WIX Filters and Babcox Media’s AMN/Counterman magazine named Randy Shambro of O’Reilly Auto Parts the 2023 Counter Professional of the Year. Shambro is the assistant manager at O’Reilly Auto Parts Store 3381 in Chicago.

The Counter Professional of the Year award, sponsored by WIX Filters and presented at AAPEX in Las Vegas, annually recognizes an automotive aftermarket parts professional who consistently goes the extra mile to ensure that customers have the right parts and information to get the job done right the first time.

“Randy is the classic ‘go-to’ parts professional,” says Tina Davis, senior marketing manager – WIX Global and US. “With his decades of experience, his commitment to ongoing education and his deep roots in Chicago, he has built up a loyal base of customers who make Randy their first call for replacement parts and trusted advice. It’s an honor to recognize Randy as the 2023 Counter Professional of the Year.”

Shambro’s passion for muscle cars was the spark for a career in the automotive aftermarket that has spanned four decades.

In 1977, Randy got a 1965 Dodge Barracuda. Obsessed with his beloved muscle car, he made so many trips to the local Chrysler parts warehouse that the store hired him – and Shambro has been following his passion ever since.

Shambro joined Team O’Reilly in 2009, progressing from the role of parts specialist to retail service specialist to his current position of assistant store manager. O’Reilly has recognized Randy on many occasions for his sales and customer-service achievements, and Shambro is quick to credit O’Reilly for fostering a supportive culture that has allowed him to thrive.

To stay current on the latest automotive technology, Shambro maintains his ASE P2 certification and his O’Reilly CPP (Certified Parts Professional) designation. O’Reilly District Manager Fred Perez emphasizes that Shambro is always eager to share his knowledge and expertise with other employees.

“Randy is a great mentor,” Perez adds. “He coaches all the new team members who come aboard, and he leads by example.”

“It’s about taking care of the customers, giving them what they need, helping them out, going the extra mile,” Shambro explains. “ … I just love what I do. I’ve been doing it a long time, and I enjoy taking care of the customers.”

AMN/Counterman has been honoring the Counter Professional of the Year since 1986.

“We’re thrilled to recognize Randy Shambro as our 2023 Counter Professional of the Year,” says Josh Cable, editor of Counterman. “Randy is the quintessential Counter Professional of the Year: hard-working, conscientious, dedicated and passionate about all things automotive. He lives and breathes this stuff, and he always has the best interests of his customers in mind.”

As part of the Counter Professional of the Year award, Shambro received an all expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas for AAPEX 2023, where WIX and AMN/Counterman presented the award to Shambro at a special reception. Shambro also will be featured in the cover story of AMN/Counterman’s December print edition.

For more information about WIX, visit www.wixfilters.com.