AARO Canada Appoints Marc Brazeau as President

The Automotive Aftermarket Repair Organization of Canada (AARO) has announced the appointment of Marc Brazeau as President, bringing decades of association leadership experience and a long-standing history within the Canadian automotive aftermarket.

Brazeau recently retired as President and CEO of the Railway Association of Canada (RAC), where he led strategic priorities across government relations, safety, and training for nearly seven years. Prior to his tenure in the railway sector, Brazeau led AIA Canada for many years, spearheading key national initiatives including the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer campaign, Right to Repair advocacy, and the Tool Tax Exemption Campaign for automotive technicians. He also served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Uni-Select Inc., where he built a national sales structure and led the launch of the “Bumper to Bumper” brand.

His appointment comes as AARO advances its strategic expansion from its Ontario foundation into a fully national association representing independent service and repair facilities across Canada.

Strengthening National Representation

Brazeau will work alongside AARO Executive Director Patty Kettles, reuniting a leadership partnership that spans more than two decades in the automotive aftermarket sector.

“Marc is a strong leader who understands the automotive aftermarket and the value an association brings to repair shops across the country,” stated Patty Kettles, Executive Director of AARO. “Together, we have an exceptional opportunity to build an organization that independent repair shops from coast to coast will be proud to join.”

“The automotive aftermarket has always been an industry that I love, and I am excited to return,” said Marc Brazeau. “Independent repair businesses are facing tremendous technological change, and strong representation, relevant training, and a unified national voice have never been more important.”

AARO Chair Steve Gushie noted that Brazeau’s extensive experience will support the association’s growth initiatives and strengthen its advocacy efforts on behalf of independent repairers nationwide.