Twenty-seven heavy-duty aftermarket professionals gathered at Northwood University for the third-annual Heavy Duty Leadership education conference, Aug. 3-8. Heavy Duty Leadership is a week-long leadership development program specifically designed for professionals working in the North American commercial vehicle aftermarket. Students in the year’s class represented a wide range of heavy-duty aftermarket job functions and geographies and immersed themselves deeply into understanding the nuances of the business of their chosen field.
“This was a week to work on the business, rather than in it,” said Steve Goggins of Caterpillar. “I enjoyed the sessions as much as getting to know my classmates. We spent a lot of time – even after hours – talking about leadership, the industry and the challenges we all face on a daily basis.”
Participants in this year’s class included:
Bob Angliss AxleTech International
Paul Boggeman Plaza Fleet Parts
Kevin Bouder Navistar
Joseph Boydstun MTP Drivetrain Services
Casey Brannigan Advance Autoparts
Thomas Braun Royal Purple
Curtis Burdick Attica Auto Supply/CARQUEST
Brian Burns Great Dane Trailers
Randy George Betts Company
Steven Goggins Caterpillar Inc
Steve Hansen Minimizer
Brian Jungmann SKF USA Inc.
Mark Kostecki Gates Corporation
Daniel Lewis Commercial Vehicle Group Inc.
Sam Marco Meritor
Kenyatta Matlock SKF USA Inc.
Thomas Muck The Timken Co.
Cynthia Norris AxleTech International
Nikki Paschall HDA Truck Pride
Steve Plomin ORAFOL Americas
Andrew Purcell Stone Truck Parts
Steven Quiet Sanel Auto Parts
Jaime Rogan VIPAR Heavy Duty
Timothy Sayers The Marx Group
Sharon Schafer FleetPride
David Shapiro SRS Marketing Company
Cameron Van Steenburgh Quinte Truck & Trailer Parts
“This is the third Heavy Duty Leadership program we’ve held, and each year the class size increases,” said University of the Aftermarket Director Brian Cruickshank, MAAP. “Obviously, the commercial vehicle aftermarket needs this kind of program, and we are pleased that this is turning into an annual event.”
The program opened on Sunday night at the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies with a keynote presentation from AxleTech Vice President and General Manager Joe Mejaly. He spoke to the class about his view of career management and leadership in the commercial vehicle aftermarket. The week included other leadership and industry-focused sessions from faculty drawn from Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School of Management and the heavy-duty aftermarket industry.
“I really enjoyed hearing the different perspectives from around the industry and from different competitors and customers. The diversity of the class really added to the experience,” added Paul Boggeman of Plaza Fleet Parts.
“For me,” echoed HDA Truck Pride’s Nikki Paschall, “it was important to hear different opinions from suppliers as well as our HDA Truck Pride members and non-members.”
Graduates earned 3.5 continuing education units that can be applied toward their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations. To learn more about Heavy Duty Leadership and other University of the Aftermarket programs, call 1-800-551-2882, visit www.universityoftheaftermarket.com.
