Manufacturers’ Representatives Council Announces 2024-2025 Leadership 2.0 Scholarship Recipient Michael Wamsley

BETHESDA, Md. – July 2, 2024 – The Manufacturers’ Representatives Council, a community of the Auto Care Association, today announced Michael Wamsley of N.A. Williams Company, as this year’s Leadership 2.0 scholarship recipient. Wamsley will represent the Manufacturers’ Representatives community at the highly-acclaimed University of the Aftermarket’s 2024-2025 Leadership 2.0 Program. Leadership 2.0 is the premier post-graduate style leadership and business skills education program designed to promote the development of the next generation of auto care leaders. The Leadership 2.0 program will take place in Summer 2024 and Spring 2025. The Leadership 2.0 Scholarship is generously funded by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.

Manufacturers’ Representatives 2024-2025 Leadership 2.0 Scholarship Recipient
Mike Wamsley has been with N.A. Williams Company for seven years and currently holds the title of director of sales and service. Prior to joining N.A. Williams Company, Wamsley worked at Trico for five years as a senior field specialist.

Wamsley lives in Tampa, Fla., where he was born and now raises his two children Maddie and Mike Jr., alongside his wife, Courtney. He enjoys spending his free time doing “any and all things active.”

Wamsley has received “Rep of the Year” acknowledgements from Mahle, Timken and Mando, in addition to XL Parts/TPH most recently in 2023.

“I believe the knowledge gained through the Leadership 2.0 program will allow me to expand my range and value,” said Wamsley. “The value that I can bring back to our customers, my teammates and peers is our number one priority for attending this educational program. Rising tides raise all ships—I am finding more and more that I receive back tenfold when I give and work on lifting others up. I look forward to being able to share my best practices while attending the Leadership 2.0 program.

“Lastly, I am really looking forward to being exposed to all of the unique roles spread across the automotive aftermarket. I believe that sharing different experiences, perspectives and ethos will truly be invaluable intelligence. It would be very difficult to duplicate a space like this where industry professionals come together to grow. Being afforded this opportunity from the folks that I hold in highest regard at the Manufacturers’ Representatives Council is a real honor!”

Developing Future Industry Leaders

The Leadership 2.0 program is the automotive aftermarket industry's cornerstone educational program that fosters the development of a new generation of visionary auto care executives. The program is an intense and intellectually challenging two-week executive development and learning experience deeply rooted in the theoretical and practical application of auto care leadership principles. It features esteemed speakers and invaluable networking opportunities with top-level industry leaders.

Graduates of the program receive 7.0 CEUs toward their Automotive Aftermarket Profession (AAP) designations and Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations. The scholarship is valued at $6,650 and covers the price of tuition, class materials and meals. 

Leadership 2.0 is comprised of two, five-day sessions. Session I will be held Aug. 11-15, 2024, at the Northwood University campus in Midland, Mich., and Session II will be held March 9-13, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C.

Research, Best Practices and Industry Trends

Leadership 2.0 is facilitated by Northwood University faculty, senior aftermarket executives, and industry leaders. The Leadership 2.0 experience includes:

• industry research and market analysis;
• lively discussion and debate on the challenges confronting the light vehicle and heavy-duty aftermarket;
• competitive strategies;
• interpersonal communication skills;
• contract negotiations, conflict resolution;
• ·organizational culture;
• cyber-security best practices;
• insight into supply chain solutions; and
• ·other challenging and evolving industry topics and trends.

For more information about the Manufacturers’ Representatives Council or additional scholarship opportunities, visit the Manufacturers' Representatives webpage or contact Mary Ieng, community engagement manager, at mary.ieng@autocare.org.