AMN Drivetime: NA Williams’ Roger McCollum (video)

Roger McCollum, chairman and CEO of NA Williams, began his long career in the automotive aftermarket at Ken Tool Co., in Akron, Ohio, where he served in a variety of sales and management positions, eventually advancing to national sales manager. He joined N.A. Williams Co. in 1984 and currently serves as chairman and CEO of the manufacturer’s rep firm.

This past November, the Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) presented its Outstanding Leadership Award to McCollum. Leader of the Year is bestowed upon an aftermarket professional who has contributed to the industry in a unique and significant way. In nearly 45 years of dedication to the automotive aftermarket, starting with his first job at a local parts store when he was a college student, Roger McCollum has distinguished himself as one of the industry’s top leaders and most committed advocates. McCollum joined N.A. Williams in 1984, after several years with other aftermarket companies. Over the years, he has held management roles of increasing responsibility and served as the company’s president from 1997 to 2017. He was elected CEO in 2007 and chairman of the board in 2014, and currently serves in both positions. McCollum has directed and integrated several mergers and acquisitions which have greatly expanded, diversified and strengthened the company’s business.

McCollum has a long and varied history of volunteer industry service, including positions on the Auto Care Association Board of Directors and Government Affairs Committee. He has also been active in AWDA with a term as Rep Advisor on the Board or Governors, as well as AWDA’s Manufacturers Advisory Council. McCollum has previously served on the Auto Care Association Events Committee and Manufacturers’ Representative Council.

Currently, McCollum serves as chairman of the Auto Care Association Audit Committee; Vice Chairman of its Political Action Committee (ACPAC) and is a member of the Auto Care Association Nominating Committee. Importantly, McCollum has encouraged and supported the volunteer activities of many NA Williams personnel over the years.

McCollum also serves on the Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast (AAAS) Board of Directors and the AAAS Employee Benefit Fund Board of Trustees. In addition, he serves on the Board of Trustees of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation and its Executive and Contribution Committees and chairs the Foundation’s Grant Review Committee.

In this AMN Drivetime podcast with host Bill Babcox, the two CEOs talk about McCollum’s drive to serve others. McCollum says he doesn’t see the volunteering he does in the industry as philanthropy. Philanthropy is something one does at church or in one’s community, he says. Giving back to this industry is something we should all be taking action on McCollum says. “I see it as a responsibility. I think all of us owe something back to the business where we earn our livelihoods,” he said.

Reflecting back on the host of well-known, influential mentors McCollum has learned from over the years, McCollum said he has been fortunate to work around some really brilliant people who took the time to share their knowledge with him, especially as a young professional starting out.

“The thing that helped me the most in those early years was, I learned how to be humble, and in my case, I had a lot to be humble about. My most successful sales technique was to just be a young kid who doesn’t know anything, who is looking for a break, and, I found that older people like to help young people. It’s just a natural part of life.”

Babcox and McCollum went on to talk about a number of other compelling topics, including the continued value of brand reputation and the fragility of brands.

“I think brands are as important today as they have ever been,” said McCollum. “You have to make sure that the image that you’re upholding speaks to what the expectations are of the customers. When that deteriorates it’s tough to get it back.”

Podcast Highlights:

McCollum talks about receiving the AWDA Leader of the Year award (1:08)
His thoughts on philanthrophy and responsibility (2:11)
Growing up in Akron, Ohio, where Babcox Media is based and being a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan (5:03)
First job in the aftermarket (7:03)
Industry mentors (11:22)
Game-changing moments (15:21)
The value of brands (18:35)
Funny stories from the Road (23:19)
The secret to success (28:00)

As MEMA commemorates its 120th anniversary, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the organization’s profound impact on the automotive aftermarket. Founded on March 2, 1904, MEMA has evolved from a modest gathering of parts manufacturers in Cleveland to a pivotal force in the global automotive landscape.

Over the decades, MEMA has been at the forefront of several key initiatives, including: the introduction of credit reporting services in 1914 to ensure financial stability within the industry; the co-sponsorship of the inaugural automotive service industry show in 1933, paving the way for what would become the AAPEX events; the establishment of divisions and market segments within MEMA to cater to the diverse needs of its members, from heavy-duty manufacturers to the aftermarket suppliers; and the advocacy for critical legislative measures, including the National Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, the USMCA in 2019 and today’s battle for the Right to Repair.