AMN Drivetime

After an extensive aftermarket career working in parts stores, machine shops and with major aftermarket suppliers, Steve Tucker, who was named president of Automotive Parts Associates (APA) in February of 2021, describes moving to the program group side of the business as a “shock.” “You spend a lot of time in this business, and you think you know everything, and then, you switch gears and find ou...

A native of “Honeymoon City” Niagara Falls, New York, Charles Harris began his aftermarket career after graduating with degrees in both Business and Marketing from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. An experienced sales executive, Harris has spent more than 30 years in the automotive aftermarket, holding executive management roles at such well-known names as Tenneco, Monroe, TMD Friction a...

AMN Drivetime with NGK’s Brian Norko: Identify the Need, Provide the Solution [Podcast] When Brian Norko, senior vice president - commercial business operations, NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) Inc., interviewed for the management trainee program at Federal-Mogul, he says he “didn't know anything about manufacturing and … wasn't a car enthusiast.” That didn’t slow him down when it came to carving out an...

AASA’s Paul McCarthy: It’s Easy When It’s Something You Care About In this latest episode of AMN Drivetime with Babcox Media CEO Bill Babcox, AASA’s Paul McCarthy discusses a range of topics from first jobs to Biden administration policies affecting the aftermarket. In this latest episode of AMN Drivetime with Babcox Media CEO Bill Babcox, we hear from Paul McCarthy, president and CEO of the Autom...

NA Williams’ Roger McCollum On Roles And Responsibility Roger McCollum, chairman and CEO of manufacturer’s rep firm NA Williams, began his long career in the automotive aftermarket at Ken Tool Co., in Akron, Ohio, where he served in a variety of sales and management positions, eventually advancing to national sales manager. He joined N.A. Williams Company in 1984 and currently serves as chairman a...

For Dave Marsh, turning personal strengths into something of value as a professional is what has guided him in his 32-year career with General Motors. In his current role as Executive Director for North America, Marsh handles Customer Care and Aftersales for ACDelco in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. In this episode of AMN Drivetime hosted by Babcox Media CEO Bill Babcox, Marsh shares some of the wis...

Returning from the first in-person AAPEX since 2019, AMN Drivetime host Bill Babcox sits down with Vange Proimos, CEO of AP Emissions, to talk about his journey from technician and shop owner to leading a privately owned, family run business. A well-known industry advocate for many years, it was Proimos’ experience as a technician and shop owner that has informed much of his success as business ow...

In this edition of AMN Drivetime with Bill Babcox, Bill sits down with the MEMA President and CEO to share not only the key mantras he lives by but some incredible memories (and photos!) from his career that spans 30 years in manufacturing, racing and association leadership.

In this episode of AMN Drivetime, Sue Godschalk, president of Federated Auto Parts, shares her journey being included in the founding of one of the nation's leading program distribution groups – Federated Auto Parts, which was established in the mid-1980s. Having worked with several icons of the industry - Art Fisher, Rusty Bishop and Larry Pavey - Godschalk says the invaluable lessons learned wor...

In this rich and candid conversation, Hanvey not only shares a little bit about the leaders and mentors who "took a chance" on him at the start of his career but also his most memorable career highlight, sitting down with President George W. Bush.

Kevin Judge, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at NTN Bearing, started his journey in the industry without even knowing what a shock absorber was. With the help of his mentors and connections within the industry, Judge was able to work his way up and gain experience that he can now share with young professionals. In episode 6 of the AMN Drivetime Podcast with Bill Babcox, Judge shares this ind...

From a part-time auto parts delivery driver to leading one of the automotive aftermarket's biggest program groups today, Larry Pavey, CEO of The Group, takes us through his history in the industry in this episode of AMN Drivetime with Bill Babcox.

One might think working at Porsche would be the pinnacle of any car lover's career, however Eric Steinbecher, president Automotive Aftermarket - Americas, Scheffler, says it is the automotive aftermarket that he wishes he had found sooner. "Everyone who works in the aftermarket knows that you get addicted – addicted to the industry and to the people," Steinbecher said during his conversation with...

Jim Franco, CEO of Autologue Computer Systems, knew at a very young age that he wanted more out of life. Entering the workforce at age 11, he made money mowing lawns, washing windows and delivering newspapers. In episode 4 of the AMN Drivetime Podcast with Bill Babcox, Franco tells Bill by getting that early start, he was able to pay cash to buy his very own first car at age 15 – a hot rod that ne...

Babcox Media CEO Bill Babcox sits down with one of the aftermarket's key leaders – who also just happens to be one of industry's best storytellers – John R. Washbish, president and CEO of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance.

In episode 2 of AMN Drivetime, Babcox Media CEO Bill Babcox talks with industry icon Kathleen Schmatz. The two longtime friends and colleagues chat about Schmatz's remarkable career, with her beginnings writing press releases on a typewriter to eventually leading one of the nation's leading trade associations.

In this inaugural episode of AMN Drivetime, Babcox Media CEO Bill Babcox talks with six-time NHRA world champion about his career trajectory from the Kroger warehouse driving forklifts to drag racing, his most meaningful race, "Your Car. Your Data. Your Choice," and how he stays fit at 55.