Women in the Auto Industry
Words by Terrell Manasco | Images by Ryan McGill
The automotive industry has been primarily dominated by men since the first Model A’s and Model T’s rolled off the assembly line. For decades, the concept of female auto technicians, mechanics, designers, and salespersons was simply inconceivable. That has changed dramatically within the past several years. Today, many women enjoy highly successful careers in the automotive industry. Here are a few of them:
Allison Goforth
Sales Professional, Carl Cannon Chevrolet Buick GMC
How I got into the car business: “After working in the restaurant industry for 10 years, it was time to try something new. I always thought of serving and bartending as sales. It doesn’t matter what you sell—drinks, insurance, real estate, cars, and trucks—you’re in the ‘people business,’ and that’s what I know and love. People! In November 2020, I applied for a sales position at a dealership in town and dove right in. Shortly after, I made the switch to Carl Cannon and haven’t looked back. My dad also had a huge influence in my decision. I grew up watching him thrive and become the best salesman ever (life insurance agent), and who doesn’t want to be just like their dad?”
Thing I like most about my job: “I love the connections I get to make and the people I get to meet daily. My customers are the absolute best part of my job. My co-workers are great as well. I truly believe I am working beside some of the best in the business and I’m blessed to have an opportunity to watch and learn all I can from them.”
One thing I want people to know about me: “I want to be your car sales-WOMAN the next time you’re in the market for a vehicle!”
Contact:
Cell: (205) 522-8432
Work: (205) 384-5561
Angie Mitchell
Office Manager, Jasper Auto Sales
How I got into the car business: “I was making a car payment at Waldrop Motors in 1994 when Ronnie, the owner, asked me if I would like a job. I was 19 years old. I learned how to do paperwork by looking at the previous secretary's copies. In May 1995, Debbie Woods asked me if I would like to come work for her and her husband, Jim, at Jasper Auto Sales. I started that May and have been with them since then.”
Thing I like most about my job: “The thing I like most about my job is the people I work for and with. We are truly a family. Working at Jasper Auto Sales allows me the flexibility to be a hands-on mother. When my son, Cade, was born, Jim insisted that I bring him to work instead of putting him in a daycare. Cade came to work with me every day until he was almost a year old. I never missed a school drop-off, pick-up, party, or sporting event. Jim knows the value of family and encourages and allows his employees to be involved in their children’s lives. Now Cade is 19 and he works part-time with me at the lot. He went from sitting on my desk in a bouncy seat to selling cars!”
One thing I want people to know about me: “I love being outside and spending time with my family on our farm in Marion County.”
Contact:
Cell: (205) 295-8545
Office: (205) 221-2424
Kim Gunter-Mann
Oversee parts, titles, abandoned vehicles, office staff – Gunter Body Shop Wrecker Service and Auto Glass
How I got into the car business: Family business
Things I like about my job: “Assisting customers in all the ways we can be of a service to them.”
One thing I want people to know about me: “I have been in the business for 32 years.”
Contact:
(205) 221-7031
Lauretta Price
Owner, Price Auto Sales
How I got into the car business: “I married my high school sweetheart, Tony Price, in 1978 and he was in the car business with his dad. When his dad passed away in 1990, we bought the business from his mom. Tony and I were the owners of Price Auto Sales from 1990 until he passed away in 2020, and now I continue to carry on the business.”
Thing I like most about my job: “I like knowing that I am helping provide a dependable means of transportation for people to go to church, work, vacation, doctors' appointments, school, and to visit family. When I see a vehicle with a Price Auto Sales decal on it, I feel good that I helped make it possible for them to be able to go to their destination.”
One thing I want people to know about me: “I have a genuine desire to help individuals. My educational background is in nursing. The nature of nursing is to help individuals get better. I apply that background to the automobile industry. People are usually unhappy if they can't get to where they want to go geographically. I try my very best to provide a dependable vehicle for that purpose.”
Contact:
(205) 221-5298 – dealership
Robin Odom
Human Resources, Honda & Hyundai of Jasper
How I got into the car business: “I worked in human resources for an OTR Trucking Company in Birmingham for eight years and wanted to be closer to home for my son for school and extracurricular activities. Bobby Crump hired me in June 2001 in payroll for Crump Nissan. He sold the dealership to Honda in December 2005. I have worked in human resources at the Honda dealership since December 2005.”
Thing I like most about my job: “I love working for Kevin Callahan and with all my coworkers, some of whom I have worked with since 2005. We are all one big family. When you spend eight to nine hours a day, five days a week with everyone, you become family.”
Contact: (205) 385-0100
Sarah Halbrook
Finance Manager, Bill Penney Toyota of Jasper
How I got into the car business: “When I was growing up, my father was always buying, selling, and trading vehicles. He would work on them while I’d detail them. I’ve always been around vehicles so when I was thinking about a career change, a dealership came to mind. Nine years later, I’ve been thankful to be employed with Bill Penney Toyota.”
Things I like about my job: “One of the best things I’ve loved about working here is I feel like I’m truly a part of one big family, not just the staff here, but the customers as well! I’ve been blessed to work with some great people over the years and made some of the best friends that have become family!”
One thing I want people to know about me: “I’d like to be known as a friend you come to see who also sells cars and offers a no-pressure sales experience. I want people to know if you choose myself and Bill Penney Toyota, you’re going to have one of the best car-buying experiences possible! I understand this is one of the biggest purchases you’ll make. There shouldn’t be any stress in such a fun and happy time!”
Contact:
(205) 388-4972 cell
Kathy Blackwell
Owner, Blackwell's Body Shop
How I got into the car business: “Meeting Monroe Blackwell was the best thing that ever happened to me. He was a perfectionist, and his drive was even stronger than mine. Being the oldest in a three-girl family, I learned mechanics by helping my father. Nothing was beyond me. I adopted the motto, ‘I can do anything I want to—I just have to want to,’ as a teenager. Helping paint cars was just another challenge to me.
When we were dating, Monroe's job closed, so he decided to use his high school hobby of painting cars as a job. I spent lots of time helping him with sanding, taping, and painting cars. One memory that stands out is spending our weekend together sanding and getting a tanker truck ready to paint for Jasper Oil Company. As his business grew, he needed my help more and more.
When we had been married 10 years, we decided I would help him full-time. I can still hear him say, ‘Kathy, life is too short to spend it apart.’ It allowed me to pursue a degree in accounting, which was a great benefit to us managing the business.”
Thing I like most about my job: “Since working on cars mechanically was already a part of me, the challenge of learning how they are put together and how to restore them after an accident was ‘icing on my cake.’”
One thing I want people to know about me: “After losing Monroe last year, our business continues to thrive, thanks to my nephew, Timothy Robertson, and niece, Charity Mills, who lost her husband just over a month later. Thanks to a wonderful staff and Monroe's principles, we'll keep repairing cars for our wonderful customers.”
Contact: (205) 384-5070