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AWDA Manufacturers Advisory Council (MAC) Announces New Members for 2026



January 14, 2026


BETHESDA, Md. – Jan. 14, 2025 – The Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), a community of the Auto  Care Association, today announced new members of its Manufacturers Advisory Council (MAC). The MAC was formed over 70 years ago based on the recognition of the early AWDA organizers that a strong working relationship with suppliers and channel partners was critical to the success of the independent distributor. Since that time, the AWDA Board of Governors and the MAC have worked together to identify and solve some of the biggest challenges facing the industry.   

Nominations to fill open positions on the MAC are sought every year from around the industry. This year, a record of nearly 20 nominees were submitted from the industry’s best and most reliable suppliers. The nominees are then voted on by the MAC members, and the candidates with the highest votes fill the vacated seats for a three-year term beginning now and lasting through AAPEX 2028. 

MAC Officers for this year are Craig Kerins, Dorman Products as MAC chair, Ron Aparicio, Motorcar Parts of America as MAC vice chair, and Mike Harvey, Phinia moves into the MAC Immediate past chair role. Together they will lead the existing members of the Manufacturers Advisory Council, who will also be joined by the following professionals: 

  • Brett Blauner, manager, national sales, Timken
  • Joe Bergsieker, vice president, sales, Terrepower
  • Cody Bruns, director, sales, AP Emissions
  • Russ Eggertvice president, sales, Mevotech
  • Angela Raney, director, sales, Gates
  • Charles Sargent, sales director, programs and key accounts, DRiV 
As a former MAC member, myself, I know firsthand the importance of a strong MAC for the success of AWDA and our members,” said Ted Hughes, executive director, AWDA. “The last several years have brought a renewed focus on our member channel partners in an effort to leverage the fact that today’s market is overrun with opportunity where we can increase efficiency and help both sides succeed.” 

“The entire supplier community is united in our support for AWDA,” said Craig Kerins, incoming MAC Chair. “This group remains the oldest and longest running independent distributor trade organization in the industry, and working together in this capacity helps us as suppliers and our valued customers maintain unparalleled relationships focused on improving business for all of us.” 

In the coming year, the MAC will support the AWDA Board in representing warehouse distributors and supplier channel partners within the Auto Care Association and the aftermarket industry as a whole.   

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 and the MAC at autocare.org/awda or contact Ted Hughes, executive director, AWDA, at ted.hughes@autocare.org.