02/04/2025
Letter from Randy Buller
To my Parts Authority family, friends, colleagues, customers and vendors:
It is with great excitement, happiness, enthusiasm– and a little sadness – that I am announcing that I will be stepping into the role of Chairman of Parts Authority effective March 3, 2025. Clark Hale, an eminently qualified leader and an excellent choice for Parts Authority, will be our next CEO. But more on Clark later.
I am excited for this next chapter because with Kohlberg & Company’s support, I am continuing my career on my own terms. I have been working at Parts Authority since 1980, and I am approaching my 65th birthday next month. Since 2020, my plan was to continue to perform my duties as CEO for five years and to take a fresh look at my life at that time. Well, that time is here, and it’s time for me to slow down, just a little bit. In my new role, I will continue to be fully available, have my office at headquarters in New Hyde Park, and continue to work with those great folks that I have been working with for the last 45 years.
I am a little sad because this marks the end of an era for me. I have been CEO of Parts Authority since the early 1990s and with the amazing help of my outstanding teammates and partners, I have been in the captain’s seat that entire time. A quick word about my partners – Yaron Rosenthal, David Wotman, and Steve Yanofsky – I can’t remember a single time, in all those years, that they ever second guessed a single move. Yes, there were times we disagreed, but they were – and are – the ultimate teammates and leaders. I am so grateful for them and am thrilled to continue to work with them. Similarly, the team we have built at Parts Authority is unmatched. I have been on a lot of teams in my life, and this team is so committed to our company, team members and customers. It is the best in the business. I have been told many times that people work so hard here because of their loyalty and appreciation of me, and I humbly say to all of you – thank you so much for all your efforts. I notice them. I acknowledge them. I appreciate them. And I love you all for that. It means so much to me.
Another thing worth mentioning is that our commitment to our vendors is rock solid. As I saw this day coming, we took steps to grow, develop and train our supply chain team and moved both industry veterans and new talent into top leadership positions at Parts Authority. I wanted our team to experience first-hand the real reason why we pick our vendors. It’s not always about price, it’s more about accountability, relationships, and trust. I am quite sure that our whole supply team sees what I see. I also know that Clark recognizes this and looks forward to meeting and working with each of you.
Moving forward, I will continue to work hard at Parts Authority, just as I have since 1980. I will still be on board as a full-time team member, and I will continue to support this company any way I can. I will continue to work with many of you and hope to share with any of you who want to hear it, tidbits from years of experience in the parts business and life. I’m not going anywhere.
I do want to emphasize that Clark will be the new CEO and will be in the captain’s seat. Clark will be calling the shots in partnership with the executive leadership team. I look forward to working with Clark, and I know he looks forward to working with all of you. Clark has been a board member of Parts Authority and already has worked with me and many of our team leaders. I know this feels like a big change, but I am very positive and excited for the future. I look forward to continuing to do what I love, with people I love, while taking a small step back.
Finally, to our customers. My partners and I have worked every day of our lives to make Parts Authority a little better each day. I know it doesn’t always seem that way, but I can assure you that we have. I am so proud of what we have built and at the end of the day what we built is for Parts Authority to be the best business partner for our customers. We have the best combination of parts, brands, service, prices, commitment, and team members of any of our competitors. And we will keep getting better every day because that’s the only thing we know how to do. That is so meaningful to all of you, our valued customers, without who none of this would have been possible.
Thank you all for the last 45 years and looking forward to the next 45!!!!
Randy Buller