WORKFORCE IN ACTION

and interacting with so many different people. Sara’s many responsibilities as both Secretary and Treasurer of the company deal mainly with config- uring the books for all locations, processing payroll, paying bills, and answering phones. But also as Vice President of Wilken Auto Salvage, the job will sometimes send her off to drive a bug rig semi that is hauling scrap product and vehicles between the locations.

Sara continues to work in the industry because it’s extremely varied and interesting. Along with pro- cessing and selling used and rebuilt automotive parts, Wilken Auto Salvage also processes scrap metal. Their business is a 50/50 split between the two sides of the same coin in the automotive and scrap recovery industries. Sara is intrigued by the many processes within the business, not only does she see a vehicle torn down to reusable auto parts, but witnesses the vehicle processed down to little pieces of scrap metal destined to once again become a useful metal product.

Sara would advise fellow recyclers to get involved in industry associations. “There is so much knowl- edge out there,” says Sara. “We’ve met lots of new people and we’ve learned so much from them over the last few years. Sometimes it’s not about what you know, but who you know and what they can teach you!”

Sara and Andy Wilken have two sons. They are active in the Iowa Automotive Recyclers association with Andy as the current President of IAR and their facility will serve as host to the 2016 Summer IAR Outing in Kensett, Iowa.

Sabrina M. Wisher Office Manager

Kalispell, MT www.wishersauto.com 26 Years in the Industry

owned business for 26 years. My grandfather Clem Wisher started our salvage yard as a wood yard and then grew into a salvage yard; it has been a family- owned business over 50 years. I worked on and off with my father my whole life, and then after I became a mom I went full-time working with him and my brother. I also enjoyed working alongside my grandfather until he passed.

I

I am a single mom with four amazing kids and working with my father has been a true blessing. I

48 Automotive Recycling | November-December 2015

have worked with my father Jerry Wisher at our family-

The respect I receive as a woman in this industry is beyond words.

But then again the respect is mutual. And that is how you become successful and stay successful.

have a daughter with special needs that at times causes me to miss work or leave without a moment’s notice. Being that “Papa” is the boss I have that freedom. Through the years of struggling, I have realized what it is like to “need” for my daughter. With that being said, Wisher’s Auto Recycling now donates a vehicle to a family each year to lighten a burden and I am very proud to be a part of that blessing each year.

One of my proudest moments was becoming 2014 Montana Mother of The Year, and being on the cover of the Locator magazine to share about being a mom and a businesswoman in the recycling industry.

I love the people I work with from the vendors to all my customers. They have all become like family and they all love and support me in all that I do. The respect I receive as a woman in this industry is beyond words. But then again the respect is mutual. And that is how you become successful and stay suc- cessful.

Sue Schauls Executive Director

Iowa Auto Recyclers www.IowaAutomotive Recyclers.com

21 Years in the Industry

Iowa Auto Recyclers (IAR) as well as the environ- mental and safety inspector for the members. Although Sue has only been on staff since 2011 she has been working in the field with the members of IAR since 1995 through the state small business technical assistance program and later as an inde- pendent consultant.

S

Sue grew up in a used car dealership that always made repairs with used auto parts. Initially, Sue worked as a computer analyst at Electronic Data System, having studied computer in college the first time around. After returning to Iowa from California, she worked at John Deere as a subcon-

ue Schauls serves as the Executive Director of the