NAPA AUTO PARTS and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) have named Jeff Gauthier the 2009 NAPA/ASE Parts Specialist of the Year. Gauthier, the general manager of the Franklin County Auto Group in Greenfield, MA, owned by Wayne Fazzino, is the 10th individual to receive this special parts professional honor within the NAPA organization.
Gauthier, an ASE Parts Specialist in the areas of Automobile Parts (P2) and Medium/Heavy Truck Aftermarket Brake Parts (P3), has more than 31 years of experience in the automotive industry. His dedication to stay current on the latest automotive techniques and practices is evident by the classes he proactively attends from NAPA management schools and clinics. These classes include: Improving Store Performance, NAPA Store Management School, Growing Your Retail Business, Guidelines to Custom Pricing, Guidelines to Inventory Management and FastTrack. He has also completed numerous NAPA supplier clinics and schools as well as the Dale Carnegie Human Relations Course.
The NAPA/ASE Parts Specialist of the Year award is presented annually by NAPA AUTO PARTS and ASE to an individual in the automotive repair and maintenance industry that meets a detailed list of prerequisites.
“Gauthier was the unanimous selection for this honor as decided by the judging panel of ASE, trade press, university and aftermarket industry association representatives,” said NAPA President Bob Susor. “He is an excellent choice for this recognition and a fine representative of parts specialists throughout not only NAPA but our entire industry.”
Due to his long history with the automotive industry, Gauthier quickly became a leading candidate for this award. He started part time at the NAPA store in Bennington, VT, during high school. Upon graduation, he became a full-time employee. By 1990, he was promoted to store manager. In 2001, he was promoted to general manager of the Franklin County Auto Group, which includes six locations.
Aside from Gauthier’s dedication to the automotive industry, he is also very committed to his family and community. Along with raising three children, Gauthier and his wife continue to be 24-hour care providers for two developmentally challenged men, ages 31 and 53. Additionally, Gauthier has served as an active firefighter for more than 20 years as well as Fire Chief.
Gauthier currently resides in Bennington, VT, with his wife, Cindy, and three children, Jeffery, Jonathan and Jillian.