AMN Drivetime: Sue Godschalk, President of Federated Auto Parts

AMN Drivetime: Sue Godschalk (Podcast)

Learning from great leaders is better than anything taught in a book or a class, says Federated’s president.

In this episode of AMN Drivetime, Sue Godschalk, president of Federated Auto Parts, shares her journey being included in the founding of one of the nation’s leading program distribution groups – Federated Auto Parts, which was established in the mid-1980s.

Not necessarily a “car gal” per se, Godschalk says she was more intrigued by the business side of the aftermarket industry. That curiosity has served her well in her career. Over the years, she rose through the ranks at Federated, from her start serving as secretary and administrative assistant, to office manager, general manager, then corporate secretary and treasurer, then serving as VP before being named president of the organization in 2020.

“I was more interested in the inventory and operations aspect of the business,” she said. “I always found it challenging to understand which manufacturer sold which parts. I wanted to know what the function was of each of those parts for each vehicle. I basically wanted to learn everything – from how the part was ordered, and how the part traveled until it got to the end-users. That started my interest.”

You May Also Like

How AI Can Help Cameras Overcome Vehicle Vision Problems

Statistically, autonomous driving systems are already five times better than human drivers. AI will make them even smarter.

Would you go for a ride in a car that has no driver? Autonomous vehicles are making news every day and they're making some automotive professionals nervous. Are they the future of ride sharing? Are we destined to become a world of passengers? Today we're talking about taking a backseat and letting technology do to driving.

MEMA Leaders Chat About The Future

MEMA leaders sat down with Bill Babcox to share a few updates on the realignment of the association announced in November.

Johnny G, Bill Babcox, Talk Tire History on AMN Drivetime

Tire dealers know Gamauf as “Johnny G,” one of the most dynamic and respected individuals in the tire industry.

Tendeco’s John Lussier Sits Down with AMN Drivetime (Podcast)

Bill Babcox and John Lussier discuss supply chain challenges, the value of OE heritage, international business and more.

Transtar’s Neil Sethi, from Healthcare to Hard Parts (Podcast)

Throughout his career journey from medicine to an MBA, some key themes prevail for Sethi – the desire to serve and a passion to innovate.

Other Posts

The Future of MEMA with Bill Long

MEMA looks to the future as it celebrates 120 years making a big impact.

The Importance of Volunteering in the Aftermarket with Jon Owens

Owens describes what he’s learned from volunteering in the industry and his vision for AACF as its current president.

DRiV’s Jeff Koviak: Strategies for a Changing Aftermarket

A grad of Northwood University, Koviak delves into his career and how he’s grown with the changes at Tenneco and DRiV over the years.

CRP’s Mike Palm: How Close Customer Ties Yields Success

Palm has led the company’s aftermarket product management to ensure CRP’s success.