APH Recognizes Outstanding Team Members at Annual Winter Conference

From left, Corey Bartlett, CEO of APH; Chelle Desmond, store manager at Auto Value Thorp; and Jason Vogel, president of APH Stores.

Automotive Parts Headquarters Inc. (APH) welcomed more than 500 store owners, managers, sales representatives, supplier partners and support staff to its annual winter conference, held under the theme “All In!”

A highlight of the three-day event was the awards banquet, which celebrated key accomplishments and recognized team members whose leadership and performance helped drive the company’s success in 2025.

“We are incredibly proud to recognize the team members who live the ‘All In’ mindset every single day,” said Corey Bartlett, CEO of APH. “Their dedication to serving customers, supporting one another and strengthening our company is evident in the way they show up and lead by example. They inspire those around them, and having the opportunity to pause and celebrate their achievements together makes the moment especially meaningful.”

Award recipients were selected through a comprehensive review process evaluating overall performance, leadership, and contributions to sales, operations and team success across the organization. Members of APH’s leadership team presented the awards.

The evening’s top honor, the 2025 Store Manager of the Year award, was presented to Chelle Desmond of Thorp, Wisconsin. Desmond has been part of the Thorp location since 2019 and has served as store manager since 2023.

“Chelle is a tremendous advocate for her customers and her team,” said Jarvis Ruthven, regional manager for east central Wisconsin. “She approaches every challenge with a solutions-first mindset and a genuine desire to help. Her leadership, perseverance and positive attitude make her incredibly deserving of this recognition.”

In addition to Desmond, APH recognized the following individuals for outstanding contributions in 2025:
• Impact Player of the Year: Dustin Kremer, Sioux Falls, SD
• Regional Manager of the Year: Mark Tangen, Northern Minnesota Region
• Outside Sales Representative of the Year: Tabitha Parker, Tomah and Sparta, WI
• Counter Sales Representative of the Year: Ben Blackmon, Minot, ND
• Driver of the Year: Loren Vandervilet, Central City, SD
• Support Person of the Year: Tim Neumann, St. Cloud Store Support Center
• BENCO MVP of the Year: Matt Kubasek, St. Cloud, MN
• Refinish Supply Co. MVP of the Year: Tom Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD

APH’s annual conference serves as both a strategic planning session and a collaborative forum, bringing together supplier partners and store teams to align on goals and initiatives for the year ahead. The “All In!” theme underscored the company’s shared commitment to partnership, performance and continued growth across APH’s family of stores.