Automotive Communications Council (ACC) Announces 2026 ACC Excellence Award Finalists

BETHESDA, Md. - April 13, 2026 - The Automotive Communications Council (ACC) is proud to announce the three finalists for the 2026 ACC Excellence Award. This distinguished award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and dedication in the automotive communications sector. The ACC Excellence Award, formerly the ACC Impact Award, recognizes an individual each year who excels professionally while contributing meaningfully to automotive communications.

This year's recipient will be announced at the Auto Care Connect Conference this May in Atlanta, Georgia, in conjunction with the Auto Care Marketing and Communications Awards ceremony. Recognition will be in front of nearly 1,000 automotive aftermarket executives and promotion across the association website, member newsletters to over 10,000 readers, social media, Auto Care Insider magazine as well as industry media. Recipients are also featured at AAPEX, in the Auto Care ON AIR podcast, and more!

The 2026 ACC Excellence Award finalists are:

Lance Boldt

Lance Boldt spent the first 20 years of his work life helping wealthy folks identify and articulate the financial aspects of their family goals and then devise a plan to make them happen. He worked in massive multinational companies and smaller businesses, including some he founded. His degree is in Financial Planning and Counseling.

Twenty years ago, Boldt co-founded AutoNetTV, which develops B2B and B2C communications materials for consumers and automotive professionals, focusing on sales, marketing, education, training and business development. He is responsible for the financial aspects of these projects, is part of the creative team, and writes video scripts.

A former ACC board member, Boldt also served as president of the organization. In the aftermarket, Lance has become a focused student of DEI best practices and can frankly and compassionately address DEI issues. His family has helped him understand why they are essential, as his children include three races, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+, and mental well-being concerns.

Jim Merle

Jim Merle is a seasoned media executive and publishing leader with more than three decades of experience driving growth at the intersection of content, audience, and revenue. As vice president and group publisher at Babcox Media, Merle has built a reputation for developing high-impact marketing and advertising strategies that deliver measurable results.

Over his 30+ year tenure with Babcox Media, Merle has progressed from regional sales manager to publisher and now group publisher-leading with a deep understanding of audience data, content marketing, and integrated sales strategy.

Merle's influence extends beyond his organization. He served as president of the Automotive Communications Council (2020-2021) after years on its board and contributed to the Auto Care Association's Marketing and Communications Advertising Committee. In recognition of his industry impact, he received Northwood University's Automotive Aftermarket Management Education Award in 2018.

Chris Messer

Chris Messer is the executive vice president at EndeavorB2B overseeing the Transportation Division, which includes the Vehicle Service and Repair Group and the Commercial Vehicle Group.

He oversees over a dozen media brands encompassing print properties, websites, events, webinars, video productions, podcasts, other media channels, a continuing education group, and an industry job board.

Messer has spent the lion's share of his career (over 19 years) dedicated to the audiences and advertisers that make up the transportation industry, all in an effort to create opportunities and drive value for all stakeholders and constituents. He is currently an ACC Council member and chair of the Membership and Recruitment Committee.

Learn more about the ACC at autocare.org/acc.