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| WOMEN'S AUTOMOTIVE ASSOCIATION
INTERNATIONAL
2006-2007 GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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| P.O. Box 2535
Birmingham, Michigan 48012
Phone 248-646-5250 · Fax 248-646-6721 |
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Julie Becker-Myers - Director University and School Relations
 Julie Becker-Myers is the Director of Automotive Systems Technology at Northwood University. Julie started her career in the automotive industry after graduating from Northwood University with a BBA in Marketing and Management with The Reynolds and Reynolds Company. She served as a Customer Training Consultant of the Charlotte, NC region where she instantly found her love for the industry. Traveling and training on the ERA system Julie was able to expand her knowledge of the automotive industry daily while furthering others education on the system.
Julie then left The Reynolds and Reynolds Company for the Fuccillo Automotive Group of Adams, NY. She served as the System Administrator for the entire automotive group from New York to Nevada. During her time with the group Julie was responsible for system security and served as the support liaison between the employees and The Reynolds & Reynolds Company.
In 2001, Julie had the opportunity to return to her alma mature, Northwood University, in her current role where she is responsible for the development and implementation of all automotive technology classes for all three main campuses. She serves as the university's Reynolds and Reynolds liaison and is responsible for all technical support for the system. In addition Julie also serves as an Adjunct Faculty member for the Mathematics Department and Automotive Marketing Departments.
While working full-time at Northwood she also received a Master's of Science Administration from Central Michigan University with a concentration in Leadership. She resides in Midland, MI, with her husband Rob and son Bailey.
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Heather Becklin - President Student Memberships
 Heather
is a 22-year-old recent graduate from Northwood University's Midland,
MI campus with a Bachelors of Business Administration concentrated in
Banking & Finance and Automotive Marketing Management. In the past
Heather has been the President of the Zeta Sigma chapter of Alpha Gamma
Delta sorority, Senior Class President for Northwood University's
Student Government Association. And the Chief Financial Officer for the
42nd Northwood University International Auto Show and currently is the
President of Student Membership for Women's Automotive Association
International. Her awards include; Delta Mu Delta National Honor
Society, Vatta Benett Dow Humanitarian Award, Student Northwood
University's Student Senate award and the Who's Who Among American
College Students. In the summer of 2005 she worked as an intern at
Sonic Automotive and currently she is employed with Ford Motor Company
in the Ford College Graduate Program.
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Heather Conary - Director Women
Dealer Relations
Heather Conary is a founding partner of Illumination Design Creative Services, based out of Orrington, Maine. She also works at Downeast Toyota-Scion-Buick in Brewer, Maine, serving as a creative consultant to the management team. Heather is currently attending the University of Maine's Orono campus, working towards a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. She also plans to continue, and obtain her MBA.
Heather has published articles in AutoSuccess Magazine, an automotive trade publication, as well as online at SitePoint and SEOChat. These articles demonstrate her knowledge of both the automotive industry and of marketing tactics and design strategies. Heather brings her marketing experience, professional knowledge, and her willingness to learn and adapt to WAAI, and serves us as the Director of Women Dealer Relations.
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Jody DeVere - President
Ms. Jody DeVere is President of Ask Patty.com, Inc. and comes to us with more than twenty five years of achievement in sales and marketing leadership including ten years developing web based business solutions across diverse industries. DeVere is currently the President of the Woman’s Automotive Association International , the premier women’s organization for women automotive professionals, a member of the Car Care Council Women's Board, a member of the California State Advisory Board for SkillsUSA , and a member of the SEMA Businesswomen's Networking Association.
DeVere’s background includes leadership positions as National Director of Sales for the Automotive Division of CallSource, National Director of Sales and Marketing for HemaCare , Director of Sales and Marketing for RiverOne,Inc., a subsidiary of I2, founder and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Memory Network a division of MediaGrif Interactive, Inc. and National Director of OEM Sales and Marketing for Packard Bell, CalABCO division.
DeVere is based in Southern California and has three children and four grandchildren.
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| Candace Fochuk-Barey - Canada International Director |
 Candace
Fochuk-Barey is Canadian Consumer Insights Manager within the
global marketing team at Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited.
From 1997 to 2001, she was the Marketing Manager for Special
Markets, responsible for overseeing the positioning of the company's
brands and services to a diverse group of consumers.
Ms. Fochuk-Barey's role grew from her groundbreaking appointment
as Women's Marketing Manager at Ford of Canada in May 1997 -
a first for the automaker. Since joining the company in 1979,
she has been successful in a variety of management positions
with Ford, including General Marketing, Vehicle Sales, Parts
Sales and the Customer Service Office.
As a founding member of Ford of Canada's Women's Council, she
has worked to help Canada's second-largest automaker better
connect with women through changes in its products and services.
In response to an industry-wide issue, she has led a successful
project to recruit and retain women as sales consultants in
Ford and Lincoln dealerships.
Responsible for securing and managing Ford of Canada's corporate
sponsorship of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's CIBC
Run for the Cure for the past five years, Ms. Fochuk-Barey has
rallied for the participation of company employees and many
of its 504 dealers in the Run, which takes place in 31 cities
across Canada.
She has served on the organizing committee of the Canadian Woman
Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for 5 years. In 2000, Ms. Fochuk-Barey
was appointed to Ford of Canada's Diversity Council. Her expertise
in the area of marketing to women is well documented and her
work is the subject of a case study in a new marketing text,
Real People, Real Decisions. Her recent speaking engagements
include Chatelaine's Marketing to Women Conference and an appearance
on WTN's "Head Over Wheels".
Due to her efforts in making the Women's Automotive Association
International (WAAI), Canadian Chapter a reality, Ms. Fochuk-Barey
was appointed the first Chair of the Canadian Chapter in 1998
and was unanimously elected the first international Chair of
the WAAI. To date, 15 young women have been the recipients of
WAAI Canada scholarships for automotive studies.
Ms. Fochuk-Barey earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at McMaster
University in 1976 and subsequently studied in the MBA program
there. She resides in Burlington, Ont. with her husband and
three children. During her spare time, Ms. Fochuk-Barey manages
her daughter's ringette team. |
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Kathy Gilbert - President Chicago Chapter
Kathy Gilbert is the Director of Sales and Business Development within ADP Dealer Services Division based in Hoffman Estates, IL. In her current position, Ms. Gilbert is nationally responsible for the minority automobile dealer segment. Ms. Gilbert is responsible for helping the minority dealer market achieve long-term growth. In addition to her relationship with the minority automobile dealers, she has developed strong relationships with the automotive manufacturers and dealer associations. She strives to strengthen ADP’s relationship with minority dealers and key segment influencers through involvement in regional and national dealer meetings and by developing business solutions and services to address the specific needs of the minority dealer segment.
Ms. Gilbert is also president of the Chicago Chapter of the Women’s Automotive Association International, National Sales Network, National MBA Association, and the Association of Information and Imaging Management. Ms. Gilbert has received recognition as Marketer of the Year, Presidents Club and Key Contributor.
Ms. Gilbert holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Illinois Wesleyan University, in Business Administration and Computer Sciences and her Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems from the University of Dayton.
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| Karen Payton - Vice President of Diversity |
Karen Payton is Vice President of On Wheels, Incorporated, a
multicultural multimedia company that publishes African Americans
On Wheels. Asians On Wheels and Latinos On Wheels magazines,
produces The Urban Wheel Awards, The Urban Wheel Dealer Awards
and maintains onwheelsinc.com. On Wheels, Incorporated is also
the parent organization of the Edward Davis Education Foundation.
Today On Wheels, Inc. is a multi-million dollar communications
company and the leading voice among media on African-American
related automotive historical accomplishments, current issues
and exciting new trends.
www.onwheelsinc.com
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| Lyn St. James - Vice President Women in Motorsports
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When Lyn St. James completed her first Indy 500 at the age of 45, she was just the second woman in history to race in the event. Some doubted that a woman could keep up with male drivers, and Lyn struggled to get the sponsorship she needed to race. She took eleventh place, and became the first woman to be selected Indy 500 Rookie of the Year.
Fueled by inspiration and limitless motivation, Lyn St. James managed to rise through the ranks and eventually become known as the American Woman Racing Icon of the Century. She is undoubtedly a testament to the power of determination and positive thinking.
Lyn St. James Personal Facts:
| Birthplace: |
Willoughby, Ohio |
| Residence: |
Phoenix, AZ |
| Daughter: |
Lindsay Lessman |
| Education: |
Graduate of Andrews School for Girls in Ohio and majored in business. Earned a piano-teaching certificate from the St. Louis Institute of Music. |
| Debut in Racing: |
1973 Amateur Sports Car Club of America |
www.lynstjames.com
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| Lorraine Schultz - Founder/CEO |
 Lorraine
Schultz began making history during a time in the automotive
industry when there were probably 400 men to ever one woman
employed. In 1999, the Automotive Hall of Fame awarded its Distinguished
Service awards to women for the first time since 1945. Lorraine
Schultz, a member of its Board of Directors and Founder of the
Women's Automotive Association International, had a lot to do
with that decision.
Lorraine began her career in the automotive industry when she
acquired an interest in the Detroit Model Bureau, a company
that supplied talent for the various auto shows. When the company
dissolved, Lorraine became the Executive Director for the AutoLeather
Guild of America where she worked for 19 years managing the
marketing for three major tanners who supplied leather for the
automotive industry. This tenure provided her with the opportunity
for extensive traveling to auto shows all over the world including
France, Switzerland, and Japan.
In 1995, following the dissolution of the Leather Guild, Lorraine
introduced the Women's Automotive Association (WAAI) to the
automotive industry. She has received many leadership and humanitarian
awards from organizations such as the American Lung Association,
the National Association of Women Business Owners, and Women
in Communications. She has served as a Board member and volunteer
to many companies and organizations such as Society of Automotive
Analyst, Women's Economic Club of Detroit, March of Dimes, Juvenile
Diabetes Foundation, Michigan Opera Theatre, Salvation Army,
Kendall School of Art and Design, and The Detroit Metropolitan
Woman Magazine. Lorraine is presently the Executive Director
for the WAAI, and a member of the Board of Directors for the
Automotive Hall of Fame and Ferris State University. |
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| Erica Sietsma - Membership Director |
Erica Sietsma entered the automotive industry just after her graduation from Cornell University with a double concentration in Business and Communications and took a position working for the number one automotive customer relations management software company, Autobase.
Erica has since worked for CallSource one of the top Call Tracking providers to the automotive industry. Erica recently became a corporate trainer for dealership sales and sales management for one of the largest automotive dealer groups in the country, Atlantic Automotive, which has 67 dealerships on the East Coast.
In her spare time, she runs a book club at the local Barnes and Noble, is the Membership Director for the WAAI, spends time with her parrot "Olive," and volunteers for Girls, Inc.
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| Mary Wetzel - Vice President Scholarships |
 Mary Wetzel is part owner and co-founder of TekModo LLC, located in Elkhart, Indiana. TekModo is a company that specializes in material composites and technological tracking for the Recreational Vehicle, Marine, Cargo, and Transportation industries. Prior to starting this company, Mary was an accomplished executive in the automotive industry. Mary spent more than 11 years with DaimlerChrysler. Her previous position was Senior Manager for Business Management and Market Intelligence. Prior to working for DaimlerChrysler, Mary worked for General Motors in different capacities, including Pontiac Motorsports Engineering. Mary also had retail dealership experience as she was the top salesperson for a Saturn dealership. Mary earned her BBA from Northwood University, specializing in Automotive Marketing, Automotive Service Management and Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude. Her greatest achievement was being inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2004, receiving the Young Leadership and Excellence Award.
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| Lynn M. Wilhelm - President Emeritus |
 Lynn
Wilhelm continues to expand her role within the WAAI and currently
serves as the organization's President. She has been a member
of the WAAI since 1999 and prior to her current position served
as the WAAI's International Secretary.
Lynn Wilhelm is the Development Director at the Coalition
of Temporary Shelter. Her role is to maintain and create funding
opportunities including direct mail programs, develop corporate
partnerships, fundraising events and major gift programs.
Many of COTS supporters are in the automotive industry.
Ms. Wilhelm is President of LW Associates, an executive event
marketing services company. She started her company in 2001.
Her clients include the Michigan Wine and Food Festival, Lupus
Foundation, Cruisin' Gratiot, Eyes on Design and Gallagher
Benefit Services of Michigan. Ms. Wilhelm served as Marketing
Director at the Automotive Hall of Fame, Michigan State Fair
and Great Water Yachts / Great Events prior to the launch
of her company. |
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| Sandra Wingate - Executive Vice President |
Sandra Wingate combines being a visionary with strong leadership
skills. She provides an essential service to the automotive
industry. For 28 years she excelled in this industry and realized
her great success was the result of her exceptional customer
service skills. In 1998 she launched Concept Schools, Inc.,
an innovative educational center offering training, placement,
and consulting for Service Advisors and Dealerships. Over the
past seven years she has assembled a remarkable team of experts
to deliver her unique training programs that foster extraordinary
results, both professionally and personally. Her 5-week Service
Advisor training program helps people get into the industry
with extensive and real-life training. Both ADP & Reynolds
and Reynolds systems are trained. "We offer the automotive
industry an avenue for hiring top quality trained Advisors."
The school also offers a 2-day seminar and on-site training
for existing Service Advisors and Dealerships designed to create
change towards a more customer service attitude. This hugely
successful program is a very innovative, hands-on experience
that has created a demand from Dealerships across the country.
My goal has always been to provide training for the Fixed Operations
end of the Dealerships." Sandra's curriculum reflects her
philosophy that the industry should be focused on "Servicing
the Customer" rather than just "Servicing the Vehicle."
She has been so successful that more than 85 percent of her
business comes from referrals. |
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WAAI: Official Web Site of the Women's Automotive Association International,
© 2003
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