Dr. Kent MacDonald on Building the Next Generation of Automotive Leaders

Fight Forward

What if the real barrier to your success isn't the goal itself—but how you're thinking about it? On this episode of Aftermarket All-Access, Chris Messer, vice president of transportation at Endeavor Business Media, and Mike Jones, president of Discover Leadership, join editorial director Chris Jones to explore a mindset shift that's reshaping how supply chain leaders and distributors approach growth. They discuss why focusing on what you want to achieve—rather than what you're trying to avoid—creates measurable improvements in business performance, team culture, and your ability to lead through change. Whether you're managing operations, building your team, or navigating industry disruption, this conversation offers practical insights for driving real results.

Dr. Kent MacDonald on Building the Next Generation of Automotive Leaders

In this episode, Dr. Kent MacDonald, president of Northwood University, sat down to talk about educating the next generation of automotive and aftermarket professionals. But first, he shared what it was like interviewing Wayne Gretzky — and how the hockey legend's philosophy of "skating to where the puck is going" applies directly to the automotive industry's future. Northwood isn't your typical university. It's America's automotive, mobility, and aftermarket university. MacDonald explains ways the aftermarket industry can support Northwood — from scholarships and mentorship to employee benefit programs — and the ROI data that proves investing in Northwood education pays off for families and employers alike.

Beyond Parts: ZF's New Approach to Research, Innovation, and Bringing Products to Market

WEBSITE DESCRIPTION: What drives innovation in the automotive aftermarket? For Anuj Gupta, business line digital North America at ZF Aftermarket, it starts with curiosity and a willingness to spend time in the field discovering real problems. In this episode, Anuj Gupta, business line digital North America at ZF Aftermarket, shares ZF's approach to innovation—grounded in customer research, diverse perspectives, and the philosophy that innovation isn't optional in today's fast-moving industry. Gupta explains why companies need people with different backgrounds bringing fresh perspectives to the table, the role curiosity plays in solving compelling problems, and how ZF is expanding beyond parts to become a full-ecosystem partner for shops.

Podcast: Mind Your Business!

Your trajectory isn't determined by how skilled you are — it's determined by how you think. In this episode, recorded at AAPEX, Chris Messer (executive vice president of Endeavor B2B's Transportation Group) and Mike Jones (founder of Discover Leadership Training) sit down to discuss the mindset shifts that separate thriving industry leaders from those stuck in park. In this conversation, they explore the power of surrounding yourself with the right people, why embracing change is non-negotiable in today's industry, and how to move from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.  If you're ready to stop blaming circumstances and start owning your growth, this episode is for you.

What 2025 Taught Us About the Aftermarket—And What Comes Next

What's really happening in the automotive aftermarket right now? Mike Chung, senior director, market intelligence at the Auto Care Association. He digs into the data to reveal the trends that matter most to shop owners and auto parts distributors. In this episode, held at AAPEX, we explore tariff impacts on parts supply, inflationary pressures on consumer purchasing, and a surprising shift in tire buying habits: why consumers are trading down to lower-tier brands and what that means for premium manufacturers' long-term customer loyalty. We also discuss delayed maintenance patterns, substitutionary product purchases, and what the data is forecasting for 2026. If you're trying to understand your customers' behavior and make smarter business decisions, this conversation cuts through the noise and gets to what the numbers actually reveal about the health and direction of the industry.