Women in Auto Care, a community of the Auto Care Association, has named the recipients of its 2019 Women of the Year Awards.
The awards include the Auto Care Woman of the Year, the Auto Care Woman of Excellence and the Female Shop Owner of the Year.
"The Women of the Year Awards honor three outstanding female leaders who have made significant contributions to the auto care community," says Tammy Tecklenberg, president, Women in Auto Care.
This year's honorees are:
* Auto Care Woman of the Year: Jennifer Maher, who is the dual-CEO of TechForce Foundation and America's Automotive Trust, two national non-profits that work "to promote America's car culture and drive tomorrow's workforce of technicians," according to Women in Auto Care officials;
* Auto Care Woman of Excellence: Cindy Frasca, the chief operating officer of Kukui, who has "spent the last seven years helping it grow" and "is a passionate and active member of Women in Auto Care, and a champion for the advancement of women within the automotive industry," and;
* Female Shop Owner of the Year: Jamie Carlson, the owner of Ervine's Auto Repair and Grand Rapids Hybrid in Grand Rapids, Mich., who "has kept ahead of technological changes to stay relevant and customer-focused." Her business received the 2018 ACE (Auto Care Career and Education) Award, which recognized her dedication to investing in her employees' growth.
Maher, Frasca and Carlson will be recognized during the Women of the Year Awards event on Nov. 5 at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev.
Jennifer Maher serves as the dually-appointed CEO of TechForce Foundation and America’s Automotive Trust, two national nonprofits working collaboratively to promote America’s car culture and to drive tomorrow’s workforce of technicians. TechForce leads the industry’s initiative to solve the technician shortage, and serves as one of the country’s largest scholarship and grant organizations, awarding nearly $2 million to support students pursuing technical education and technician careers. Jennifer brings 27 years of nonprofit management, marketing and strategic alliance expertise to the automotive world, having previously served on the national team of Make-A-Wish America, YMCA of the USA and The Nature Conservancy. Jennifer has personally raised over $100 million and launched the ESPN SportsCenter’s “My Wish” series, now in its 14th year.
Cindy Frasca is Kukui’s chief oOperating officer and has spent the last seven years helping it grow, culminating in the recent $27 Million strategic funding by SSM Partners. Cindy is responsible for the company’s financial functions including accounting, audit, treasury, and corporate finance, as well as its human resources activities. Cindy brings 20 years of experience in financial management, business leadership and corporate strategy to her role. She is a passionate and active member of Women in Auto Care and a champion for the the advancement of women within the automotive industry.
Jamie Carlson is the proud owner of Ervine’s Auto Repair and Grand Rapids Hybrid in Grand Rapids, Mich. She loves her job and is very proud of how her shop has kept ahead of technological changes to stay relevant and customer-focused. Her shop was awarded the 2018 ACE (Auto Care Career and Education) Award in recognition of her dedication to investing in the growth of their employees’ knowledge and skills through access to professional development and career opportunities. She is also nurturing the next generation by working closely with her daughter, Megan Dineff.
The Women of the Year awards are administered by Women in Auto Care volunteer committee members. The Woman of the Year is chosen based on her significant leadership and contributions to the auto care community throughout her career. The Female Shop Owner of the Year award is given to an outstanding woman who has a proven record of excellence in the automotive service industry, and the Woman of Excellence award recipient is the Women in Auto Care associate who has provided recent outstanding contributions to the auto care industry.
For more information about Women in Auto Care or the Women of the Year Awards, please visit autocare.org/women-in-auto-care or contact [email protected].
