April 23, 2013—This year’s Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) will feature an interactive panel discussion titled “Future Leaders Speak Out.”
The discussion will feature automotive educators along with current and recent graduates, including recipients of a GAAS scholarship.
Larry Silvey, assistant professor and chair of aftermarket management at Northwood University in West Palm Beach, Fla., will moderate the panel, which he said will demonstrate the passion that young people have for the automotive aftermarket, as well as challenges that they face.
"This segment highlights the expected and not-so-expected views of current students including GAAS scholarship recipients," said Silvey. "If you’re looking to find out what these students and new grads think about some of the longstanding problems that industry veterans have struggled with for years, this is a must-see session."
Tom Grothous, academic dean at the University of Northwestern Ohio, College of Applied Technologies, will represent the academic community.
Speaking for former students and GAAS scholarship recipients are Chuck Grospitch, technical sales and inside sales for Hawk Performance, and Jim Lucas, director of new product development for Dorman Products. Current student representatives from Northwood University will be junior Alex DeYoung and graduating senior Victor George.
This year’s GAAS event will take place May 21-22 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare near Chicago. The event is co-located with the Aftermarket eForum, which is schedule for May 22-23.
