AMN Drivetime With Sue Godschalk of Federated Auto Parts (Video)

AMN Drivetime With Sue Godschalk of Federated Auto Parts (Video)

In this episode of AMN Drivetime, Sue Godschalk, president of Federated Auto Parts, shares her journey being included in the founding of one of the nation’s leading program distribution groups – Federated Auto Parts, which was established in the mid-1980s.

Not necessarily a “car gal” per se, Godschalk says she was more intrigued by the business side of the aftermarket industry. That curiosity has served her well in her career. Over the years, she rose through the ranks at Federated, from her start serving as secretary and administrative assistant, to office manager, general manager, then corporate secretary and treasurer, then serving as VP before being named president of the organization in 2020.

“I was more interested in the inventory and operations aspect of the business,” she said. “I always found it challenging to understand which manufacturer sold which parts. I wanted to know what the function was of each of those parts for each vehicle. I basically wanted to learn everything – from how the part was ordered, and how the part traveled until it got to the end-users. That started my interest.”

Having worked with several icons of the industry – Art Fisher, Rusty Bishop and Larry Pavey – Godschalk says she feels thankful to have worked with such great teachers. The experiences she gained working with talented leaders has been invaluable she says.

“I think one of the best lessons I’ve learned is, no matter how we think we know, there’s always more to learn and there’s always new and better ways to do things. You have to keep growing. You always have to strive for continuous improvement in everything you do,” she says.

“You never have to be afraid to take on new challenges, because that is what keeps you in business. Having the opportunity to work directly with each of these incredible leaders has provided me with things that I don’t think I could have learned for a book or a class,” she said.

You May Also Like

New Rislone ‘DEF Crystal Clean’ Clears P20EE Codes

The product scrubs away crystal contaminants from the selective catalytic reduction systems of diesel cars, trucks and SUVs.

Rislone introduces DEF Crystal Clean™ Diesel DEF & SCR Emissions System Cleaner. The product scrubs away crystal contaminants from the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems of diesel cars, trucks, and SUVs.

Rislone DEF Crystal Clean dissolves crystal deposits throughout the entire SCR system, including the tank, pump, heater, sender, lines, injector, decomposition tube/reactor and mixer. It clears P20EE and related OBD codes and restores SCR function.

Optimize Tesla Performance With E-Fluids

Learn the differences between ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ e-axles. This video is sponsored by CRP Automotive.

Understanding Fuel Trims

The fuel trims are what govern what’s going on inside the engine. This video is sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper.

Understanding the OAD Pulley

Discover the ins and outs of OAD pulleys, their role in belt drive systems, and learn the tricks of diagnosis and replacement. This video is sponsored by Continental.

The Future of MEMA with Bill Long

MEMA looks to the future as it celebrates 120 years making a big impact.

Other Posts

How-to Complete Emissions Monitors Faster

This video will focus on how a product like CAT COMPLETE can improve the chances of completing the monitors faster. This video is sponsored by Rislone.

How Important is Regenerative Braking For EVs?

Regenerative braking helps to increase the overall efficiency and range of the EV, increasing the range of an EV by up to 20%.

BEV Brake Service Tips

Andrew Markel shares his latest service tips in the all new BendPak EV Garage video series.

Get to Know Performance Ride Technology

PRT is a global OE supplier with more than 5,000 products available in the United States.