The Manufacturers’ Representatives Council, a community of the Auto Care Association, today announced TASCO’s Laura Waskey as this year’s University of the Aftermarket’s 2026-2027 Leadership 2.0 scholarship recipient.

Leadership 2.0 is the premier post-graduate style leadership and business skills education program designed to promote the development of the next generation of auto care leaders.  

Manufacturers’ Representatives 2026-2027 Leadership 2.0 Scholarship Recipient 
Laura Waskey is an account manager at TASCO Sales Reps in Raleigh, North Carolina. She has spent 27 years in the automotive industry: 19 years with TASCO Sales Reps and eight years at Advance Auto Parts. Waskey is on the Manufacturers’ Representative Council and is heavily involved in the Auto Care Association’s Women in Auto Care community.  

“In 1999, when I started working in the automotive aftermarket industry, I never imagined it would turn into my career,” said Waskey. “Obviously, we all need cars and parts to keep them going, but I also realized that the automotive industry is a community of amazing people. Being a woman in automotive was rare at that time. The first time I attended the Women in Auto Care conference, I was blown away by all the strong and talented women in this industry. It gave me so much inspiration to push myself to the next level. I’m so honored and excited to represent the Manufacturers’ Representatives Council at Leadership 2.0. This is an amazing opportunity to enhance my goal-setting and forecasting skills, to align team members, and to translate strategy into execution.” 

Developing Future Industry Leaders  

The Leadership 2.0 program is the automotive aftermarket industry's cornerstone educational program that fosters the development of a new generation of visionary auto care executives. Graduates of the program receive 7.0 CEUs toward their Automotive Aftermarket Profession (AAP) designations and Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations. The scholarship is valued at $6,650 and covers the price of tuition, class materials, and meals.  

Leadership 2.0 is comprised of two five-day sessions. Session I will be held Aug. 9-13, 2026, at the Northwood University campus in Midland, Michigan, and Session II will be held March 7-11, 2027, at a location to be announced.  

The Leadership 2.0 program is generously funded by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.  

For more information about the Manufacturers’ Representatives Community or how to find a member-approved Manufacturer Representative with our Rep Match Tool, visit the Manufacturers' Representatives webpage or contact Mary Ieng, manager, community engagement, Auto Care Association, at [email protected].