Centric Parts VP Named Person of the Year

Nov. 12, 2015

The Auto International Association (AIA) has named Centric Parts executive Steve Hughes as its Peter Klotz Person of the Year.

Hughes is vice president of governmental affairs, logistics and supplier development for Centric Parts. He was honored by AIA Chairman, Ira Davis at a banquet Nov. 4, 2015, held in conjunction with the Automotive Aftermarket Parts Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas.

He was recognized for all of his contributions to the automotive aftermarket, and in particular his work in closely monitoring labor negotiations earlier this year at West Coast ports and helping collect key industry data on the negative impact of the related slowdowns on the industry.

In addition to his work at Centric, Hughes has been committed to the international automotive community in its efforts to promote free and fair trade. He has been an active volunteer member of several industry associations and has organized and led several industry coalitions to provide input on anti-dumping investigations, even providing key in-person testimony before the U.S. International Trade Commission. Most recently, Hughes was appointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative Industry Trade Advisory Committee for the automotive industry (ITAC 2).

Hughes works with the other members of ITAC 2 to provide trade policy and technical advice, information, and recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce and the trade representative regarding trade barriers, negotiation of trade agreements, and implementation of existing trade agreements.  ITAC 2 also performs other advisory functions relevant to the development of U.S. trade policy as may be requested by the Secretary and the USTR, or their designees.

Hughes also is a contributing member of several other industry and governmental affairs organizations, including:

  • Auto Care Association (Governmental Affairs Committee)
  • Brake Manufacturers Council (BMC Council member)
  • Motor Equipment Manufacturers Association (Governmental Affairs Committee)
  • CAWA (Manufacturers Advisory Council and Public Affairs Committee)
  • SAE Brake Dynamometer and Brake Friction committees

For more information about Centric Parts visit www.centricparts.com.