AWDA Announces New Officers, Governors for 2026
January 8, 2026
BETHESDA, Md. – Jan. 8, 2026 – The Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), a community of the Auto
Care Association, has announced the addition of its newest governors that will help lead this storied organization into the future. The new Governors were elected by unanimous vote, and they will begin their three-year terms effective immediately.
AWDA officers for 2026 are as follows:
- Chair: Fletcher Lord III, president, CEO, Parts Warehouse Inc.
- Vice Chair: Young Suhr, executive vice president, APW Knox-Seeman Warehouse
- Immediate Past Chair: Ashlee Arnold, vice president, Arnold Oil Company of Austin
AWDA’s new Governors-at-Large are:
- Paul Agather, president, CEO, Automotive Jobbers Supply
- Chase Baxley, chief operating officer, Car Parts Warehouse
- Jerry Bender, vice president, Midwest Wheel Companies
- Todd Heldt, executive vice president, Factory Motor Parts
- Clifford Hovis Jr, regional manager / T&E Purchaser
- Eric Schwartz, chief operating officer, Parts Authority
- Trevor Tennant, president, CEO, Piston Ring Service Supply
“The AWDA Nominating Committee has done a fantastic job of finding a selection of leaders from within the independent distribution side of the aftermarket that has both achieved success and highlights a massive potential for growth,” said Ted Hughes, executive director, AWDA. “These trailblazers cross generations and continue the AWDA Board of Governors legacy of serving as a true reflection of leadership in distribution, and I am proud to work with them.”
“The strides that AWDA has taken recently both as an association and conference presenter have come a long way the last several years,” said Incoming AWDA Chair Fletcher Lord III. “I look forward to working with all of these independent distributor leaders to leverage this momentum into actionable progress for the entire independent distribution segment, including for our valued channel partners.”
In the coming year, the AWDA board will support and represent warehouse distributors within the Auto Care Association and the aftermarket industry as a whole. AWDA also will continue its long tradition of supporting industry education through significant donations to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF) and Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) and many other valued causes.
AWDA represents the top distributors and manufacturers of motor vehicle parts nationwide. The 78-year-old organization is a key segment of the Auto Care Association.
Learn more about AWDA at autocare.org/awda or contact Ted Hughes, executive director, AWDA, at ted.hughes@autocare.org.