Corey Bartlett Awarded AWDA Pursuit of Excellence Honors

Corey Bartlett

Corey Bartlett, president and CEO, Automotive Parts Headquarters Inc. (APH) of St. Cloud, Minnesota, was honored with the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association’s 2017 Pursuit of Excellence Award. Established in 1983, this award is presented exclusively to AWDA member companies or employees of those companies, in recognition of excellence in business performance and the setting of high standards as an example for others to follow.

Mauro Cifelli, vice president of sales and marketing, Vast-Auto Distribution Ltd., presented the award on behalf of AWDA.

Born and raised in St. Cloud, Bartlett grew up in an aftermarket family, where his grandfather and father were both involved in the family business, Automotive Parts Headquarters Inc.

After graduating from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, Bartlett quickly became involved in all aspects of the family business: operations, corporate and independent stores, sales and marketing and generally helping APH to grow and expand. He served as executive vice president until 2008, when he was named president. In 2016, he became president and CEO.

Since Bartlett joined the company full time, APH has tripled in size, undertaking a number of acquisitions. He values spending time with customers and suppliers — it is a critical piece to his relationship-building approach.

“Corey Bartlett is taking his company in new and exciting directions, which is exactly what’s needed in an industry like ours,” said Jeff Blocher, director of sales and marketing, MANN+HUMMEL Filtration Technology Group Inc.

Bartlett’s industry involvement has included service on the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance board of directors and the AWDA board of governors, including its chairmanship. Currently, he serves as chairman and lead fundraiser for the Auto Care Political Action Committee (ACPAC), where he continues to beat the drum to grow support for the PAC.

“We call him the ‘PAC Dog,’ because he is the leader and driving force behind ACPAC,” said Tim Trudnowski, Associated Jobbers Supply.

AWDA’s Pursuit of Excellence Award celebrates the setting of high standards as an example for others to follow. The success of those standards are directly reflected in the vibrant company now led by Corey Bartlett.