work at a discount. In Michigan, these check lanes are legendary, MAPA says.
Illustrious Career at SMP
As soon as Wendling was old enough to hold a wrench, he started working on bicycles, and then minibikes, snowmobiles, motorcycles and cars. While still in school, he started work in the automotive aftermarket at Gold & Sons Automotive. After a few years, David Gold’s father asked Wendling to manage Gold & Sons Automotive Parts Store.
Wendling started at SMP in June 1980 during the start of the automobile electronic revolution with electronic ignition, computers and small lightweight automotive air-conditioning systems with different types of refrigerant. While a territory sales manager, Ken was named Territory Manager of the Year for five of his eight 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 eight times.
In 2006, Wendling became regional sales manager for the eastern 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 Wendling retired in 2018, he continued with special projects for the company until 2021.
Wendling served SMP for 41 years.
Wendling always managed “hands-on” and never was 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. He helped Standard Motor Products make relevant, “real-world” decisions. There was not an industry event that he did not attend, MAPA says.
He 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.
Wendling is a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus, working for the organization on many fundraising projects. Since retirement, he helped to completely renovate St. Michael’s Catholic Church, his home parish.
Since retirement, Wendling 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, Wendling also has been driving tractors or whatever is needed on family farms.
On Sept. 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian devastated southwest Florida. With a truck load of tools, he and his wife, Shirley, headed to Florida and helped many homeowners rebuild. They did everything from drywall, electrical and plumbing to hauling many truckloads of debris to the scrap yard.
A Family Man
Ken and Shirley Wendling live in Chesaning, Michigan, and have two children and two grandchildren. Their son, Jason, also is in the automotive business and is the lead salesman at a GM dealership. Their 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 Wendling is a lifelong member of St Michael’s Catholic Church, Maple Grove, and was an altar 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.
Ken and Jason love to snowmobile in the winter, and summer is Harley-riding time. Motorcycling is a family affair. Today, you’ll most likely find Ken and Shirley Wendling sitting in the bleachers (sometimes three to four 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 Wendling 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 Wendling during MAPA Industry Day 2023 on Wed., Sept. 13, at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West hotel in Lansing, Michigan. Rich Violette and Darrell Liddell will present the award.
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By Counterman
Photo caption, left to right: Russell McCaffery, dean of Transportation Programs at Broward College; Jim DeChant, major gift officer; Rashunn Humphrey, Broward College student; Elisabeth Eisleben, president of Advance Auto Parts Foundation; and Anthea Pennant, associate vice president of advancement services at Broward College
Advance Auto Parts Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Advance Auto Parts, announced a $300,000 gift to Broward College aimed at increasing participation in the school’s automotive technology program, as well as providing needed tools and equipment to support student learning.
Starting this fall, the Advance Auto Parts Foundation’s gift will help 10 students enrolling in the automotive technology program over the next two years by funding $5,000 scholarships for each student to offset educational expenses. The scholarships will be supplemented by a separate stipend for each selected scholarship recipient, which will help cover the costs of tools and toolboxes needed to complete their coursework.
The Advance Auto Parts Foundation gift also will support a dedicated, part-time recruiter at Broward College to help build enrollment for automotive technology programs and the purchase of general-use vehicles, equipment and supplies needed to support student studies.
“The Advance Auto Parts Foundation is committed to raising awareness, attracting talent and enabling career opportunities in the automotive technology field,” said Elisabeth Eisleben, president, Advance Auto Parts Foundation. “By providing resources and support to Broward College, we hope to inspire students from all backgrounds and experiences to explore careers in automotive service and repair, which will help address the technician shortage and benefit our industry and society as a whole.”
The partnership comes at a critical time as the United States currently faces a worsening shortage of automotive technicians. In fact, according to TechForce, the nation could see a shortage of 642,000 technicians by 2024, if trends continue.
“Advance Auto Parts Foundation’s generous gift of $300,000 will uplift our students in our automotive technology program, providing them with incredible opportunities,” said Gregory Adam Haile, Broward College president. “A donation like this changes lives. With access to scholarships and resources we are empowering our students and preparing them for success by positioning them in careers that fuel our economy.”
Automotive-technician jobs offer competitive pay and the satisfaction of helping customers get their vehicles back on the road safely. The Broward College gift stands as the Advance Auto Parts Foundation’s second gift to a community college to support the expansion of automotive-technology degree programs.
“This donation will enable us to grow our program by recruiting more students, as well as provide our students with more financial aid, tools and vehicles for our hands-on learning model,” said Russell McCaffery, dean, Broward College Transportation Programs. “Upon graduation, our alumni are ready for employment. South Florida offers a competitive starting salary in the industry with room for growth and there is a great need to fill automotive technician positions.”
Broward College offers an associate of applied science (AAS) in automotive technology degree program and a master technical program for current ASE-certified technicians who can apply their work experience toward an AAS degree.
The automotive technology program provides a highly technical, interactive approach to learning that prepares students for the rapidly changing automotive services industry. It is designed to help students train to be qualified automotive technicians, prepare for immediate employment upon graduation and receive the necessary coursework to pursue automotive service management positions in the future. In the past five years, more than 200 students have graduated from the program.
For more information, visit
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By Counterman
The University of the Aftermarket, through Northwood University, is accepting registration for online courses for automotive-industry professionals to earn continuing-education units to obtain special industry designations.
“Our Distance Education program offers in-depth, semester-long business skills classes taught by Northwood University faculty,” said Thomas Litzinger, executive director of the University of the Aftermarket. “We collaborate with companies, associations, and groups throughout the motor vehicle aftermarket to create custom industry-specific educational programs.”
The CEUs can be used toward AAP, ACP and MAAP designations, and translate into college credits toward an associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree.
“Northwood University and the University of the Aftermarket recently enhanced our ACP, AAP and MAAP designations, and we are introducing a SPAAP designation,” Litzinger stated. “Our industry designations are designed to promote continuous education within the automotive industry and to recognize professionals who are committed to personal and professional growth.”
SPAAP is designed for industry executives who want to take the next step in their educational journey by participating in rigorous master’s-level coursework.
“Our SPAAP will set the new standard for excellence in education for our industry and will be highly sought after by leading executives,” Litzinger added. “The development of our SPAAP designation indicates the University of the Aftermarket’s dedication to the Automotive Aftermarket, to continuous education and to the empowerment of the human condition.”
The University of Aftermarket, through Northwood University, provides a number of online classes for industry professionals, including:
Strategic sales and marketing Heavy-duty parts and service marketing Aftermarket field sales management Business law Principles of management Organizational behavior Business productivity software Principals of marketing Selling & sales management Consumer behavior World culture and customs The culture of leadership For more information, visit
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