AAPEX Opens with a Unified Call to Defend, Invest and Advance

When Auto Care Association President and CEO Bill Hanvey took the stage alongside Paul McCarthy, president and CEO of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, at the AAPEX Opening Breakfast, they didn’t begin with technology or market forecasts. They began with people.

“Resilience is not just about surviving disruption,” Hanvey said, “it’s about investing in people, tools and tomorrow’s leaders.”

That theme—resilience through investment—framed the morning’s address, echoing a clear message: the aftermarket’s future will depend on the strength of its workforce and the collaboration of its industry partners. Both leaders underscored that message through tangible examples, from technician education to global advocacy.

“Skilled trades must have parity with college degrees because these jobs and the people who do them are essential,” McCarthy added. “We need to build the technician pipeline, am I right? And, we need to drive lifelong learning at every level.”

Their remarks reflected a broader cultural shift in the automotive world, where technical education and trade careers are reclaiming recognition as high-skill, high-value professions.

Building the Pipeline

Hanvey and McCarthy pointed to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF) and its expanding scholarship programs as examples of progress. These efforts, they said, are the foundation for sustained talent growth.

“This year, we took a next big step forward leveraging the University of the Aftermarket co-owned by Auto Care, MEMA and AWDA,” Hanvey said. “We’ll fill and engage our industry’s talent pipeline.”

Together, the organizations are also linking academic partnerships with hands-on development, through initiatives like Aftermarket 101 and Leadership 2.0. These programs aim to help the next generation of aftermarket professionals not just enter the field, but advance within it.

McCarthy celebrated the record-breaking UAF scholarship campaign supported by the YANG and Modern Industry eXpertise (MiX) Future Leaders Council groups, calling it “inspiring” to see young professionals working on EV, ADAS and other advanced systems.

“That’s the American dream, right Paul?” Hanvey said, turning to his co-presenter. “That’s what investment return looks like. That’s what the future of this industry looks like.”

Sustainability as Strategy

McCarthy pivoted the conversation toward another pillar of progress—sustainability.

“While others brace for disruption, our industry, we build what’s next,” he said. “Sustainability is no longer optional. It’s how we’re building a better future.”

Hanvey reinforced that AAPEX itself serves as a showcase for that commitment, noting that “from the sustainability breakfast to the sustainability booth crawl, there are countless opportunities this week to support, learn and showcase your efforts in this vital area.”

From remanufacturing and energy efficiency to responsible reporting and data transparency, Hanvey and McCarthy positioned sustainability not as a side conversation, but as a key driver of profitability and long-term success.

Defending the Right to Repair

Amid discussions of technology and training, Hanvey emphasized that policy still defines the aftermarket’s freedom to compete.

“We are not just thinking locally,” he said. “Right to Repair is gaining traction around the world—in Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa—proving that what we fight for here sets a standard worldwide.”

The comment drew applause, reflecting the industry’s collective focus on global repair access and data rights—issues that continue to shape both the independent service channel and consumer choice.

Leadership, Legacy and the Road Ahead

Before concluding, Hanvey took a personal turn, recognizing Bill Long, outgoing MEMA president, for his decades of service and mentorship. “He’s been a force for this industry,” Hanvey recalled, sharing how Long once steadied him backstage before his first AAPEX keynote.

McCarthy echoed the sentiment: “Bill Long, you’ve been a mentor, a partner and a friend.” He also introduced Emily Poladian, who will become the president of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, praising her leadership at Bridgestone and urging attendees to “get to know her now.”

As the two aftermarket leaders wrapped up their remarks, Hanvey left the audience with three words: “Defend, invest and advance.”

McCarthy continued: “We defend our freedom to compete, and we invest in our people, our tools and our future.”

“Driving the aftermarket forward. This is our cause and it is our aftermarket,” they remarked together.