Distributor of the Year award and other industry awards honor aftermarket’s best.
Mike Betts, owner of Betts Truck Parts and Service in Fresno, Calif., was named Truck Parts & Service magazine’s 2008 Distributor of the Year during the awards luncheon held during HDAW.
Betts was selected through votes cast by aftermarket representatives from peer distributors, suppliers and industry organizations. Present to accept the award were Owner Mike, Senior Vice President Don Devany, his son and Procurement and Logistics Manager Bill Betts and Sales Manager Mike Baker.
“This is a tremendous honor to all of us at Betts Truck Parts and Service,” said Mike to the audience after receiving the award. “I’d like to really congratulate Don Devany, our vice president, and Mike Baker and Bill Betts for the outstanding job that they did in serving our customers and our associates at Betts.”
He added, “When we go back, our associates will be very excited to know how much our suppliers and industry partners appreciate us, because we appreciate them.”
Distributor of the Year finalists were also recognized during the ceremony. Profiles of the winner and finalists are available at www.truckpartsandservice.com.
The 2008 Truck Parts & Service magazine’s Distributor of the Year finalists were:
- Frank Camerota, Steven Camerota and Salvatore Camerota, Camerota Truck Parts, Enfield, Conn.
- Dennis Webster, Potter Webster Company, Portland, Ore.
- Jerry Weis and Christopher Sweet, Ott’s Friction Supply, Portland, Ore.
- Charles and Paula Weston, Westpac Heavy Duty Truck Parts, Phoenix.
AFTERMARKET HONORS
The 2003 Distributor of the Year, Jim Burke, former president and CEO of Denver-based Drive Train Industries, was posthumously awarded the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Industry Hall of Fame Award.
The honor, presented by R.L. Polk and Co., recognizes lifetime contributions to and advancement of the aftermarket industry made without regard for personal gain.
The award was accepted by his son, Jim Burke, who now runs the 10-location parts distribution and service company with his brother, Jeff.
During his remarks, Jim used the theme of “love and passion” to recall his father’s dedication to his wife, family and the industry.
“My father had a love and passion for his business, his industry and the great group of people that make up the extended family that’s in this heavy duty business,” Jim said.
ArvinMeritor’s D. Mike Pennington, senior marketing director of Global Marketing Communications, was presented an award for his many contributions to the industry, and specifically to HDAW.
Presented by Jerry Weis, president of Portland-based Ott’s Friction Supply, Pennington was recognized for his marketing and communication strategies and skills that have helped shape the annual aftermarket event.
“I believe there are three levels of participation in an event like HDAW,” Weis said. “There are benchwarmers, there are players and there are MVPs. Mike Pennington is one of those MVP volunteers that are crucial to the success of HDAW and its rise as an industry event.”
David Bryan Lewis, lead technician and supervisor for Wal-Mart Transportation’s fleet maintenance facility in Sutherland, Va., was awarded the 2008 Technician of the Year.
Lewis is a 25-year heavy-duty service technician veteran and has spent 16 years with Wal-Mart. He is an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Truck Technician with T2-T8 certifications, and is L-2 certified in advanced medium-/heavy-duty electronic diesel engine diagnostics. He serves on the Technology & Maintenance Council and has participated in all four TMC SuperTech competitions, leading his team to three top-five finishes.
The Technician of the Year Award is sponsored by Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Dayton Parts, Haldex, Mahle Clevite and SKF.
