Denver Auto Parts Store Owner Selected 2006 NAPA/ASE Parts Specialist of the Year

ATLANTA--Oct. 5, 2005--NAPA AUTO PARTS and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) have named Michael G. Akens the 2006 NAPA/ASE Parts Specialist of the Year. Akens, who co-owns Bookcliff Auto Parts, Inc. in Grand Junction, Colorado with his wife, Donna, is the seventh individual to receive this national award, which provides special recognition to a parts professional within the NAPA system and the auto parts industry.

"The award helps confirm that I am reaching my own personal goals of providing a high level of service to my customers," said Akens. "I feel a staff should not only be knowledgeable and well trained but should provide a level of service that exceeds customer expectations by providing friendly assistance and a high level of expertise."

Akens, who leads by example, has six ASE certifications and has attended several NAPA Manufacturers' Schools and Clinics. Besides managing the daily operations of his Bookcliff location, Akens serves as Chairman of the Advisory Council for the Transportation Services Technology Department of the Unified Technical Education Campus (UTEC) of Mesa State College and Mesa County School District #51. He is also a member of the Joint Advisory Council for UTEC.

In nominating Akens, David Stanfield, general manager, NAPA Denver Distribution Center, said, "Mike has a passion for the auto parts business and understands the needs of his customers. He not only manages his store, but becomes personally involved with making sure customers receive a high level of service on a daily basis. It is not uncommon to walk into Mike's office and find him on the phone searching for a hard-to-find part for a customer."

"The Parts Specialist of the Year Award honors specialists dedicated to automotive service excellence," said Bob Susor, NAPA president. "The customer letters we received on Mike's behalf verified that he is certainly a deserving recipient of this prestigious award."

Akens is certified in the P-1, P-2, P-3, and P9 ASE parts specialist categories, with certifications in manual drive train and axles and brakes. He holds NAPA certification for electrical systems, filters and hydraulics, heating and cooling, paint, body and equipment, retail sales and underhood.

"Mike's positive attitude, desire for excellence--both personally and professionally, and his commitment to customers exemplifies the spirit of NAPA and the ASE," Susor said.

About NAPA AUTO PARTS

NAPA AUTO PARTS distributes parts, accessories, tools and equipment to 6,000 NAPA AUTO PARTS stores and more than 12,000 NAPA AutoCare Centers nationwide.

For more information about NAPA, visit www.NAPAonline.com

About ASE

ASE is a 33-year-old not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. The organization also communicates its message to consumers, the news media and other publics to promote informed decision making when seeking automotive repairs.