Keynote Speaker: Tom Andrade, Everett's Auto Parts

Tom is co-owner Everett’s Auto Parts, a family-owned business founded in 1951 by Everett Andrade and now one of New England’s largest hybrid automotive salvage yards.. Everett’s Auto Parts operates a full-service yard, self-service yard and scrap metal facility, processing approximately 30,000 vehicles annually.

Thomas has been working in the automotive salvage industry for the past 25 years.  He serves as Secretary on the Executive Committee for the Automotive Recyclers Association and as Vice President for the Automotive Recyclers of Massachusetts.  He frequently speaks at industry events & trade shows.

Mike Kunkel

Mike has been involved in the automotive industry his entire life. His career began early where he worked in all facets of his family’s automotive businesses. His love of the industry and desire to grow inspired him to attend Northwood University in Michigan, where he graduated with a degree in Automotive Business Management.

Mike went on to become General Manager for American Auto Salvage in Ft. Worth, Texas, growing the company into a large and very profitable business. While immersed in this business, he became one of the instrumental founders of the Team PRP program. Mike is a seasoned and highly regarded leader and speaker at industry conferences. His industry experience, education, and expertise provide his clients with honest and accurate assessments of their business.

 As a leader of their Profit Team Groups, Mike is a numbers guy. He uses a basic and proven platform to teach his clients how to analyze their business by understanding their numbers. This approach provides his clients self-sustaining knowledge and skills to manage and grow their businesses.

Rob Rainwater

Rob has spent nearly three decades in Automotive Recycling Rob has proven his talent of transforming industry businesses into multi-million-dollar companies. His unique Thought Leadership approach has resulted in the development of strong leaders, teams, and automatic profit centers. By strategically planning and coaching his clients how to re-engineer processes, they learn how to take control of their businesses with long-term success and sustainability.

Rob started working in the industry as a delivery driver. He spent 23 years at Jerry Brown’s Auto Parts where he became General Manager. Along with the owners, he had a key leadership role in turning JBAP into a multi-million-dollar company. From there, Rob took on the General Manager role at Bishop’s Auto Parts in CT, where he increased sales by 400% over a 4-year period. Most recently, as General Manager of Cornell’s Auto Parts in NY, Rob has increased sales by 300% over a three-year period.

 Rob is a highly sought nationally known speaker in the Automotive Recycling industry. He is a leading voice and resource for his peers, and has served on the boards of ARA, ARANY, PRP-NE, and Team PRP National. In 2009 he was voted “Locator General Manager of the Year” by his industry peers.

Craig Gleerup

Craig is the Southeast Regional Human Resources Manager for LKQ Corporation. He joined the company in 2010 and is a certified Myers-Briggs (MBTI) professional training manager. He also authored the book The Type of Marriage that Endures, published in 2007, which focuses on improving relationships in marriage using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Before joining LKQ, he worked as a Business development Manager for Crossroads Services Group. He has a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. 

Miranda Wroten

Miranda began working at the age of 4, being homeschooled while actively working in a family-owned motorcycle shop. At the age of 18, she began working at Knox Auto Parts in Knoxville Tennessee. "The auto recycling industry is very interesting, and I was addicted immediately," she said. "I held several roles at Knox Auto, under the family-like leadership of the owners, the Denton brothers. Knox Auto is now proudly a part of Aesop Auto Parts. My current role is the Director of Operations for AESOP. I now live in the great state of Florida!" She spoke at the 2024 FADRA Convention and was invited back to share her ideas this year.

Heather Sauls

With a strong family legacy in automotive recycling, Heather has found a way to combine her unique background in film production and advertising with the world of auto parts, driving creative marketing strategies at Green Star Auto Recyclers and helping to elevate the company’s brand. Before joining Green Star, she was a film professor, sharing her expertise with aspiring filmmakers and students, and later worked at an advertising agency, where she honed her skills in branding and customer engagement.

At Green Star Auto Recyclers, Heather brings her creative flair to every project, always seeking innovative ways to connect with customers and grow the business. She believes in the power of storytelling and creativity to engage and inspire, making her marketing initiatives both effective and impactful.

Heather is married to Chris Sauls, who also works at Green Star, and together they have two kids, two dogs, and two unappreciative cats. 

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Chris Sauls

Chris Sauls, Operations Manager at Green Star Auto Recyclers, leads his team with passion and dedication. After honing his customer service skills in hospitality and restaurant management, Chris made a bold move into the world of auto recycling, where he could continue to thrive in a fast-paced environment and where problem-solving and quick thinking are essential.

Joining Green Star Auto Recyclers in 2011, Chris began to cultivate his skills under the guidance of his father-in-law, Neil Harrow. With a hunger for knowledge and a commitment to exceeding expectations, Chris embraced the opportunity to learn from the ground up. Today, Chris oversees all aspects of Green Star's operations, ensuring seamless workflow, maximized productivity, and unwavering quality. As part of a dedicated team, his keen eye for detail and relentless pursuit of efficiency have not only contributed to the company's growth, but also has solidified Green Star's reputation for excellence, driving them to innovate and improve upon the art of recycling. 

Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris cherishes his family life. Married to his wife Heather, he's a proud father of two and enjoys traveling, sports, and coaching his son's soccer team. This dedication to teamwork extends to his colleagues at Green Star, where he sees himself and his team as a cohesive unit striving for excellence, united in their mission to push boundaries and redefine industry standards. Chris is excited about the future and the impact Green Star Auto Recyclers can make in the evolving world of auto recycling.

Terry Thompson, Ole South Auto Salvage

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Danielle Aungst

Danielle works with LKQ/Keystone in Crystal River, selling parts and maintaining relationships with accounts. She is a native of Crystal River and got an Associate of Sciences degree in Business Management from Central Florida College. She worked at Enterprise Rent-a-Car before joining LKQ. 

Adam Cody

Adam Cody has worked in the automotive parts industry since 2004 and joined Cocoa Auto Salvage in March 2024. He spent a decade in retail parts, managing stores for NAPA, O'Reilly, and AutoZone, where he learned the value of building strong customer relationships. About 10 years ago, he found his true passion in recycled auto parts, taking a sales role at M&K—a decision that transformed his career. Adam is dedicated to finding the right part for each customer, seeing every sale as a unique challenge and collaboration to get vehicles back on the road efficiently and affordably.

John Kraus

John Kraus is an experienced automotive recycling parts sales manager at Green Star Auto Recyclers, with over 25 years in the industry. His career began in his family’s business, where he specialized in selling alternators and generators before transitioning into the broader world of auto recycling. With a deep understanding of the industry and a passion for connecting customers with quality parts, John has built a reputation for expertise and reliability.

Before his career in automotive recycling, John had a unique and dynamic background—working as both a professional wrestler and an ice sculptor. His diverse experiences have shaped his adaptability, resilience, and creative problem-solving skills, which he brings to every aspect of his work.

Outside of work, John enjoys watching ice hockey, indulging in old-school horror movies, and spending time with his family. He also has a soft spot for his two wiener dogs, who keep life entertaining.

Dakota Todd

Dakota Todd, Operations Manager and the trusty “swiss army knife” of Green Star Auto Recyclers, is an automotive recycling professional with years of experience in eBay sales, inventory management, dismantling operations, and digital growth. Starting his career at 19 with Greenstar Auto Recyclers, he quickly discovered a passion for the recycling industry. The ever-evolving nature of the business and the opportunities for innovation continue to drive him to master the art of recycling.

Outside of work, Dakota enjoys spending time with friends and family, biking, and exploring various artistic outlets. He is married with one son, sharing a lively household filled with beloved pets.