People are at the center of what powers the quick lube industry. PAMA recognizes that, and that’s why the organization hosts the PAMA Annual Awards to honor people from each corner of the auto service field. This year, the awards ceremony took place on Monday evening as part of PAMA’s President’s Reception. 

2026 PAMA Annual Awards: Recognition for Each Role 

PAMA has been offering a formal industry recognition awards program as early as 2021, introduced as the Courage and Leadership Awards. Since then, PAMA has expanded to offer awards across several more categories as a way to honor those within the quick lube industry. 

This year, each of these titles were awarded to the following individuals and companies: 

• Operator of the Year: Justin Cialella, Victory Lane Oil Change. This award is given to someone who has displayed leadership and mentorship, while making significant contributions to their organization, PAMA, and the industry. 
• Vendor of the Year: True Brand/Solid Start. This goes to a company that demonstrates significant support of and engagement in PAMA and the industry. 
• Advocate of the Year: Matt Webb, Premier Oil Change. This title is meant for an individual actively involved in PAMA's Government Affairs Committee, who has made significant advocacy contributions to the industry. This award is open to vendors. 
• Distinguished Service Award: Bill Floyd, Lucas Oil Center. An award for an individual with 20 or more years in the industry, demonstrating a legacy of service with significant contributions to PAMA and the industry throughout their career. This award is also open to vendors. 

Each of these award winners is based on nominations from others within the industry. Nominations were accepted by PAMA through the end of September. For all awards, candidates were nominated by others (no self-nominations), and were required to be members in good standing. Each award was reviewed and judged by the PAMA Awards Committee; therefore, current PAMA Awards Committee members were not eligible to win. 

The President’s Reception: An Evening to Remember 

The integration of iFLEX into AAPEX in 2026 has brought a fresh look to the proceedings. To begin the week, PAMA’s awards ceremony was presented during the association’s President’s Reception on Monday at 1923 Prohibition Bar inside The Venetian Resort's Grand Canal Shoppes. 

With a theme set in 1923, the event featured a Roaring '20s atmosphere accompanied by handcrafted cocktails, passed hors d'oeuvres, and sounds of the Jazz Age. Service Champ also sponsored a guided bourbon tasting for attendees to participate in.  

With music, food, and a spotlight on some of the most inspiring figures in the quick lube field today, the evening marked a special time each year for folks across the industry to come together and connect.