Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award
"It set me on a trajectory that I never expected. It floored me that I was considered for a nomination. When I won, it change me: it changed my attitude and how I saw the industry looking at the content we were producing - it was a game changer for me. I'm humbled and honored. If I can win an award like this, so can you."
Carm Capriotto, Founder and Host, Remarkable Results Radio Podcast & 2017 Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award Recipient
The Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award is given annually by the Auto Care Association’s Education Committee to an individual that best advances the concepts and programs for education or continuing education in the North American auto care industry. Nominations are evaluated in accordance with the candidate's:
- Innovation of new auto care education programs for any auto care audience,
- Advancement of existing programs, and/or
- Superlative effort to further promote the educational programs or education fund raising efforts.
The award was established in by Mort Schwartz, aftermarket entrepreneur, business owner and now investor/consultant.
The Mort Schwartz Excellence in Education Award was created to honor one of the automotive aftermarket’s greatest success stories, a man who rose to the top of the auto care industry by virtue of his enormous talent, hard work and dedication
to the industry that he helped shape.
As a young entrepreneur, long-time business owner and now investor/consultant, Mort Schwartz has always put back more than he has taken out of the industry. Not only has he been involved in and chaired
some of the largest and most powerful industry associations, Schwartz has always been a strong advocate for industry education, training and scholarship programs.
The Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship Program, www.automotivescholarships.com, which he helped create, continues to grow today through contributions given by industry organizations
and individuals.
Mort Schwartz
2026 Award Recipient
Bill Babcox, CEO, Babcox Media
Bill Babcox is CEO of Babcox Media, a privately held, 106-year-old media, data, and marketing company at the center of the auto care industry. Since 1990, he has led the organization through decades of transformation, evolving it from a traditional publisher into a multi-channel, insight-driven performance media organization.
A lifelong advocate for the aftermarket, Bill has built his career on a clear premise: the strength of the industry is driven by the strength of its connections. Under his leadership, Babcox Media delivers the insights, audience intelligence, and integrated marketing solutions that help manufacturers, distributors, and service providers make smarter decisions and drive growth in an increasingly complex marketplace.
Throughout his career, Bill has actively served the industry through leadership roles, board and committee participation, and ongoing engagement with key associations and initiatives.
A graduate of Denison University, Bill lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with his wife, Patty.
2025: Eric M. Johnson, President and Managing Partner, Arnold Motor Supply
2023: Fred Bunting, Founder, Auto-Wares Group of Companies
2022: John A. Passante, MAAP, President & CEO, The Organizational Development Group, Inc.
2021: Richard Beirne, MAAP, Vice president of Corporate Development, Automotive Parts Headquarters (APH)
2020: Bo Fisher, CEO, Fisher Auto Parts
2019: E. Fletcher Lord, Jr., Replacement Parts Inc.
2018: Brent Berman, Director, Training and Consumer Experience, Federal-Mogul Motorparts
2017: Carm Capriotto, AAP, Host/Producer, Remarkable Results Radio Podcast
2016: Richard (Rick) B. Guirlinger, President, Bourke Services LLC
2015: Susan Kalish, Senior Director, Education, Auto Care Association
2014: Bobby Bassett, Manager of Training, Gates Corporation
2013: Hovis Auto and Truck Supply
2012: Brian Cruickshank, Director, University of the Aftermarket
2011: Fred Bunting, CEO of Auto-Wares, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2010: Chuck Udell, MAAP, President, Essential Action Design Group
2009: Jim John, Instructor & Chair, Automotive Aftermarket Management Program, Northwood University
2008: Steve Hoellein, President, Felt Auto Parts Co.
2007: Pete Kornafel, MAAP, Vice Chairman, CARQUEST
2005: Northwood University
