Dec. 20, 2013—Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) announced Thursday that it named J. Richard Fairbanks, president and owner of Orleans Auto Supply in Hyannis, Mass., as its new chairman at the AWDA Annual Business and Education Conference in Las Vegas.

AWDA, a major segment of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), is a national resource for distributors of parts and supplies to the auto care industry.

“The distributor members of AWDA take the inventory risks and perform daily logistical miracles to keep our nation’s cars and trucks moving so motorists can keep their lives moving,” said Fairbanks.

Prior to being named AWDA chairman, Fairbanks served for several years on the AWDA board of governors, including a recent term as vice chairman. In 1997, he was appointed to the AAIA Automotive Committee and served as co-chair in 1998. In 1999, he was appointed to the executive committee of the AAIA board of directors.