In the photo above Chris Pacey, Sarah Shelstrom, Katina Wall, and Kyle Byrne.

The Auto Care Association’s 2017 Impact Award: Four for the Future,  annually honors four aftermarket professionals, age 40 or younger, who have made remarkable contributions to the auto care industry. The award was created in 2010 and is administered by the Auto Care Association Marketing and Communications Committee on behalf of the association, with support from the Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG).

The 2017 honorees:

Kyle Byrne, AAP, vice president, distribution, The Merrill Company, is passionate about the auto care industry. He is actively involved in YANG and has taken advantage of continuing education opportunities and networking. As part of the Merrill Company 90th anniversary celebration in April 2017, Byrne was instrumental in the creation and development of their parts distribution story.

Chris Pacey, vice president and general manager, National Performance Warehouse, started in the auto care industry and his family business at age 13. He has been passionate and working in the industry ever since. During his tenure at the executive level, National Performance Warehouse has tripled in size. In addition to the growth of NPW, Pacey is active in the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) and YANG.

Sarah Shelstrom, director of media and public relations, Integrated Supply Network (ISN), is a very successful and active member of the industry. She is the Marketing Chair for Women in Auto Care, sits on the Tool and Equipment committee for the Auto Care Association and is a member of YANG.  In her 14 years serving the automotive aftermarket, she has made her mark on the T&E segment serving as publisher for two trade magazines and now consistently delivering sales growth through effective marketing campaigns with strategic vendor partners at ISN.

Katina Wall, director of marketing, STP at Spectrum Brands, has driven innovation at the company. Recently, she executed a marketing campaign that drove three points of share growth and won a silver Effie Award for TV advertising. Wall’s love for the industry and technical experience make an impact both within and outside of her company.

Talking Points:

• May great job opportunities in the industry at all levels for every type of job.
• Finding the right fit for the job is a challenge for these leaders.
• There are so many opportunities in the industry that need to be exposed.
• YANG has a mentor program.
• All channels are changing because of new technologies and ways to do business.
  • You must figure out how to play in the new ‘space’.
  • Competition is changing form.
• Drivers must become more tech savvy and new recruits to the industry must be all about tech.
• Trends:
  • Keeping up to date on technology
  • Strength in relationships helps awareness of national and regional trends.
  • Aging vehicle population. Almost 12 years today.
  • New vehicle sales growth.
  • Big opportunity for aftermarket sales.

About YANG
The auto care industry’s dynamic and vibrant under-40 set finds its home with the Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG). YANG provides young auto care professionals in their twenties and thirties the opportunity to network with industry peers, enhance knowledge and improve leadership capabilities.

The Young Auto Care Network was formed in January 2014 with a desire to help young professionals establish a circle of peers to grow with alongside their careers. YANG participants are future executive-level staffers of the auto care industry that see the value in establishing connections with other young professionals that will one day be business owners and key decision makers.

Events of YANG include functions featuring industry leaders, professional development webinars, education seminars with guest speakers and networking events – all of which aim to build networks, professional development and career development.

Autocare Website

Yang Website

About the Auto Care Association

The Auto Care Association is a Bethesda, Md.-based association whose nearly 3,000 member companies represent approximately 150,000 independent businesses that manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, tools, equipment, materials, supplies and perform vehicle service and repair. Visit www.autocare.org.

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