AAPEX 2025 Names 6th Annual Service & Repair Awards Winners

Honors individuals and businesses that set the example for operational excellence, customer service and reliable vehicle repairs

LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES, October 30, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) announced today the winners of the AAPEX Service & Repair Awards. The award series is an annual program that recognizes exemplary performance among independent repair shop owners, service advisors and repair technicians.

First introduced in 2020, anyone in the automotive aftermarket community can nominate a candidate for one of three award categories. A panel of volunteer industry experts then scores each nominee’s application; the highest score wins in each category.

“Recognition of a job well done is perhaps the most underutilized tool in a leader’s toolkit,” said Auto Care Association President and CEO Bill Hanvey. “The AAPEX Service & Repair Awards are a recurring reminder of the power of recognition. Please join us in congratulating this year’s winners.”

The winning nominees are listed below.

1. Shop Owner of the Year: Tom Palermo of Preferred Automotive Specialists

The shop owner category recognizes Tom as an independent repair shop owner who demonstrates leadership, operational excellence and commitment to safety in providing quality repair work. Preferred Automotive Specialists is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

2. Service Advisor of the Year: Katlyn French of Hillside Auto Repair

The service advisor category honors Katlyn for exceptional performance in communicating with customers with integrity and effectively coordinating service. Hillside Auto Repair is based in O'Fallon MO.

3. Technician of the Year: Tony Martinez of Silver Lake Auto & Tire Centers

The technician category distinguishes Tony as a technician with extraordinary diagnostic skills, technical proficiency, and stringent adherence to industry standards and safety requirements. Silver Lake Auto & Tire Centers has several locations surrounding Milwaukee, Wis. It’s worth noting that Tony holds several ASE certifications, including master auto technician.

“Given the complexity of a modern vehicle, it’s a remarkable logistical and technical feat to be able to bring our vehicles to a repair facility and be back safely on the road in mere hours and often less,” said President of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Paul McCarthy. “Americans are dependent on our vehicles for transportation and in that sense, service and repair professionals like these are underrecognized neighborhood heroes.”

The winners will be honored at AAPEX 2025 during the Keynote Breakfast with Wayne Gretzky; the awards will be presented to winners during the Beers and Gears Reception.

AAPEX is a trade show that brings together the global automotive aftermarket. The industry is highly competitive and estimated to be worth $435 billion in the U.S. and $2.3 trillion globally.

The show is set to kick off on November 4th in Las Vegas – and there’s still time to register. Tickets to the show cost $100. Complimentary passes are available for qualified vocational students, reporters and journalists.

AAPEX strongly recommends that attendees secure hotel reservations as soon as possible using onPeak, the official AAPEX housing partner.

About AAPEX

AAPEX unites the nearly $2.3 trillion global automotive aftermarket industry and historically draws more than 2,600 exhibiting companies from around the globe that display innovative products, services and technologies that keep the world’s 1.6 billion vehicles on the road. AAPEX provides advanced technical and business management training for professionals to maintain excellence and take their businesses to the next level. Industry buyers include automotive service and repair professionals, auto parts retailers, independent warehouse distributors, program groups, service chains, automotive dealers, fleet buyers and engine builders.

AAPEX recently received the prestigious Trade Show Executive (TSE) award for “Fastest-Growing Gold 100 Transportation Show in 2023 by Blended Percentage of Growth.” It was also recognized by TSE as one of the 50 fastest-growing trade shows that took place in the United States in 2023, marking the second consecutive year for the event to earn its place on TSE’s Fastest 50 Class.

AAPEX is a trade-only event and is closed to the general public.

AAPEX is co-owned by the Auto Care Association and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. For more information, visit AAPEX 2025 or e-mail: info@aapexshow.com. On social media, follow AAPEX at #AAPEX25.

Media Contact:
Frank Strong
media.relations@aapexshow.com

Frank Strong
for AAPEX
+1 202-352-5920
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