PEOPLE OF THE INDUSTRY

Barb Utter is an industry leader with a heart as big as the Great Lakes and who is all about family, friends, and faith. Chad Counselman and Kevin Fullerton also share how they live by the same priorities. By Caryn Smith

You Have a Friend in Me

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hen you talk to Barb Utter, the Executive Director of the Auto- motive Recyclers of Michigan (ARM), you immediately feel like you’ve known her forever. Her warmth is genuine. She makes you feel important and val- ues your opinion, especially when it comes to the industry she loves.

“She is the benchmark or standard to which we should all aspire when we engage with each other, whether it be in a business or a social venue,” says Cheryll Lambright, Executive Director of Texas Au- tomotive Recyclers Association, Barb’s valued friend and colleague. “She never hesitates to light up your moment with a smile and lend an ear or a hug. Barb is forever teaching us, guiding us and inspiring us to be the best of the best in the automotive industry. I am one of hundreds that have been graced by her charm, knowledge, encouragement, loyalty and gen- uine friendship.” Barb’s passion for the industry is primarily driven by one thing: the people. “When this industry is in your blood, it’s because of the people. Go through our his- tory; there is a strong family heritage unlike any oth- er industry. Nothing has really changed through the years. We have the same issues, the same people with same last names, just different generations,” she notes. Putting people first, she says, “I value the friendships I’ve made. Many started as work-related, and spill over into being personal relationships. My family lives by ‘Family, Friends, Faith’ as the standard. That is what is important to me. ”

July-August 2018 • AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLING