As a part of our ongoing series, we highlight exceptional women in the industry. There is a misconception that the auto industry is only for men, and it is time to break this stereotype. The most effective way to encourage women to explore career opportunities is by highlighting the stories of women who have achieved success in the industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women comprise approximately 12% of all automotive technicians in the U.S. This figure, combined with an ongoing skilled labor shortage and a projected need for around 76,000 new technicians each year over the next decade to account for retirements and new job growth, highlights the importance of addressing this issue. One way to fill that gap is to increase the number of women in the automotive technician field. In this issue of Montana Auto Dealer, we are featuring Katie Jones, owner and controller at Courtesy Ford. We recently sat down with Katie to discuss her career, her experiences in the industry and how to encourage other women to choose this career path. The following are excerpts from our conversation. Please tell us about yourself. I was born and raised in Conrad, Montana. I left for college and got married to my husband, Aaron, who also happens to be from Conrad. We both decided to come back home to Conrad, as this is where our roots are. We have three boys — a senior, a junior and a sophomore in high school — so life is full and busy. They’re all involved in wrestling, which takes us all over the state, especially in the spring. Between the dealership and teenage boys, there’s never really a dull moment. How did you get into the auto industry? When the Ford dealership in Conrad came up for sale in 2015, my husband and I, along with my in-laws and a few business partners, decided to buy it. We officially took over on Jan. 1, 2015. Getting into the auto industry wasn’t something I planned on. I’m a licensed mental health therapist. That was supposed to be my career path. But when the dealership came up for sale, it felt like an opportunity that couldn’t be ignored. It’s really hard to find buyers for dealerships in small, rural communities. The previous owners were ready to retire and move on, and we didn’t want to see a business so important to our community disappear. I didn’t come on board full-time right away. About nine months after we purchased the dealership, I stepped in and started working there regularly. It was definitely a big shift — going from mental health to automotive — but some of those skills transfer more than people might think. Working with employees, managing personalities, navigating stress and communication — that background has helped a lot. I always joke that “I went to school for feelings, not numbers,” so I still triple-check my spreadsheets. Today, I’d probably describe myself as the office manager, although I do a little bit of everything. I handle warranty processing, prior approvals, submissions, closing work orders, payroll, payables, statements, accounts receivable, data entry and preparing financials for the Ford statement. I manage the bank accounts and field service warranty SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY Katie Jones Courtesy Ford 16 MONTANA AUTO DEALER
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