Editor’s Notes By Caryn Smith ARAEditor@comcast.net

The Power of Inspiration

ost people do not come into excel- lence by accident. Creating a cul- ture of excellence and achievement is a directive that must be initiated on pur- pose yet remain flexible for improve- ment. Aristotle says, “Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” As the premier industry training plat- form available to all automotive recyclers in the workforce, the leaders driving this initiative forward engage the latest tech- nology available and continually improves to deliver the most needed quality train-

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ing. Excellence must be inspired, and not mandated. On page 30, the ARAU story is told, from its early days to now, and how it is inspiring excellence among recyclers. ARAU’s Executive Director Ginny Whelan is also one of the masterminds, along with auto recycler Fran Reitman and ARA Past President Sandy Blalock, for creating the Ladies of the Automotive Recyclers Association, known as LARA. On page 41, you can read the stories of dedicated ladies who are vibrant contrib- utors to the industry in their roles at auto- motive recycling facilities.

I was recently inspired myself when I attended the first-ever concert of the “Rock Pack,” organized by John Payne, lead singer of Asia. With a back stage pass,

I met the lead singers of Asia, Kansas, Cheap Trick, Toto, Starship, and The Tubes. I must admit I wondered how these aging rockers would sound. With front row seats, I then enjoyed the best concert I have seen in years.

I believe green recycled auto parts are a lot like these classic rockers. The lead singers assembled a new band that played for them all, yet their performances were spot on. You’d never know there was any difference. Payne noted that his challenge was in promoting this concert as a tour. Green recycled parts are the same. We must get the public to understand that these parts’ performance in their cars is spot on, exactly as they always have. Payne had it right; its all in the promotion.

6 Automotive Recycling | November-December 2015