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Honoring Barry’s Involvement in Michigan’s Automotive Aftermarket for Over 55 Years. Thank You Barry!
Barry Hill 2014 MAPA Lifetime Service Award (Presented by 2014 MAPA Chairman, Mike Tabaka - September 10, 2014)
Created in 2010, the MAPA Lifetime Service Award is to honor the excellence of individuals in the industry who have made a significant impact in the industry. This year we are proud to present MAPA’s Lifetime Service Award to Barry Hill, Vice-President of Auto-Wares Group of Companies in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
We would like to share with you a little about Barry Hill …
Barry was born in Jackson, Michigan in 1945.
He started working at the age of 13 while going to school at his Father’s & Uncle’s businesses called Tri-State Automotive Warehouse & Hill Piston which began the 3rd generation of Hills in the Automotive Aftermarket. Tri-State & Hill Piston consisted of 1 Warehouse, 13 Stores and a Data Center.
Upon Graduation from High School, Barry continued his education at Western Michigan University where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. While attending College, Barry was also the President of Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity.
Upon Graduation in 1968 - being the son of WWII fighter pilot Bill Hill, Barry enlisted in the Armed Forces and was admitted to Officer Candidate Training School. Upon completing his training he became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army during the height of the Vietnam War. When asked where he would like to serve he volunteered for Vietnam as an Artillery Forward Observer. He had the responsibility for spotting the enemy and directing offensive fire toward them, calling for more support when his company was under fire and most importantly in those pre-GPS days, making sure the company knew where it was. While serving our country Barry was awarded 2 Bronze Stars.
Upon discharge from the Army in 1971, he returned home to operate one of the family businesses. He ran the computer center, which did all the processing for the Hill's 13 jobbing stores and warehouse.
Tri-State Automotive Warehouse & Hill Piston was Auto-Wares very 1st Acquisition in 1981. The data center was merged into the early years of their IT department and when that transition took place, Barry became a WD Salesman for Auto-Wares. Sales worked out great for Barry - his business tripled and he became the first recipient of the Salesman of the Year award. In 1991 he became General Manager & Sales Manager of Coldwater, in 1997 General Operations Manager of Grand Rapids, Flint, Traverse City, Livonia, South Bend and later Madison, Chicago and Gaylord. In 1997 he became a stockholder, and in 2003 he was named President of Auto-Wares.
Barry has donated his spare time to several organizations including: APW Steering Committee, he served as Chairman of the City of Hillsdale Economic Development Commission, President of the Up North Club, Past President of the Optimist Club of Hillsdale, Past President of the Hillsdale County Community Foundation and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Barry also established the WR Hill Memorial Scholarship for Auto-Wares employees.
Barry’s personal interests include most anything outside, Hunting, Boating, Fishing and Biking.
Barry has set an example for us all to follow both personally and professionally. Everyone who has had the privilege of knowing Barry also knows the warm individual and caring person he is.
Barry currently lives in Hillsdale, has been married for 24 years to his wife Karen; has 2 step children, 4 daughters, and 8 Grand Children.
MAPA would like to thank Barry for his hard work, dedication, and support of our industry – he has represented us all well!
Congratulations Barry, for 55 Years in the Automotive Aftermarket as for receiving the 2014 MAPA Lifetime Service Award.
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