Art Fisher Award for Excellence in Education

Art Fisher Award for Excellence in Education

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.

2023 RECIPIENT: Paul Louwers

The Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), a community of the Auto Care Association, presented the 2023 Art Fisher Award for Excellence in Education, to Paul Louwers, President of Automotive Video innovations (AVI) & The Group Training Academy.  The award was presented on October 29^th by AWDA Vice-Chair Dan Hanson Jr. at AWDA’s 2023 Annual Conference in Las Vegas.

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.

Paul Louwers is the CEO and co-founder of Automotive Video and the driving force behind the concept and execution of Automotive Video Innovations located in Fort Myers, Florida.  Since 1994, Paul and his wife, Sherry, have been taking automotive education to the next level by releasing some of the most modern and detailed training videos ever produced.  AVI is a technology company that excels at creating training for the automotive industry with an area of expertise in developing and producing relevant content for Service and Repair Centers, Parts Manufacturers, Parts Distributors, and Automotive Schools.  AVI has been recognized by automotive industry leaders numerous times and has won several awards for excellence in training.

Automotive Video began producing content solely utilizing DVDs, however it was in 2010 when Paul recognized what was coming and evolved to digital and AVI On-Demand Online was born.  Offering training-as-a-tool assessments, companies could manage their entire staff with groupings.

In addition to being the driving force behind the award-winning and very popular GROUP Training Academy, AVI also makes their presence known around the industry.  They host BOSCH online content, as well as becoming a key player in the Mobility Garage every year at AAPEX.

Paul stays on the leading edge because he is always pursuing networking opportunities from top professionals, and always looking for content development and instructors.

But online training is not the only commitment Paul makes to the industry, he believes in hands-on training because it is important for technicians to use their hands.  Therefore Paul facilitates leader-led, hands-on seminars for professionals because he engages more senses in the training. 

Either online or in person, AVI continues to provide the aftermarket with high-end training making certain the technician can apply that training and truly be able to fix a vehicle when they leave.