Robert F. Egan AAP, Federal-Mogul Corp., presenting the 2009 Automotive Leader of the Year Award to E. Fletcher Lord, Jr., Replacement Parts, Inc.

This annual award recognizes a very significant individual who, while employed in the aftermarket, contributed to the industry in a unique and monumental way. It is considered to be the industry’s highest honor and recognition.

E. Fletcher Lord, Jr., President & CEO of Replacement Parts, Inc. in Little Rock, Ark. has been named the 2009 recipient of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Leader of the Year Award. Each year, AWDA bestows this prestigious award on an aftermarket professional who has contributed to the industry in a unique and significant way.

A veteran of over 40 years in the aftermarket distribution business, Lord has spent nearly his entire career at Replacement Parts and its predecessor organizations (now divisions) Crow-Burlingame Co. and Parts Warehouse, Inc. During his tenure with Replacement Parts, Lord has witnessed, and in recent years led, the company’s dramatic expansion throughout the southern United States.

His company’s size and reputation notwithstanding, it is Lord’s on-going industry involvement and support that makes him so worthy of the Leader of the Year Award.

In addition to his duties as company CEO, Lord has over the years dedicated the time and resources necessary to serve as Chairman of the Distributors Institute, President of the Super Service Club of the Distributors Institute, First Chairman of the ACDelco Dedicated Distribution Group Steering Committee, Chairman of the Board of Automotive Aftermarket Alliance and in 2005-2006 Chairman of the Board of AWDA.

In 1997, Lord earned his Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) designation and has made involvement in Northwood’s career and development program a requirement for his executives. In 2007, Lord’s long-term contributions to the industry were recognized by Northwood University with its prestigious Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award.

Said former AWDA Chairman, Doug Washbish of Moog-Louisville Warehouse, “Fletcher’s history of volunteer leadership within AWDA and our industry is well documented. His success in leading Parts Warehouse speaks for itself. What stands out to me is Fletcher’s genuineness. He has a genuine respect for people, and a genuine sense of integrity and fairness that people recognize and appreciate especially when times or decisions are not so easy. Fletcher is everything this award represents.”

Previous Award Recipients

• 2009 E. Fletcher Lord
• 2008 Robert F. Egan
• 2007 William D. Grote, III
• 2006 Dr. David Fry
• 2005 Timothy A. Lee, AAP
• 2004 John Washbish, AAP
• 2003 Richard Morgan, AAP
• 2002 Joe Owen
• 2001 Michael Cardone Jr.
• 2000 Jack Creamer, AAP
• 1999 Tom Gallagher
• 1998 N. Arthur Epstein, AAP
• 1997 Aaron Berkowitz
• 1996 Clay Buzzard, AAP
• 1995 David O'Reilly
• 1994 Nathaniel Sills/ Bernard Fife
• 1993 Robert H. Raff, MAAP
• 1992 Arthur E. Lottes III
• 1991 Larry McCurdy
• 1990 Martin Fromm, AAP
• 1989 O. Temple Sloan and
• C. Hamilton Sloan
• 1988 Peter R. Kornafel, MAAP
• 1987 Robert Sirotek, AAP
• 1986 Allen C. Richey
• 1985 Sen. John C. Danforth
• 1984 R. Jack Alexander Jr.
• 1983 Charles N. Gaskill, AAP
• 1982 Elliot Lehman, AAP
• 1981 Wilton Looney
• 1980 Mort Schwartz, AAP
• 1979 Robert Z. Friedman
• 1978 A.K. Hannum
• 1977 Basil J. Mezines
• 1976 Rene C. McPherson
• 1975 Richard C. Teasel
• 1974 John M. Yantis
• 1973 Frederick J. Mancheski, AAP
• 1972 Frank M. Norfleet
• 1971 Arthur Wolff
• 1970 E.N. "Ernie" Robinson
• 1969 Thomas S. Perry, AAP
• 1968 H.C. "Skip" Stivers
• 1967 Olin Ennis
• 1966 Edward Gammie
• 1965 C.M. Scates
• 1964 C.S. Rogers
• 1963 C.A. Benoit Jr.
• 1962 Harold T. Halfpenny
• 1961 Joe E. Bickel
• 1960 Ira Saks
• 1959 Victor L. Toft