Import Vehicle Community Announces 2025 People Award Winners

LAS VEGAS - November 5, 2025 - The Auto Care Association's Import Vehicle Community announced the winners of its 2025 Import Vehicle Community People Awards. The awards were presented to the winners at the Import Vehicle Community Luncheon and Awards Program, sponsored by Worldpac, during the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) currently taking place in Las Vegas.

The Import Vehicle Community focuses on serving the needs of all businesses engaged in import vehicle and advanced technology products and services. The Import Vehicle Community People Awards honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the import automotive aftermarket.

The 2025 Import Vehicle Community People Award winners are:

Hall of Fame Award Recipient

Stephen (Steve) Bearden
President
H.B. International Marketing Services, Inc.

The Import Vehicle Community Hall of Fame award is intended to honor outstanding individuals in the import automotive industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness, and accomplishments have enhanced the stature of, and significantly contributed to, the import industry segment and its overall growth and progress.

Upon graduation from Michigan Technological University in 1970, Steve commenced his career with Walker Manufacturing Company (Tenneco) as a field sales representative. Within a year, he was promoted to headquarters in the National Account Sales Division, calling on the likes of Sears, Wards, Pennys and K-Mart. In 1978, he was promoted to Director of National Account sales.

In 1979, Steve saw the opportunity to own his own business and formed H.B. International Marketing Services, Inc. (IMS), an independent sales agency, representing the six Walker Europe companies, exporting back into North America. Steve continues to represent those companies today. Over the years, IMS has had the opportunity to represent the following additional companies: AP Borg and Beck - England; AP Lockheed - England; AP USA; PBR - Australia; Tormos - Netherlands; Bradi - Italy; Metelli - Italy; Metanede - Brazil; AP Italy; AP Spain; MAT Holdings; FTE - Germany; Delphi Europe; Monroe Europe; Delphi USA; Driv - USA; Stabilus - Germany - USA - Mexico - Romania

In 1997, Steve, Dave Callari and George Halford formed Global Parts Source, Inc., distributing certain products for the companies IMS represented while also becoming the largest distributor in North America of new OEM calipers sourced from TRW, PBR, Akebono, Bosch, Aisin, Nissan and Mando.

Earlier this year, Steve sold his shares in GPS to Dave in order to concentrate on his IMS business initiatives.

Steve has served on the Import Vehicle Community board since 2000 and was chairman from 2011 to 2015. Steve also served on the Auto Care Association board from 2016 to 2022.

Steve remains fully active in the industry today.

Industry Impact Award Recipient

Kevin Evoy
Consultant, Product/Category Management
Parts Authority

The Import Vehicle Community Industry Impact award honors individuals whose outstanding performance, integrity, dignity and conscientious approach to business affairs are demonstrated as a matter of routine.

The Industry Impact award has been a means by which our industry's high contributors and unsung heroes are credited and appropriately recognized.

Kevin Evoy is a seasoned automotive industry professional with over 25 years of experience in both the OEM and aftermarket sectors. He currently serves as a consultant for automotive parts product management at Parts Authority, where he plays a key role in shaping product strategy, optimizing supply chains, and strengthening vendor relationships across the organization's extensive portfolio.

Throughout his career, Kevin has led initiatives in product development, lifecycle management, and market analysis, bringing data-driven insights to complex business challenges. His expertise lies in aligning product performance with evolving industry demands, while maintaining a sharp focus on profitability and customer satisfaction.

Kevin is known for his strategic approach to vendor negotiations and his ability to navigate global sourcing challenges. He has worked closely with manufacturers and distributors to deliver innovative solutions and streamline operations, positioning businesses for long-term success in a highly competitive market.

At Parts Authority, one of the nation's largest automotive parts distributors, Kevin continues to drive value through cross-functional collaboration and operational excellence. His practical approach and deep industry knowledge make him a key contributor to initiatives focused on growth, efficiency, and sustained competitive advantage.

A lifelong automotive enthusiast, Kevin has a particular passion for German cars and the engineering precision they represent. This enthusiasm fuels his dedication to the industry and his ongoing commitment to quality and performance in every facet of his work.

Person of the Year Award Recipient

Mike Mohler
Executive Vice President and Chief Purchasing Officer
The Automotive Parts Services Group, LLC

The Person of the Year award honors an individual for their outstanding contributions to the industry during the past 12-month period preceding the selection of the current year's award recipient.

Mike Mohler is Executive Vice President and Chief Purchasing Officer at The Automotive Parts Services Group, LLC, a collaboration between The Pronto Network Purchasing Cooperative and Federated Alliance, LLC. Comprised of 333 warehouse distributor members, throughout the Americas, APSG's annual sales exceed $12 billion (USD).

Mohler is responsible for the overall management of The Group's vendor relationships and overall product and brand strategy. Mohler is also actively involved in many other corporate activities, including marketing, training, data-warehousing and strategic planning.

As a volunteer leader, Mohler has served the auto care industry as past chair of the Auto Care Association's Education Committee and co-chair of the Auto Care Association's Industry Task Force for Career Awareness. Currently, Mohler serves as a board member of the California Automotive Wholesaler's Association (CAWA), serving California, Nevada and Arizona. In addition to his board duties, Mohler has served as vice chairman of CAWA's Membership and Education Committee and as a Scholarship Reviewer as part of CAWA's Automotive Education Memorial Fund Scholarship Program. In 2018, Mohler was appointed to CAWA's executive board. In February 2021, Mohler was installed as chairman of the association's board of directors.

Nationally, Mohler has served the auto care industry, as a member of the Auto Care Association's Marketing and Communications Committee, where, in addition to his committee duties, Mohler served as PAC leader, in driving financial support for the industry's Political Action Committee. At the same time, Mohler accepted a position on the Auto Care Association's ACPAC committee, where he continues his involvement in helping to keep our industry relevant through consumer awareness and legislative interaction.

Young Executive of the Year Award

Mallory Long
Director of Vendor Relations & Marketing
SSF Imported Auto Parts LLC

The Import Vehicle Community honors outstanding young executives in the import automotive industry for their dedication, enthusiasm and accomplishments. This award recognizes the leadership and integrity of executives and team leaders under the age of 40.

Mallory Long is the Director of Vendor Relations & Marketing for SSF Imported Auto Parts, a leading warehouse distributor of European automotive products and tools for the independent automotive aftermarket. Celebrating 50 years of service to the automotive aftermarket in 2026, SSF pursues extensive expansion plans in both product availability and physical warehouse footprint.

Mallory started her aftermarket career with Corteco, a brand of Freudenberg - NOK. As part of her various leadership positions there, she was integral in setting up the product, sales, and marketing strategies for the North American headquarters and key accounts. One of those customers was SSF, which ultimately led to Mallory joining the company in 2023. In her current role, Mallory manages relationships with SSF's vendors, including leading the outbound marketing strategies and programs targeting the European shops. With a wide variety of responsibilities, she finds the fast-paced, customer centric and "all hands-on deck" culture of SSF to be what motivates her most.

Aside from her versatile position at SSF, Mallory enjoys participating in various sports leagues in her local community and spending time with her family, friends and dogs.

Learn more about the Import Vehicle Community, including upcoming events and awards at autocare.org/import.