The Auto Care Association’s Import Vehicle Community announced the winner of its annual people awards at a luncheon in Las Vegas on day two of AAPEX 2024.

Hall of Fame

The Import Vehicle Community Hall of Fame award is intended to honor outstanding individuals in the import automotive industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, and accomplishments have enhanced the stature of, and significantly contributed to, the import industry segment and its overall growth and progress.

This year’s winner is Jens Schueler, CEO Vehicle Lifetime Solutions, Schaeffler AG.

He started his career in 2002 at Deutsche Börse AG as Specialist XETRA Market Supervision. 

In 2003, he joined Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket GmbH & Co. KG as Assistant to the Board of Directors. This was followed by professional stages in the Aftermarket, in which he was responsible for strategic projects within the sales organization in a leading position. 

In 2009, he was appointed to the Global Board of the Automotive Aftermarket business unit and, as Vice President, was responsible for strategic planning and project management. 

Two years later, he took over the management of the Automotive Aftermarket business unit in North America. In 2014, he was additionally given responsibility for the aftermarket business in South America. 

With the establishment of Automotive Aftermarket as an Executive Board function, in 2018, Schueler took over as Head of Global Sales and Marketing. 

In 2022, Schueler was appointed as a member of Schaeffler AG’s Executive Board and is responsible for the Schaeffler Group’s Automotive Aftermarket business in the business division Vehicle Lifetime Solutions. 

Industry Impact

The Import Vehicle Community Industry Impact (formerly Lifetime Industry Achievement) award honors individuals whose outstanding performance, integrity, dignity and conscientious approach to business affairs are demonstrated as a matter of routine. The Industry Impact award has been a means by which our industry’s high contributors and unsung heroes are credited and appropriately recognized.

This year’s winner is Jim Phillips, Senior Vice President, Purchasing, Product Development, Sourcing, Worldpac.

Jim Phillips has dedicated his entire career to the import automotive aftermarket, fueled by a passion for cars that began in his childhood. Growing up in Northern California, Jim was introduced to sports cars at a young age, igniting a deep interest in the automotive industry. 

His first job, at a local auto parts store right after high school, marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to the import parts sector. Starting from the ground up, Jim quickly demonstrated his leadership by turning underperforming stores into top performers. 

A pivotal moment in Jim’s career came when he joined Worldwide Trading Corporation (WWTC) in 1990. At WWTC, he played a significant role in the merger that led to the creation of Worldpac, a leader in the import automotive aftermarket. His contributions to the company include the development of a robust marketing department and spearheading the launch of Worldpac’s American parts and fluids programs, which have been crucial to the company’s growth. As Senior Vice President of Purchasing, Product Development and Sourcing, Jim has been instrumental in building strong teams and processes that continue to drive Worldpac’s success today. 

Jim credits much of his career achievements to the support of his family, particularly his wife Pam and their two sons, Ryan and Karl. Outside of work, he enjoys restoring and racing sports cars, a lifelong passion. 

Reflecting on his career, Jim says: “This industry has given my family and me a wonderful life. It allowed us to buy a nice home, send our kids to college, travel the world, and indulge in our passion for collecting, restoring, and racing sports cars. I will always be grateful to Worldpac and the entire Import Automotive aftermarket community for making this possible.” 

Person of the Year

The Person of the Year award honors an individual for their outstanding contributions to the industry during the past 12-month period preceding the selection of the current year’s award recipient. There shall be no more than one individual per year honored as the Person of the Year.

This year’s winner is Stefan Feder, Head of Automotive Aftermarket, North America, Continental Automotive Systems.

Stefan Feder is Head of Automotive Aftermarket, North America at Continental Automotive Systems, Inc., one of the most important suppliers in the independent automotive aftermarket. Drawing on more than 120 years of cooperation with vehicle manufacturers and bringing a broad range of spare parts in OEM quality for the aftermarket under brands like Continental, ATE, VDO and REDI-Sensor. 

Feder has been with the company since 2004, serving in a variety of roles with Continental, Continental Tire, and Continental ContiTech. His aftermarket career at Continental ContiTech began 2009 as a Regional Sales Manager in Europe. After successfully driving sales in various countries in Europe, Feder moved to the United States in 2018 to lead sales activities in the Import Channel for ContiTech. He then developed into the Head of Sales, WD Channel for Continental ContiTech in the United States and Canada, and he accepted his most recent role with the Automotive Aftermarket in June 2024. 

In 2023 while still with the ContiTech Division, Feder became one of the founding members of the Sustainability Committee of the Auto Care Association and has since served on the committee as its Vice Chair. 

Besides being dedicated to his leadership position at Continental and being highly engaged in the aftermarket industry, Feder is passionate about traveling and exploring different cultures and their food.  

Young Executive of the Year

The Import Vehicle Community honors outstanding young executives in the import automotive industry for their dedication, enthusiasm and accomplishments. This award recognizes the leadership and integrity of executives and team leaders under the age of 40.

This year’s winner is Don Snyder, Senior Vice President of Finance, FCP Euro.

Don Snyder joined FCP Euro in 2017 and leads the finances of the company. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the company’s financial activities, including the development and execution of financial strategies, providing essential financial insights to support effective decision making, and driving sustainable growth. 

Before joining FCP Euro, Don held several leadership positions at edTech firms Higher One and Blackboard. He is a graduate of Saint Anselm College and holds a Masters in Business Administration from Southern Connecticut State University. 

Winners of the Import Vehicle Community Awards are determined based on nominations submitted by members of the Import Vehicle Community.