
Multi Parts Names SPARK 2018 Selectees
5th Annual Industry Immersion Brings Next Generation to AAPEX
October 1, 2018
Multi Parts today announced in this, the Spark initiative’s fifth year, the thirteen students who will attend the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (“AAPEX”) being held in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 29 – 31, 2018. This year’s selection process was hyper-focused on students who demonstrated interest in pursuing professional careers in the core business areas of the automotive aftermarket, including product development, marketing, sales, finance, entrepreneurship, information technology and human resources.
“Industry growth is predicated on recruiting and retaining these positions,” says Multi Parts President Brian Cohn. “This is especially important in our narrow corner of the automotive industry. We know that when students experience the aftermarket from the inside out, interest follows. There is no better place than AAPEX for aspiring aftermarket professionals to see the reality and potential of this industry and explore its near endless career opportunities.”
The brainchild of Multi Parts Chairman Barry Cohn, the Multi Parts underwritten SPARK initiative has grown from six selectees in 2014’s inaugural year to 13 this year bringing the total number of participants since inception to 51 students. A dynamic one-of-a-kind introduction to the aftermarket, SPARK provides the selectees specifically designed and developed programming at the AAPEX show, meet and greet opportunities with key industry leadership and in-show outings orchestrated and hosted by Multi Parts’ team members. Among the various activities planned for this year, the Luminary Lunch promises to include some of the biggest names in the aftermarket.
“Each year that we are able to connect more talented young people to the industry icons in manufacturing, distribution and the associations, is a win for the aftermarket,” comments Barry Cohn. “When they see our industry presented on full display at AAPEX, they really get it and want to be a part of it. That’s the power of SPARK.”
SPARK2018 Selectees
Nathan Bauer
Northwood University
Nicholas Berger
Katherine Bothe
Northwood University
Andrew (AJ) Bower
Northwood University
Tanner Buckbee
Elizabeth Finnegan
Grove City College
Garrett Finnegan
Grove City College
Hailey Hartwick
Northwood University
Tais Kraljevic
Florida Atlantic University
Anthony Lewis
Northwood University
Michael Nakis
Northwood University
Charles Onesian Jr.
Northwood University
Shannon Stover
Grove City College