To say it’s been a busy summer for Orion Township Trustee Mike Gingell would be an understatement.
Gingell spent most of his free time campaigning for the Republican nomination for Oakland County Commissioner for District 3, defeating incumbent Republican Eric Wilson on Aug. 8.
But winning the primary, and perhaps eventually the Nov. general election, probably won’t be the biggest news of Gingell’s year.
He recently learned he will be honored with the Young Leadership & Excellence Award by the Automotive Hall of Fame, at an induction ceremony on Oct. 3.
The Automotive Hall of Fame, located in Dearborn, recognizes four individuals, 35 years or younger, with the award each year.
The award is given based on merit in education, experience and community involvement.
Throughout his 11 years at R. L. Polk & Co., Gingell has led a number of significant contributions to the automotive aftermarket and commercial vehicle industries.
But likely the biggest factor in Gingell receiving the award has to do with an award he helped to create early last year.
For years, there has been an inventory management problem in the aftermarket industry, with little efficiency and collaboration creating an abundance of excess parts waste.
Gingell and his team at Polk thought it would be beneficial to create an award to recognize people making an impact on the issue, and thus the Aftermarket Inventory Efficiency Award was born.
‘It was something that started small, with just a humble idea, and turned into, in just its second year, a sought-after award in the industry,? he said.
The award has been presented at the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium, with Federal Mogul being honored last year, and Affinity this year.
‘It’s not every day you get to create an award that becomes part of the industry,? Gingell said.
He hopes the award will educate others, in addition to recognizing those addressing the problem.
‘It wasn’t expected, but it certainly is appreciated,? Gingell said of receiving an award as a result of his work.
‘I had a great team working with me,? he added, noting that he hopes to honor his team during his speech at the Oct. ceremony.
‘I just thought I was doing my job,? Gingell said. ‘I’m doing it to make a difference, not to get recognition.?
He was also proud of the fact that the inventory efficiency award brought together some of the most respected people in the automotive industry to serve on its committee.
‘Getting people to come together and focus on a common goal is probably what I’m most proud of,? Gingell said.
And in his campaign for county commissioner, that is what Gingell has promised to be about as an elected official, too.
‘It’s all about keeping your focus and executing your plan,? he said of the campaign trail.
Gingell will now against Democratic candidate Kate Zielinski in the Nov. Zielinski, from Rochester, ran unopposed in the primary.
‘I had gotten a lot of good, positive response all along the way,? Gingell said.
He added that he was not surprised by the results, though some viewed his win over an incumbent as an upset.
‘You never know in politics until the votes are counted,? he said.
‘I had a lot of people working on my behalf and that’s how I won,? Gingell added. ‘You have to have a good team, and that’s what I have.?
Gingell added that he had people working on his campaign whom he didn’t even know, but were committed to his ideas and goals for the future.