Parts Authority announces 2026 vendor partner awards. SKF was named Supplier of the Year, among the many awards given, in recognition of its outstanding overall contribution and the strength of its partnership throughout the year. Mary is the Content Director for AftermarketNews/Counterman, and has been with Babcox Media for 38 years, serving in various editorial roles on several of the company's brands. Published: November 6, 2026 Parts Authority, distributor of automotive replacement parts, tools and equipment, announced the winners of its 2026 vendor awards at AWDA/AAPEX Industry Week. The awards honor the suppliers and representatives whose work over the past year did the most to move the business forward. "Every one of these partners helped us serve our customers better this year," said Clark Hale, CEO of Parts Authority. "We are grateful for the effort, reliability, and trust behind these results, and we congratulate everyone recognized." Company awards. Supplier of the Year: SKF. Parts Authority's top vendor honor went to SKF for its outstanding overall contribution and the strength of its partnership across the year. Import Supplier of the Year: Bosch. Bosch was recognized for delivering the quality products and dependable support that Parts Authority's import customers count on. Partnership Award: DRiV. DRiV was elected for broad strategic synergy and continuous multi-category collaboration across product lines. Supply Chain Award: Deka. Deka was honored for keeping product moving with consistency and dependability, a key factor in meeting customer demand. Marketing Excellence Award: Dorman. Recognized for creative installer engagement, high-impact technician education, and targeted merchandising programs that accelerated new-to-market part adoption. Catalog and Data Award: Mevotech. Mevotech was recognized for the quality of its product data, including accurate listings and rich content that make parts easier to find and sell. Brand Recognition Award: Gates. Gates received this award for a brand reputation built on quality and trust that continues to resonate with customers. New Vendor Award: Sylvania. Sylvania was welcomed with this inaugural recognition for making a strong first impression as a new Parts Authority partner. Representative awards. Vendor Representative of the Year: Parts Authority named two honorees this year, Norman Charleville of Premium Guard and George Greene of Arnott Industries, for their dependable support and their role in strengthening the relationship between their companies and Parts Authority. Manufacturer Representative of the Year: Jim Guy of NA Williams and Hector Garcia of Stan Padover Associates, Inc. were recognized for their teamwork, their skill in balancing multi-line portfolios, supporting regional inventory initiatives, and strengthening branch-level vendor relationships. Road Warrior Award. The Road Warrior Award recognizes representatives who go the extra mile for customers and colleagues. This year's recipients are: * Justin Masseo, Glazier Sales Associates * Scott Austin, NA Williams * Alan Loder, Gates Corp * Juan Guerrero, Motorcraft * William Shost, Glazier Sales Associates "These individuals show up, stay engaged, and make a difference every day," said Hale. "We are proud to call them partners."

Parts Authority names Danielle Rickerson senior vice president. As senior vice president of marketing & communications, Rickerson brings more than two decades of experience in the automotive aftermarket, with leadership experience spanning sales, marketing, communications and commercial strategy. Mary is the Content Director for AftermarketNews/Counterman, and has been with Babcox Media for 38 years, serving in various editorial roles on several of the company's brands. Published: October 28, 2026 Parts Authority, national distributor of automotive replacement parts, tools, and equipment, announced the promotion of Danielle Rickerson to senior vice president of marketing & communications. In this expanded role, Rickerson will provide executive oversight of the company's marketing and communications functions, with a focus on strengthening the Parts Authority brand and aligning marketing initiatives with the company's broader commercial and growth objectives, the company said. Rickerson brings more than two decades of experience in the automotive aftermarket, with leadership experience spanning sales, marketing, communications, and commercial strategy. Throughout her career, she has built a strong track record of driving growth, developing teams, and connecting strategic marketing initiatives to measurable business results. Rickerson's prior role. Prior to joining Parts Authority, Rickerson held executive leadership at NPW, where she served as vice president of sales & marketing. Her experience across both sales and marketing provides a unique perspective on the aftermarket and the evolving needs of customers, suppliers, and the independent automotive repair community, Parts Authority said. As part of the expanded leadership structure, Jacqueline Rodriguez will continue in her role as vice president of marketing, working closely with Rickerson and the broader commercial organization to advance Parts Authority's marketing strategy and initiatives. "Danielle's depth of industry experience and her ability to connect marketing strategy with commercial performance make her a tremendous asset to our leadership team," said Eric Schwartz, chief commercial officer. "She understands this industry from multiple perspectives and brings a strong focus on growth, collaboration, and results. We are excited to have her provide executive leadership across marketing and communications while continuing to build on the strong talent and capabilities already within the organization." Rickerson's promotion reflects Parts Authority's continued investment in leadership and its commitment to building a strong, unified commercial organization positioned for long-term growth, the company said.