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Lansing, Michigan – The Michigan Automotive Parts Association announces the selection of Wayne Foote, CEO of B & W Auto Supply located in Portland, Michigan as recipient of its 2020-2021 MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Created in 2010, the MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award is designed to honor the excellence of individuals in the automotive aftermarket industry 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 industry in Michigan, and made accomplishments within his or her local community.

About Wayne. On November 1, 1961 Wayne Foote and his Uncle Bob Cook went into partnership to purchase Curtis Auto Supply in Portland, Michigan from Russel Curtis. They renamed the store B & W Auto Supply and operated from that location until they moved into a larger building across the street in 1963. Wayne and Bob continued to grow the business, however Bob decided to go onto other ventures and Wayne purchased Bob’s half of the business in 1970. At that point Wayne knew he could not operate the business on his own, so once again he asked for help from his wife Joan, whom he married in 1956. They came up with a plan that she could perform the office duties while their sons Randy and Greg were in school. Joan continued to run the bookkeeping for all stores until 2017. Even though Joan is not as active in the office now, she still plays a vital role in the bookkeeping side of the business operations.

In 1971 Wayne purchased Grand Ledge Auto Parts in Grand Ledge, Michigan. He saw this as an opportunity not only because of the auto parts business but this store included a machine shop and an auto body paint mixing business. In 1973 Wayne incorporated under the legal name Wayne’s B & W Auto Supply, Inc. Later in 1973 he purchased H & H Automotive in Ionia, Michigan. In 1986 Clinton Automotive was purchased and renamed St. Johns Auto Parts. This purchase included the auto parts business, a machine shop and radiator repair shop. In 1992 Perry Automotive was purchased and this store also included a machine shop. In the year 2000 Wayne saw a dramatically changing market in Ionia. He has always realized as a businessman there are going to be times when you have to make tough decisions. With much thought he decided to close the store in Ionia and concentrate his resources to the betterment of the other four stores. In 2012 Durand Auto Parts was purchased from General Auto Parts-CARQUEST.

Throughout Wayne’s 58 years of being involved in the automotive aftermarket he has always believed in these basic principles: Always be fair and honest to everyone; Be committed to service and high quality; Work hard; Have your stores be attractive, bright and welcoming; Make sure your employees are courteous and helpful; Be involved in your community.

Wayne not only believed in these principles, he has an impressive list to show how he has implemented them: He built the businesses to 5 locations with 45 employees; Built new stores in 4 locations: Portland in 1997, St. Johns in 2002, Grand Ledge in 2004, Durand in 2013. In 1997 he donated the previous Portland location building to the City of Portland so they would be able to build a new City Hall with an expanded parking lot; Member of MAPA for over 45 years; MAPA board member 2012-2017; CARQUEST Jobber of the Year 1987; City of Portland Business of the Year 2015; Dedicating his entire career giving his insight of the importance of the independent auto parts jobber to the local community. This includes staying in constant contact with suppliers at all levels, employees, customers and the community as a whole.

Wayne not only dedicated his life to the aftermarket, he is also very involved with the betterment of his community through many years of volunteer work which includes; Portland Jaycees member 1962-1972; Portland United Methodist Church Administrative Council Chairperson for 20 years as well as serving on various committee for many years; Portland Chamber of Commerce member for 58 years; Portland Chamber of Commerce President 1978; Board member for Maynard Allen State Bank and First Michigan Bank; Supporter of Portland Civic Players; Portland High School varsity football scoreboard operator since 1971; Consistent donations of both time and money to the many non-profit organizations within his community.

MAPA’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Wayne Foote during MAPA Industry Day 2021 being held on Wednesday, September 15^th, 2021 at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre in Flint, Michigan. (Postponed from MAPA Industry Day 2020 originally scheduled for September 16, 2020).

MAPA News

June 27, 2019

Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA) is pleased to announce the 2019-2020 Leadership 2.0 Program Scholarship through the University of the Aftermarket Foundation at Northwood University has been awarded to Daniel Hartman of Ross Automotive Supply of Lapeer located in Lapeer, Michigan.

“Having a goal for my future was not always a strong focus of mine. It is no surprise that most of these days I tended to walk blindly through life without a strong plan. Needless to say, in my life it took a major medical event to change my state of mind on this issue.

I have always had a strong mechanical and automotive background. My father retired as an ASE Certified Diesel and Automotive Technician after being in the industry for over 35 years. I myself had a background in many different retail settings. It wasn’t until I got a job at a big automotive retail chain that I truly enjoyed the Parts Sales Industry. Being young and naive I squandered the opportunity.

Recently I have returned to work within the automotive aftermarket industry again. I find myself wanting more knowledge and more information. I now have long term goals with my current employer. I really enjoy the work, the people, and the atmosphere of the job. I hope to move up through the company and advance my skills and retail parts knowledge. I feel an opportunity such as this Leadership 2.0 program scholarship is a great way to enhance my knowledge and skill set. Thank you for the opportunity!” - Daniel Hartman.

Leadership 2.0, now in its 25th year, is the industry’s premier leadership development program. It is designed for light vehicle aftermarket professionals in all market segments and job functions. Brian Cruickshank, Director of the University of the Aftermarket at Northwood University, provided ASAAA members with an opportunity to apply for one full $6,350 scholarship from the University of the Aftermarket Foundation which includes tuition, materials, and meals for the highly-acclaimed 2019-2020, 2-week Leadership 2.0 Program. Leadership 2.0 is conducted in 2 one-week sessions at Northwood University; Fall 2019 (August 11-16), Midland, MI and Spring 2020 (March 15-20), Raleigh, NC.

This scholarship is an exclusive offer to members of the Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA) through its affiliation with the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA). Scholarship recipients are selected by ASAAA’s Scholarship Committee from applications submitted by member state associations.

MAPA ANNOUNCES 2019 MAPA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENT GARY DEULING, OWNER-PRESIDENT HART AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY, HART, MICHIGAN

February 7, 2019 - The Michigan Automotive Parts Association is pleased to announce the selection of Gary Deuling, Owner and President of Hart Automotive Supply located in Hart, Michigan as recipient of its 2019 MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Created in 2010, the MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award is designed to honor the excellence of individuals in the automotive aftermarket industry 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 industry in Michigan, and made accomplishments within his or her local community.

Gary Deuling has exemplified a Lifetime commitment to the Automotive Aftermarket over the past 46 Years. Gary’s passion to stay involved and to give back to the Industry is unmatched. Gary invests most of his time supporting the success of the Independently Owned Automotive Parts Store Owner, Parts Manufactures and Warehouse Distributor, and he is proudly supported by Michigan Automotive Parts Association.

Gary started in the automotive business in 1973 as an Outside Salesperson for a 2 store NAPA Auto Parts owner. Gary was quickly promoted as a Store Manager in Fremont MI and advanced to Operation Manager for a 5 store NAPA Independent group in 1987. Gary became a business partner and owner and would assume full ownership of 2 stores located in Hart and Shelby, Michigan in 1993. Gary has been an active Auto Parts store owner and has been recognized from NAPA (National Automotive Association) awarded the Five Star Excellence for 6 years. The NAPA Five Star Award is excellence in Training, Marketing, Wholesale & Retail Growth and Community involvement. Gary has always been an industry leader and was one of the first parts stores to offer delivery service to wholesale accounts and opening 7 days a week to support his local market needs.

Gary’s commitment to “Giving Back” and involvement in both his community and the Aftermarket is extensive and includes; NAPA Business Advisory Boards in Heavy Duty, Advertising, Tools & Equipment, NAPA Auto Parts Independent Owner for 32 Years, Proudly Elected in 1995 to the MAPA Board of Directors, 21 Years Served on MAPA Board, Elected first board member to have served as Chairman for 2 terms, Newly Elected First Time Honorary Lifetime Board of Directors member, and Gary has made many visits to the Lansing State Capitol to advocate to the legislative regulators of the aftermarket.

Gary admits he has been diagnosed with “Terminal Raised Hand Disease”. He will not say NO! Gary has always cared beyond himself first. A genuine person that believes in God, family and Community first. Gary’s commitment to community includes; Fremont Chamber of Commerce Board, Co-Chair Fremont Old Fashion Days, Co-Chair Grant Summer Celebration, Chair First Street Car Show, Fremont Downtown Retailers Group, Shelby Chamber of Commerce, Advisory Board of the Automotive Newaygo County Career Tech Center, Newaygo County Compassion Home Fund Raiser, Trustee & Moderator of the First Congregational Church (just to name a few).

The MAPA Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Gary Deuling during MAPA Industry Day 2019 being held on Wednesday, September 11th at the Holiday Day Inn Gateway Centre in Flint, Michigan. Presenter of the award will be John Sedlecky, General Manager of NAPA Distribution Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan.