In fact, it was this philosophy that caused Barb to miss an important moment in her career at the 74th Annual ARA Convention & Expo last year. For 22 years she has been at the helm of ARM, and was rec- ognized by then-President R.D. Hopper as his pick for the 2017 President’s Award. “Barb Utter brings cred- ibility to automotive recycling,” says Hopper. “She is the type of person who makes others want to be their best. Through all of the ups, downs, and challenges of this industry, it is good to know that there are people like her out there to keep things go- ing. Barb is family to those of us who have been around for a while and she is a valuable presence to help guide the next generation. She does an

Through all of the ups, downs, and challenges of this industry, it is good to know that there are people like her out there to keep things going.

excellent job in keeping an eye on her state associa- tion membership, encouraging them to stay involved.” Now, Barb has never been known to miss anything, but she and Cheryll had bowed out of the 2017 ARA Awards Dinner a little early to catch up before Barb caught a plane home in the morning. Valuing their relationship, it was important that she spend that time with her friend and colleague. Barb missed her Presi- dent’s award moment doing exactly what she was be- ing awarded for – extending care and compassion for the industry and its people. “The award was such an honor. I wasn’t there be- cause I had to say goodbye to Cheryll. These indus- try friendships I have are personal and professional,” Barb says. “They have made me who I am.”

Today’s Challenges

Always working to understand and bridge the gen- erational gap, she believes that a good group consists of people of all ages and backgrounds. “As an execu- tive director, I can work with the next generation. My college-age grandchildren help me see the world in a different way through their eyes, and I appreciate that perspective. I understand where they are coming from. Yet, they need to also understand our genera- tion, too, we are not all wrong. We have to work togeth- er, we cannot forget from whence we came.” Representing ARM, Barb is a member of the ARA Affiliate Chapter Committee. “Our committee has worked hard. We rely on one another. We pick up the phone and share resources. Our affiliate chapters are the pulse of industry and great ideas come from them,” says Barb.

“Barb Utter is always someone I have looked up to in the auto recycling industry,” says Steve Fletcher, Ex- ecutive Director of the Automotive Recyclers of Can- ada (ARC). “She is wise, kind, humble, and deeply

AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLING • July-August 2018

knowledgeable about the industry and its members. I always look to the great work she does with the associ- ation in Michigan to see how I can get a better handle on a problem or opportunity in Canada. While I was co-chairing the Affiliate Chapters Committee, I think she participated in every call and meeting we ever had – and not idle participation but actively providing guidance, insight and asking those fundamental ques- tions of how we can make this a better industry for ev- eryone.”

“When we go to industry meetings, I pick up things in the sessions, find trainers for my Chapter, network with all our vendors to see what can we do for our members. In the last two ARA conven-

tions, I’ve especially loved the ARA Recyclers Round- table. The format allows people to loosen up and have the opportunity to speak up,” says Barb. Always taking ideas back to utilize, she says, “We did a roundtable at our annual Road Show. It was for the employees and was facilitated by employees. They had great ideas about quality control, sales, and produc- tion. We always think it has to be owners and manag- ers. We forget about the every day production people.” In her leadership role, she knows the times are changing and works to help her members manage it. “My members are worried about acquiring product; they can’t get enough vehicles. It is a difficult time with diminishing relationships and loyalty from customers – social media and the internet has taken that away. The automated car is coming; our industry changes so fast. It seems they are working twice as hard to retain market share. And hiring people, period, is an issue, let alone to find qualified help who want to work. Most facilities are working with skeleton crews and owners are working on the line or counter. It is a busy life.” “Yet, you just have to embrace change. ‘I have always done it this way,’ won’t work. Be resilient. Listen to one another. Integrate the historical with the current gen- eration. Provide quality service, parts and price. Take care of employees and take care of customers. Provide good quality parts. Be honest with one another. Times are changing, but with that comes great opportunities. We need to tell our story better. ”

Set in Motion

Barb never set out to be in the automotive recycling industry. It found her through unforeseen circum- stances; she might say through heartache. The story goes, she married Kent Utter after meet- ing him at Michigan State University, and settled in as a stay-at-home mom, raising four sons. Kent ran

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