This annual award, presented in memory of former AWDA Chairman Art Fisher, recognizes a company or individual for their leadership and commitment to education and training, either within their own organization or throughout the industry. Winners will be drawn from traditional industry participants including jobbers, distributors, repair shops or manufacturers. Funds from the Art Fisher Scholarship program shall be presented in the name of the award winner(s) to two undergraduate students enrolled in the automotive aftermarket management program at Northwood University, Midland, MI. Award winners need not be AWDA members.

AWDA’s Art Fisher Award for Excellence in Education is presented annually to an aftermarket company or individual that demonstrates outstanding commitment to education and training, either within their organization or throughout the industry. Given in memory of former AWDA Chairman Art Fisher, the award grants scholarships in the name of the award winner to two students enrolled in the automotive aftermarket management program at Northwood University.

Formerly known as AWDA Memorial Scholarship Award; Ernest A. Tapp Memorial Award

Fee details

Nomination Fee: None

Presented at

Event ended

79th Annual AWDA Business Conference

The 2026 AWDA Conference is a two day event of pre-scheduled one-on-one business meetings centered around maintaining existing relationships between the premier suppliers and distributors in the industry.

  • Date November 1–2, 2026
  • Location Venetian Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, NV Get directions

2026 recipients

Presented at 79th Annual AWDA Business Conference

  • Corey Bartlett, MAAP

    President/CEO, Automotive Parts Headquarters, Inc.

    The Art Fisher Award recognizes an aftermarket company or individual with an outstanding commitment to education and training. Named for former AWDA Chairman Art Fisher, it provides scholarships in the winner’s name to two students in Northwood University’s automotive aftermarket management program. AWDA Vice Chair Young Suhr presented the award. 


    Corey Bartlett has prioritized education throughout his career at APH. Within his first 10 years, he reorganized staff and expanded employee training. He completed the University of the Aftermarket’s Leadership 2010 program and earned Automotive Aftermarket Professional and Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional designations in 2002 and 2009. 


    “Corey has shown incredible initiative in supporting training and continuing education,” said John R. Washbish, president and CEO, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. “Through his leadership roles and example, he has consistently improved the education and standards of his staff, the Alliance, and the industry as a whole.” 


    As CEO, Bartlett and his managers developed a 101-level course to help employees understand APH’s expansion into medium-duty, heavy-duty and agricultural segments. A partnership with a local technical college added hands-on experience, with nearly 100% participation among the company’s 1,200 employees. Corey also helped oversee the Alliance scholarship program and create its Technician of the Year program. 


    His industry service includes chairing the AWDA Board of Governors, mentoring through the Young Auto Care Networking Group and supporting the Auto Care Political Action Committee. He was the 2017 AWDA Pursuit of Excellence honoree and supports WACOSA and other local nonprofits. 


Previous Award Recipients
  • 2025 Babcox Media
  • 2024 Larry Pavey
  • 2023 Paul Louwers
  • 2022 ASE
  • 2021 John Passante
  • 2020 Bobby Bassett, retired National Training Manager, Gates Corp
  • 2019 The Group Training Academy
  • 2018 Standard Motor Products
  • 2017 NAPA/Genuine Parts
  • 2016 Cliff Hovis
  • 2015 Tim Sturdevant
  • 2014 David Wesselman
  • 2013 James A. Tennant, AAP
  • 2012 Pete Kornafel
  • 2011 Steve Hoellein
  • 2010 John N. Castle
  • 2009 Federal-Mogul Corp. Technical Education Center
  • 2008 David Caracci
  • 2007 Fred Bunting
  • 2006 KYB America
  • 2005 Larry Sills
  • 2004 Richard Beirne and Ron Levene
  • 2003 MEMA
  • 2002 Art Fisher
  • 2001 Ted Wise, AAP
  • 2000 Chuck Udell, AAP
  • 1999 Marc Gelfand, AAP
  • 1998 Raymond Walker, AAP
  • 1997 Louis A. Zuanich, AAP
  • 1996 Tim Lee, AAP
  • 1995 Annie Kornafel, AAP
  • 1994 Bill Kuykendall, MAAP
  • 1993 Gary Kremer, AAP
  • 1993 Clay Buzzard, AAP
  • 1992 Aaron Berkowitz
  • 1991 N. Arthur Epstein, AAP*
  • 1990 Kenneth D. Walker, AAP
  • 1989 Robert H. Raff, MAAP
  • 1988 Jay L. Love
  • 1987 Raymond P. Peck
  • 1986 Larry Anton
  • 1985 Donald E. Edelmann
  • 1984 C. Hamilton Sloan
  • 1983 James L. Fine
  • 1982 Frederic S. Kotcher
  • 1981 Peter R. Kornafel, MAAP
  • 1980 Robert L. Sirotek, AAP
  • 1979 Emil G. Stanley*
  • 1978 Richard B. Black
  • 1977 O. Temple Sloan
  • 1976 Charles N. Gaskill, AAP*
  • 1975 Mort Schwartz, AAP
  • 1974 Dunbar Abston Jr.
  • 1973 Martin G. Brown
  • 1972 Sam Nakis
  • 1971 Herbert Lipton
  • 1970 R. Jack Alexander Jr.
  • 1969 S.G. Puryear
  • 1968 Frank Norfleet
  • 1967 Harry D. Rothman*
  • 1966 Ran P. Hall

The AWDA Memorial Scholarship Award was preceded by the Ernest A. Tapp Memorial Award. The recipients of this award are:

  • 1965 John M. Yantis
  • 1964 Bernard Bock
  • 1963 Paul Livoni
  • 1962 A.P. Walter
  • 1961 Jack F. Whitaker
  • 1960 Thomas S. Perry, AAP