Brian Cruickshank, MBA

Brian Cruickshank is a nationally recognized expert on the motor vehicle aftermarket, with broad knowledge and deep contacts within key industry channels. His industry experience guides sell-side/buy-side transactions and diligence processes for strategic and financial investors. For 30 years Brian has been active in the automotive industry, serving on committees within the Auto Care Association, the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Board of Governors and the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. He currently serves on the California Automotive Wholesale Association (CAWA) Board of Directors as Treasurer. The automotive industry has honored Brian with the AIA Young Executive of the Year Award, AWDA Pursuit of Excellence Award, Northwood University Education Excellence Award, Mort Schwartz Award and the SPARK Award. Brian completed undergraduate degrees at The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) and an executive MBA at Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School of Management (Midland, MI). He earned his Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) and Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations in 2006 and 2010 respectively. He previously served in the United States Marine Corps as a non-commissioned infantry officer. In partnership with Dr Jane Goodall and Huntington Hospital (Pasadena, CA), Brian serves on the board of the Phil Simon Clinic Tanzania Project. Although unrelated to his automotive career, Brian is an accomplished photographer, whose work is represented worldwide by Getty Images. He is a past member of the Pasadena Society of Artists, the Los Angeles Center for Photography and in 2016 he completed a Hasselblad Masterclass in Ethiopia's Omo Valley with legendary National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry. He has photographed humanitarian aid projects for NGO and medical organizations in South America, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.