Automotive Communications Council (ACC) Announces 2026 ACC Excellence Award Winner

ATLANTA - May 13, 2026 - The Automotive Communications Council (ACC),a community of the Auto Care Association, today announced its 2026 ACC Excellence Award winner at the annual Auto Care Connect event currently taking place in Atlanta, Georgia. This distinguished award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and dedication in the automotive communications sector. The ACC Excellence Award, formerly the ACC Impact Award, recognizes an individual each year who excels professionally while contributing meaningfully to automotive communications.

The 2026 ACC Excellence Award recipient is Lance Boldt, vice president, production development, AutoNetTV Media Inc.

"ACC was my baptism into the industry," said Boldt. "As I sought mentors and associations, Tom Marx suggested ACC. I went to the 2006 meeting. Barry Harris was the president and took me under his wing. At the end of the conference, he asked me what I was doing that weekend. I told him that we were leaving for my son's 'Make a Wish' trip to Disney World. When he passed a few months later, ACC flooded me with love and support. It has been a second family ever since. It is an association that continues to engender connection along with our professional development. ACC has my heart. This award is treasured. Thank you."

Boldt spent the first 20 years of his work life helping wealthy individuals to identify and articulate the financial aspects of their family goals and then to devise a plan to make them happen. He worked in massive multinational companies and smaller businesses, including some he founded. Boldt holds a degree in financial planning and counseling.

Twenty years ago, Boldt co-founded AutoNetTV, which develops Business-to-Business (B2B)and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) communications materials for consumers and automotive professionals, focusing on sales, marketing, education, training and business development. He is responsible for the financial aspects of these projects, is part of the creative team and writes video scripts.

A former ACC board member, Boldt also served as president of the organization. In the aftermarket, he has become a focused student of DEI best practices and can frankly and compassionately address DEI issues. Boldt's family has helped shape his understanding of why these issues are essential, as his children include three races, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ and mental well-being concerns.

To learn more about the Auto Care Association's awards and other industry recognition opportunities currently open, visit autocare.org/awards.