In this latest episode of AMN Drivetime, Babcox CEO Bill Babcox sits down Dr. Thomas Litzinger, who was named executive director of the University of the Aftermarket at Northwood University in October of 2022. An accomplished aftermarket executive with more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Litzinger also is a proud Northwood grad. He earned his bachelor of science degree in business administration there, and his master of science degree in organizational leadership from the DeVos Graduate School of Management. He also participated in Leadership 2.0, an executive training program through the University of Aftermarket.

Prior to this appointment, Litzinger served as a fleet relationship manager for Belle Tire Distributors Inc., as well as an automotive and heavy-duty aftermarket adjunct professor for the Adult Degree Program at Northwood University. Previously, he served as senior director of business development for MAS Industries; senior vice president of sales and operations at Advanced Innovative Technologies/Trakmotive; and executive director of Motown Automotive Distributing Inc. After he received his master’s degree, he went on to earn his doctorate in education from Liberty University. 

Needless to say, Dr. Litzinger is on the right seat on the bus, so to speak. Both his educational background and professional experience make this new role a great fit, one that he’s excited about, he says.

“I spent the majority of my career on the distribution side. I was fortunate to spend a few years on the manufacturing side, and then the last five with a tire distribution company. So I’ve been very fortunate to have a very broad-based experience in the aftermarket, which I think contributes to my ability to lead the University of the Aftermarket and to interact with our students. Nothing provides better experience than life. …I’m teaching based on personal experience, and this is real-life aftermarket.”

During the podcast, Thomas and Bill also talk about: 

• 04:38 – Growing up in Michigan and his very first job
• 06:00 – Why Litzinger calls himself a “lifetime learner”
• 08:42 – His hopes and goals for UofA
• 11:17 – What makes UofA a unique value proposition for Northwood students?
• 16:27 – Lightning round

AMN Drivetime is sponsored by Litens.