Auto Care Announces 2024 Industry Award Winners for Excellence in Education

BETHESDA, Md. - Sept. 11, 2024 - The Auto Care Association recently announced the winners of its annual awards recognizing excellence within the industry through education and innovation. The awards were announced last week during the association's Fall Leadership Days event in Baltimore, Md., and included the 2024 Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award and the Auto Care Education (ACE) Award.

2024 Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award Winner

The Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award is annually given to an individual who demonstrates a passion for advancing the concepts and programs for education and continuing education in the North American auto care industry.

Jillian Weishaar is a distinguished and award-winning education manager and diversity and inclusion advocate, whose career spans over two decades in the corporate retail sector. In 2020, she took on the newly established leadership role of Manager of Education and Diversity and Inclusion at Parts Authority. As the first professional to hold this position, Jillian has been instrumental in shaping and leading the company's education and DEI initiatives, making a lasting impact on both the organization and the industry.

In 2023 alone, Jillian's efforts resulted in the delivery of 46,000 hours of training through various modes, including the LMS, live virtual sessions, and in-person training. This impressive accomplishment highlights her commitment to making education accessible and impactful for a diverse audience.

Jillian's dedication to education and inclusion is also evidenced by her active involvement in the Auto Care Association's Education Committee, her certification in Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace from the ESSEC Business School, her extensive training in cultural competence, confronting bias, and inclusive leadership, and her spearheading of multiple initiatives.


2024 Auto Care Education (ACE) Award Winners

The ACE (Auto Care Career and Education) Award recognizes auto care companies dedicated to excellence in education, including investing in the growth of knowledge and skills within their organization and/or throughout the industry.

Small Company category winner: Roberston Automotive

Robertson Automotive located in Tyler, Texas, has

provided its local market and surrounding communities with personal service and quality auto repair

since 1992. As a team, the company capitalizes on every educational opportunity it is presented with, whether that is an after-hours class in the evenings, a lunch-and-learn with a vendor or online training through Group Training Academy or ATG (Automotive Training Group). Robertson Automotive takes pride in the fact that all of its technicians are ASE-trained and certified to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction and expert service. In addition to keeping up with ASE training and certification, team members completed a required amount of training each quarter. The company believes investment in their technicians is key to their success and the success of their team as a whole. With the ever-progressive changes being made in the automotive industry, the company finds that staying on top of education is imperative to keeping up with the industry.

Mid-size Company category winner: Mevotech

Mevotech is committed to creating educational and professional development opportunities that enhance the expertise, abilities, and overall job satisfaction of both their team members and industry professionals. The company's internal training initiatives include: MevoUniversity, a comprehensive learning platform for employees; the LEAD Program for leadership development; the Next Generation Program; and "UnstoppabElle." Beyond its walls, the company extends learning through the Mevotech Training Portal, engaging instructional videos, their comprehensive media hub, an informative YouTube channel, interactive Train-the-Trainer sessions, and the hands-on MevoMobile experience, their mobile classroom program. By investing in education, the company has seen a rise in both engagement and commitment, internally and externally. Mevotech believes that investing in people and education has played an important role in its success and growth as a company.

Large Company category winner: Automotive Parts Headquarters, Inc.

Automotive Parts Headquarters, Inc. (APH) is committed to its Core Value: The company enhances its performance through learning and innovation; and is only satisfied with constant improvement. This is demonstrated through its comprehensive education strategy, designed to support employee development, increase job skills, and offer leadership growth opportunities while meeting the needs of diverse learning styles. This includes customized programs for onboarding, career pathing, and professional development. Notable educational initiatives include: essential and job skills training; product training; Heavy Duty Training; Manager 101 Training program; Manager Trainee program; and a Monthly Training Video. APH offers a blended learning approach, offering online, instructor-led, and virtual training courses. Additionally, APH organizes annual virtual and in-person conferences for leaders throughout the organization. its investment in education, Automotive Parts Headquarters, Inc. has seen improved employee performance, engagement and organizational execution as well as leadership continuity and an overall elevated employee experience.

To learn more about the Auto Care Association's annual scholarships, awards and other industry recognition opportunities currently open, visit autocare.org/awards.