WORKFORCE IN ACTION

Looking back, that made me stronger, tougher and more successful in the end. During that process, I angered a lot of people and did not gain the respect that I needed until I put in as much time, energy, and work as my Dad had. After I made enough mistakes and worked harder with longer hours than anyone else I finally gained that respect. The respect I earned is different than that of a typical boss because most people assume as the child of the boss, you won’t work as hard – my co- workers witnessed that I did. Making my own mark in this industry has been a struggle, but I had the toughest man behind me (in my father) pushing me even though I was a woman, and his belief in me combined with my hard work has made me proud of who I am today.

Nicole Turnbow Inventory/Sales/Parts

Puller/Runner All Parts Brokers Caldwell, Idaho www.AllPartsBroker.com 1.5 Years in the Industry

opened up to me by chance. I met my boss, Greg Strikwerda, owner of All Parts Brokers, while working as a personal banker and he was a regular customer. I went from heels and suits to grease and torn jeans in the blink of an eye. I love it, and would not change it for a minute.

T

Although I had always enjoyed teaching myself how to fix and maintain my own vehicles over the years, I

he doors to the auto- motive recycling world

I went from heels and suits to grease and torn jeans in the blink of an eye. I love it, and would not change it for a minute.

had no idea how little I knew when I started. With the patience of my boss and the willingness of my co- workers to teach me, I am proud of how far I have come and can now ‘hold down the fort’ all on my own.

One of my biggest challenges has been letting go of my OCD tendencies and the overwhelming urge to constantly organize. But I do my best. I love my job. I have learned a lot by trial and error, honestly. The employee I replaced showed me a little on how to inventory the vehicles on the Inventory Buddy. But other than that, I have just asked a lot of ques- tions, which at times, honestly, answers weren’t didn’t come easily because some of my co-workers were not too keen on a woman working here, and they didn’t want to help me out much. Those that have had patience with me have been my saviors. There is a ton of work that I do here, including inventory the wrecked vehicles when we get them in; pull parts off of the vehicles when ordered; stock the parts in the warehouse when pulled/returned; sales/front counter; parts runner/delivery driver; and clean the showroom, shop and yard. I asked my boss the answer to “why me” and he said that after he and his wife had both had conver- sations with me at the bank, they knew I was not “in my element” there. They both felt like I would be a good fit here.

It has been a bumpy road finding my way and messing up a lot along the way, but I can honestly say that I feel like a part of a family here now and we all work very well together.

Samantha Walton Operations Manager/Treasurer/

Secretary/Sales Manager Allied Auto Wrecking Inc. Weare, New Hampshire www.AlliedAutoWrecking.com 22 Years in the Industry

Nicole Turnbow with her boss Greg Strikwerda, owner of All Parts Brokers. 44 Automotive Recycling | November-December 2015

(1986). I started at Allied Auto Wrecking when it was owned and operated by the owner’s parents, William and Cherie Wilusz. At that time, the business name was Town Line Auto. Cherie and I

I

have been in the industry since I was 13 years old