Aftermarket Education Leader Honored in Las Vegas
Keith Zar receives the Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award at AAPEX, recognizing industry dedication to training.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Auto Parts
Keith Zar, managing partner of Schwartz Advisors, will receive Northwood University's Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award at an AAPEX awards ceremony in Las Vegas on Nov. 3, 2026. The honor recognizes industry leaders who demonstrate dedication to education and the automotive aftermarket.
Why it matters
For households that depend on the aftermarket for parts, service and repairs, the honor highlights the education and leadership efforts behind the industry that keeps cars on the road. Northwood University has presented the award program since 1975, so the recognition reflects a long-running commitment to training the people who work in the field.
Northwood University presents the Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award annually, and the presentation is scheduled for the AAPEX awards ceremony in Las Vegas on Nov. 3, 2026. Keith Zar has taken part in hundreds of transactions as a legal, financial and strategic adviser.
The players
Northwood University
A private university in Michigan that has presented the Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award since 1975.
Schwartz Advisors
An M&A advisory and strategic planning firm serving the mobility aftermarket, which announced the award.
Keith Zar
A lawyer by training who oversees Schwartz Advisors' sell-side M&A practice and has advised on hundreds of transactions.
The details
Keith Zar is a lawyer by training who oversees Schwartz Advisors' sell-side M&A practice. Schwartz Advisors is an M&A advisory and strategic planning firm serving the mobility aftermarket, and the award was announced by the firm itself. Previous Schwartz Advisors recipients of the honor include Michael C. Buzzard, Brian Cruickshank, Curtis Draper, Pete Kornafel, Mort Schwartz and Rick Schwartz.
Timeline
Nov. 3, 2026: Northwood honors Zar at the AAPEX awards ceremony in Las Vegas.
1975: Northwood University established the award program.
The Home Front
The aftermarket that supplies parts and repair services for vehicles in Las Vegas and across the country has grown into a significant part of household car ownership costs. Awards that recognize training and leadership in this field reflect the workforce that keeps service shops and parts suppliers operating.
If you rely on a local shop for parts or repairs, the people who train and lead the aftermarket shape the availability and quality of what they install. There is no action required from homeowners or drivers based on this recognition alone.
The takeaway
Recognition of aftermarket educators and leaders reflects the training behind the parts and service network that keeps vehicles running. When choosing a repair shop, asking about technician training and certifications is a reasonable way to gauge the expertise behind the work.
Further reading
For more on the industry behind this honor, browse our Auto Parts coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AftermarketNews.
