AWDA’s 2025 Art Fisher Award for Excellence in Education Presented to Babcox Media

The Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), a community of the Auto Care Association, presented the 2025 Art Fisher Award for Excellence in Education, to Babcox Media, based in Akron, Ohio. The award was presented on Nov. 2 by AWDA Vice-Chair Fletcher Lord III at AWDA’s 2025 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.

For over 100 years, Babcox Media has remained the leading source in providing education, training and information on the automotive aftermarket as well as the people who are involved.

The evolution of Babcox Media from strictly a trade publication company to a full-service multimedia empire focused on sharing training, news and events with the industry was monumental. That transformation was guided under the premise to make information and education more accessible to everyone. They fill a need that the broadest of aftermarket audiences can gain valued insights from experts across the industry.

Bill Babcox, the third-generation owner and chief executive officer of Babcox Media Inc., was on hand to accept the award. He has led the business since 1990, guiding its growth and evolution in the aftermarket industry.

A Denison University graduate, Bill began his career at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in 1984 as a retail sales manager and joined Babcox in 1985. He is active in the community and industry, having served on boards including Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Foundation, Akron General Medical Center, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Health Network Foundation, and the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.