Pub. 1 2019-2020 Issue 3

How has the automotive industry changed in the last five years? The year 2015 seems like a long time ago. Even Janu- ary seems like a long time ago. What do you think will be some of the dominant trends within the automotive industry in the next 5-10 years? Electric cars and autonomous cars. There’s a lot of leg- islation and law to work through, but the shift is going to happen in the next 5-10 years. What have been some of the major challenges in creating a balance in customer branch and digital-based transactions? I think the major challenge is that the consumer forgets that a person is on the other side of the computer. Customers become very aggressive and forward sometimes when they are using a computer to communicate with us. The other is just keeping up with the technology. There’s always something new just around the corner. What is the biggest impact of being a CFADA member? What makes it beneficial? Being part of an organization that supports your industry, helping to improve collective challenges as a core group versus individually. Also, serving the community and providing events like the auto show to the locals so they can see the latest and greatest improvements that our industry has to offer. As incoming chair, what are your goals for CFADA and the local auto industry as a whole? I would like to see the technician recruiting initiative continue to grow, and through this initiative, I would like to build functioning partnerships with the local automotive schools. These partnerships will help backfill holes in technician staffing and, with results, improve member engagement. If you look back at your career and life, what would be three things that you have learned and that you would pass onto a younger member within the automotive industry? I only have one. My advice would be that if there’s a question that needs to be asked, and or there’s a direc- tion where you need to go or an initiative you need to take, and you get a pit in your stomach, then you know it’s right. Sometimes we have to be uncomfortable to find success. What are some professional moments that make you the proudest? I love mentoring — I love having opportunities to mentor those with identified potential and I also love to watch those I have mentored get promoted and find success. Was there an “aha” moment in your career that defined you? My “aha” moment is probably yet to come. What is your favorite way to spend your free time? Do you have any unusual hobbies? I work to travel. I love to travel and seek new adven- tures. All who know me know I enjoy spending time with my family and spoiling my sister’s children. continued from page 7 8 Pub Yr 1 2019-2020 | Issue 3