RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C – Zurich North America Commercial, a long-time sponsor of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) and the GAAS Scholarship Program, has continued its support of the GAAS Program by pledging $3,000 to fund three $1,000 GAAS scholarships for the 2010-2011 school year, in addition to their sponsorship of the Symposium.

“We are pleased to support the GAAS Scholarship Fund with these awards,” said Gerald O. Cecil, business development lead for Zurich's global automotive industry in the Americas. “It is truly an investment in our future and the future of the industry.”

“Zurich’s on-going commitment to the GAAS Scholarship Program helps to provide much needed financial assistance to students pursuing careers in the automotive industry,” said Pete Kornafel, chairman of the GAAS scholarship committee. “The support of companies such as Zurich is vital to the continuation of the GAAS Scholarship Fund’s goal of bringing new talent into the automotive aftermarket.”

The GAAS Scholarship Committee recently announced that it is presenting awards to 86 U.S. students for the 2010-2011 academic year. In its 15-year history, the fund has presented awards to approximately 1,500 students.

Funding for 2010 has also been provided by:

• ASE / Michael Busch Memorial Scholarships
• Breslow Foundation Scholarships
• Gates Corporation
• Leadership Development Network of AAIA (LDN)
• R.L. Polk & Co.
• Standard Motor Products
• Udell Family Charitable Foundation
• University of the Aftermarket Foundation

Additional scholarship funding comes from industry contributions from individuals, companies and foundations. Contributions can be made to the GAAS Scholarship Fund, c/o Susan Medick at AAIA, at 301-654-6664, or susan.medick@aftermarket.org.  

About Zurich

Zurich in North America is a part of Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich), an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland and employs approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries, including more than 9,500 employees in North America.

About the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium

The annual two-day Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium brings together industry leaders and experts to examine the issues and trends affecting the automotive aftermarket and influencing its future. GAAS 2011 will be held Wednesday and Thursday, May 18 - 19, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago. For more information, visit www.globalsymposium.org.  

About the GAAS Scholarship Program

The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the of the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Tire Industry Association (TIA) and University of the Aftermarket. R. L. Polk & Co. is the corporate sponsor of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium.

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