Representatives from the Global Automotive Symposium Inc. (GAAS) and the University of the Aftermarket Foundation have announced that the two organizations will merge. GAAS will dissolve as a non-for-profit organization and donate its net assets to the foundation. An official confirmation vote was held during a recent University of the Aftermarket Foundation annual board of trustees meeting.

Established with the support of Mort Schwartz, MAAP and the late Jack Creamer, GAAS was formed to raise funds for aftermarket scholarships and educational initiatives and thrived under the leadership of Schwartz, David Caracci, MAAP and Dennis Welvaert, MAAP. Due to an ever more crowded industry events calendar, leadership of the long-standing organization officially decided in 2015 to stop holding its annual symposium and focused its attention on Automotive Scholarships Central, its well-regarded scholarship program led by industry veteran Pete Kornafel, MAAP. Kornafel will continue to administer the scholarship program as chairman of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation education and scholarship committee.

“Because GAAS and the University of the Aftermarket Foundation share a similar mission, and the foundation has been the largest source of funds for aftermarket scholarships, it only made sense to join forces to achieve a common goal,” said Tim Lee, MAAP, chairman of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. “By donating its net assets to the University of Aftermarket Foundation, the proud legacy of GAAS will continue on. We thank Mort, Dave and Denny for 20 successful years of leadership and applaud Jack and Mort for their vision. Together, we begin the next chapter of their mission.”

For more information or to make a donation to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, visit UofAFoundation.com or call Barbara Cunningham at 816-584-0511. The University of the Aftermarket Foundation is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.