AMN Drivetime

In this episode of DriveTime, David Stewart, VP Sales and Marketing, Wells Vehicle Electronics, talks about the company's new branding initiative, and how he plans to re-introduce Wells to the aftermarket. Reintroducing a Legacy Brand Stewart said his passion has been to bring the Wells Vehicle Electronics brand to the forefront for technicians and distributors. Some of younger generation may not...

In this episode of DriveTime, Jason Rainey, VP of Auto Care, NAPA Auto Parts, discusses the recent NAPA NOW event and the NAPA Auto Care Center program. He also explains what it takes to become a NAPA Gold-Certified shop. Rainey described the NAPA NOW event as an educational experience. “So, the thing that I really have liked about this event is it’s truly something you just have to experience. I’...

In this episode of DriveTime, Randy Breaux, Group President, GPC North America, discusses the four key tenets necesssary for business success and high-performance team building. They are vision, strategy, structure and culture. “With regard to our vision, we created a new vision and that was to be the trusted provider of automotive parts and solutions. And that remains the vision. And it’s very si...

In this episode of DriveTime , Pete Proimos, founder of the Filotimo Foundation, discusses his former aftermarket career at AP Emissions Technologies and the next facet of his life that supports cystic fibrosis. After Pete finished college, briefly attended law school and quickly realized that career wasn’t for him, his father Vange advised him to work in the company’s distribution center. Pete wo...

In this episode of DriveTime , Matt Fowler, Chairman of the Young Auto Care Network (YANG) and Account Executive at Ubisense, discusses his background in digital assets and then delves into his sales role at Ubisense, which uncovers hidden process data via its tracking technology to boost company productivity. Fowler says the most interesting, coolest thing about the aftermarket is that it is a ve...

In this episode of DriveTime, Brad Beckham, CEO of O’Reilly Auto Parts, discusses how he got into the business at 17 years old, sweeping floors and putting up stock in an O’Reilly Auto Parts store in Oklahoma. It was 1996 and, at that time, O’Reilly had less than 200 stores. Over time working in that store, he became a parts specialist and still remembers the 16 feet of paper catalog racks on the...

In this episode of DriveTime, as the VISION conference kicked off in Chicago, Bill Long, president and CEO of MEMA , The Vehicle Suppliers Association, and Paul McCarthy, president of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers , addressed supplier sentiment about the current state of the aftermarket, describing it as a mix of urgency and cautious optimism. Industry leaders agree there’s never been a more critical...

In this episode of DriveTime, Russ Stebbins, VP and GM, North American Aftermarket at PHINIA, talks about the company’s vision to lead the transformation toward a sustainable, carbon-free future in the automotive aftermarket. The company has historically focused on internal combustion engine (ICE) solutions. It is now actively advancing new initiatives to support the industry’s shift toward sustai...

In this episode of DriveTime, JC Washbish discusses the familiarity of the Washbish name, the esteemed aftermarket heritage that goes along with it and how he got started in the industry. JC comes from a long lineage in the automotive aftermarket, proudly being the fourth generation involved in the business. His career in the automotive aftermarket began at NGK Spark Plugs, where he managed distri...

In this episode of Drivetime , Sethi highlights NexaMotion Group’s mission to simplify complex vehicle repair and support the broader industry through innovation. At the heart of NMG’s strategy are its core values—commitment, humility, optimism, integrity and respect—which are deeply ingrained in the company’s culture and operations. This commitment to values is reflected in its continuous efforts...

In this episode of  Drivetime , Sopariwala describes how DRiV , the aftermarket division of Tenneco, is focused on making bold, innovative moves within the automotive aftermarket. A prime example of this is the company’s implementation of cutting-edge automation technology at its AutoStore facility in Smyrna, Tennessee, DRiV’s largest distribution center for the U.S. and Canada. The facility utili...

In this episode of Drivetime , Marco Faulenbach, senior vice president, aftermarket Americas, MANN+HUMME L delves into how the company has established itself as a leader in filtration. With an emphasis on advanced engineering, R&D and innovation, MANN+HUMMEL invests heavily in the development of filtration media. Through its global production facilities, MANN+HUMMEL produces 32 filters every s...

In this episode of  Drivetime , Shane O’Kelly, president and CEO of Advance Auto Parts , discusses several key strategic moves for the company, most notably the sale of Worldpac and the continuing importance of the Carquest brand. The decision to divest Worldpac allows Advance to focus more directly on its “blended box” strategy, which targets both DIY and professional customers, O’Kelly explained...

In this episode of Drivetime , John Treece, president and CEO of DMA Industries LLC , credits his company’s exponential growth over the last 10 years to his management team and the group of associates who work there. “It takes a collaborative, strong leadership team and everybody being on the same page and focused around the customer,” Treece said. “Our differentiator is being a flexible, nimble c...

For Mark Stewart, becoming CEO and President of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was a lifetime dream realized. Stewart grew up with his father working at the Dunlop Tire plant (owned by Goodyear) and spent his afternoons after school in his grandfather’s repair shop surrounded by the car parts he now helps create and sell. “I got a call from Goodyear more than a year and a half ago now. I’v...

In this episode of Drivetime , Dr. Christian Dickopf, senior vice president, Corteco Division at Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies, shared his perspective on the evolving automotive aftermarket industry and the essential factors for career success. With more than 18 years of experience at Freudenberg Group, Corteco’s parent company, his journey from product development to leadership underscores...

In this episode of Drivetime, we welcome Jayme Farina, Executive Vice President at AP Emissions , to share his career journey and insights into the automotive aftermarket industry. Farina reflects on his upbringing in West Texas, his education at Texas Tech and how he was introduced to the industry. He talks about his early career experiences, highlighting the importance of mentorship and how guid...

Gideon Williams remembers his entrance into the aftermarket world, initially viewing it as a lucky accident. Since then, he has risen to head the Aftermarket Division at Revolution Parts. His experience, he noted, has given him a bird’s-eye view of the industry, which he describes as a blend of “blue-collar grit and white-collar strategy, driven by technology” and a relentless focus on innovation....

Success in the automotive aftermarket often stems from humble beginnings and a deep understanding of the industry. Mike Fiorito, the current Director of KYB Americas, exemplifies this journey. His career in the aftermarket began unexpectedly when he took a job as a production and inventory controller at Edelman after graduating from college. Although his background was in marketing, this role prov...

Roger McCollum is in his first year as chairman of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation . The veteran aftermarket industry executive was elected as chairman in November of 2023, replacing longtime chair Bob Egan, who transitioned to the role of chairman emeritus. Before becoming chairman at UAF, McCollum spent more than three decades with N.A. Williams in a number of roles. He was named vi...

Growing up in South Louisiana, Randy Breaux started working young, inspired by his machinist father and grandfather. His formal career began after college, spending 26 years in manufacturing, with 21 of those at Baldor Electric Company. Following its acquisition by a European firm in 2011, he transitioned to the distribution side, joining Motion, a division of Genuine Parts Company. At Motion, Bre...

For Mike Mohler, it all began in Monroe, Louisiana, where he worked for his father, Ray. Throughout high school and college, he honed his skills at the family’s warehouse distribution center, mastering tasks like loading trucks, receiving stock, and managing the will-call counter. Graduating from high school in 1984 and college in 1989, Mohler gained a thorough understanding of how a warehouse dis...

Cal Ganda’s path from Zimbabwe to leading aftermarket distribution at Continental’s ContiTech Group is a testament to seizing opportunities and embracing change. Arriving in the U.S. in 1998 for university, he ventured into food manufacturing post-graduation before diving into consulting. A chance encounter with Continental during a consulting project in Mexico led Cal to discover an opportunity i...

Grace Hovis's journey in the family business, Hovis Auto and Truck Supply, highlights the balance between honoring tradition and seeking innovation. Founded in 1952, Hovis Auto and Truck Supply Inc. has evolved from a small operation into a major player in the automotive parts distribution space. This evolution was fueled by a willingness to adapt and innovate, a lesson Grace learned from an early...

As MEMA commemorates its 120th anniversary, it's an opportunity to reflect on the organization's profound impact on the automotive aftermarket industry. Founded on March 2, 1904, MEMA has evolved from a modest gathering of parts manufacturers in Cleveland, to a pivotal force in the global automotive landscape. In this episode of AMN Drivetime, sponsored by AISIN , Bill Long, president and chief ex...