July 6, 2026
Letter from YANG Chair, Tanya Hunt
Dear YANG Community,
As I write my final letter as YANG Chair, I'm filled with gratitude.
This issue of The YANG Effect includes a recap of our recent Leadership Conference at Connect, where our theme was "Lead From Where You Are." Leadership isn't about a title—it's about showing up, raising your hand, and making a difference wherever you are.
I'm especially proud of our Five for Five speakers. And I loved welcoming our Next Steppers. I look forward to watching all of their careers continue to grow. The future of our industry is going to be in good hands.
Congratulations as well to our friends who received the YANG Impact Award. It is an honor to simply be recognized and nominated. Receiving the award is a milestone - a reminder that your peers and this industry see the difference you're making. It's not a finish line—it's a starting line. It's an encouragement to keep growing, keep serving, and keep investing in your career journey and the people around you.
As this chapter closes, I'd like to thank our outgoing council members: Matt Fowler, Andrew Kitching, Lauren McCullough, and Mike Skolnick. Thankfully, we're not letting them get too far away. We're simply freeing them up to continue fueling our industry through their talents, leadership, and volunteer efforts. Thank you for everything you've done for YANG and the aftermarket community.
Congratulations as well to Troy Henke. I can't wait to hear about your experience with Leadership 2.0 and the impact you'll continue to make.
Most of all, I am excited to pass the torch to two incredible leaders (and my good friends), Brandon Crenshaw and Jamie Francis. YANG is in great hands, and I look forward to supporting them in my new role as Past Chair. I know they'll continue building the connections, opportunities, and community that make YANG so special.
Before I go, I want to leave you with one final thought.
Look for ways to make a difference regardless of recognition. Find opportunities to help a peer, support your department, strengthen your company, and give back to our industry. Raise your hand. Say yes. Get involved.
I recently came across a quote from Denzel Washington that has stayed with me:"It's not about what you have or even what you've accomplished. It's about who you've lifted up, who you've made better."
Please don't hesitate to reach out anytime.
Thank you for allowing me to serve this incredible community.
With gratitude,
Tanya Hunt
Chair (2025-2026), YANG Council
Welcome to the new YANG Effect! Your one-stop quarterly newsletter for all things Automotive Aftermarket contributed to and written by under-40 industry professionals.
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Market Insights with Mike is a series presented by the Auto Care Association's Director of Market Intelligence, Mike Chung, that is dedicated to analyzing market-influencing trends as they happen and their potential effects on your business and the auto care industry.
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