Women Techs Rock: EV tech Allison Donohoo works on the cutting edge of transportation

This technician spotlight is published as part of TechForce Foundation’s diversity initiatives. Help us find other women technicians to highlight in Women Techs Rock. Get started at TechForce.org/WomenTechStories


 

 

A picture of technician Allison Donohoo wearing a baseball cap and a blue and white work shirt, next to her quote, "You don't need to think about yourself any differently because you're a woman."Women Techs Rock Highlight

Name: Allison Donohoo
Employer: Crest Volvo
Age: 23
Location: Frisco, Texas
School: Universal Technical Institute

 

Who is Allison Donohoo?

Like a lot of techs, Allison Donohoo’s interest in the automotive field started with her family. It was a shared love of NASCAR – the speed, the sounds, the smells of the races – that first sparked what would become a lifelong fascination with all thing technical – especially engines.

While she didn’t grow up around people who worked on cars, when high school came around and she needed to keep her car running, she took to tinkering. Self-motivated and undaunted by the challenge of learning something new, Allison largely taught herself the way around a garage. Combining that experience with a love of electronics and robotics, she naturally gravitated toward becoming a tech, studying both automotive and diesel at UTI (Universal Technical Institute).

Eventually dropping the diesel portion of her education, she graduated and quickly found herself as the first woman service technician – EV/Hybrid certified – at the family-owned Crest Volvo in Frisco, Texas. And while she experienced the same kind of difficulties many women find in male-dominated professions, she found that once she had the opportunity to prove herself to her co-working techs, she was welcomed as an equal part of an outstanding team.

Now, she’s writing a new chapter to her story, taking on the role of Volvo Technical Training Instructor for the Volvo SAFE Program with Calibre in South Carolina. From a self-taught tinkerer to a full-fledged teacher, we can’t wait to see who she inspires to follow in her footsteps.

 

Q & A:

What’s the hardest part of being a woman tech?

“You have to work harder to gain trust and you have to work smarter. It isn’t about the hours put in; it’s about the outcomes and the customer.”

 

Tell us about a memorable moment when you were treated differently as a women tech.

“At UTI, an instructor gave me a hard time throughout the class, but apologized when I got a perfect score. I also had a student asked me if I was there looking for a husband. ‘Nope,’ I said. ‘I’m looking for a career!’”

 

What do you tell yourself when something gets tough?

“You can be scared to do anything, but so what? If you’re scared, do it anyway!”

 

What do you think it will take to get more women into the tech profession?

“You have to really want it. You should have passion and you don’t need to think about yourself any differently because you’re a woman.”

 


 

RELEASE: “Because I’m a Tech…” 2021 shares technicians’ stories of successful and secure careers

TechForce Foundation® Shares Technician Stories and Career Guide
to Correct Misperceptions of Transportation Tech Careers


New resources now available on the only social network
dedicated to aspiring and working transportation techs

August 26, 2021 – SCOTTSDALE, AZ — TechForce Foundation®, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has launched its national “Because I’m a Tech…” campaign featuring a diverse group of technicians sharing their stories of successful and secure careers. TechForce celebrates the campaign with the release of its updated Ultimate Guide to Transportation Technician CareersTechForce.org/CareerGuide.


Transportation technology is critical to the American economy, and the demand for technicians is surging. Yet, many students planning their futures and individuals considering career changes don’t realize the opportunities and the potential for success as transportation techs. Often underestimated as “blue collar,” or “grease monkey” jobs, today’s
technicians are actually high-tech “new collar” workers who depend on their computer skills and fluency with the latest technology.


“A modern car runs on approximately 100 million lines of computer code, more than twice that of the NASA space shuttle,” says Jennifer Maher, CEO & Executive Director for TechForce Foundation. “Now, with electric vehicles set to become more common than ever before, the list of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills transportation techs need continues to grow. These are skilled, well-paying, technical jobs that literally keep America rolling.”


To correct this misperception TechForce and its industry partners are sharing stories and resources to showcase accurate representations of technician careers. TechForce invites techs to join in by posting on social media and completing the phrase “Because I’m Tech…” with the accomplishments, lifestyle and other things they enjoy thanks to their technician career.


TechForce has also created the first and only social network designed and gamified for tech students and professional technicians to connect with each other, schools, industry and employers (
JoinTechForce.org). The social network features the Ultimate Guide to Transportation Tech Careers and other resources, opportunities for career exploration, scholarships, free technical training and events. The online platform also connects schools with industry resources.


The TechForce
social network is evolving and growing every day, with thousands of students, instructors and working techs using this innovative resource. TechForce was able to launch the gamified site in the midst of COVID to meet the rising demand for virtual training and social connectivity. The transportation community is both supporting it with content and using it to learn, connect, find scholarships and events, and explore job opportunities while competing for prizes and leaderboard status.


For additional information about secure, successful careers in transportation technology, visit
jointechforce.org.


About TechForce Foundation

TechForce Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion all students to and through their technical education and into careers as professional technicians. The Foundation distributes more than $1.5 million in scholarships and grants annually, thanks to its generous corporate sponsors and donors, and spearheads an industry-wide workforce development initiative to help encourage and support more young people to pursue the vehicle technician profession. For more information, visit www.techforce.org. Follow us on Facebook, InstagramTwitter and Linkedin.


Links

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Women Techs Rock: How college grad Hannah Lutrey found her purpose in the world of forklifts

This technician spotlight is published as part of TechForce Foundation’s diversity initiatives. Help us find other women technicians to highlight in Women Techs Rock. Get started at TechForce.org/WomenTechStories


 

Women Techs Rock Highlight

Name: Hannah Lutrey
Employer: Doosan Industrial Vehicle America Corporation
Age: 33
Location: Duluth, Georgia
School: Gwinnett Technical College; Randolph College

 

Technician Hannah Lutrey pictured next her quote, "Just keep going. Deep breath. It's very rewarding."

Who is Hannah Lutrey?

Hannah Lutrey always considered herself a gearhead – a fan of cars and motorcycles, with an interest in how things work – but she never imagined that she’d find herself working in the world of forklifts.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and aiming for a career of helping others, like many of us, Hannah found that life has a funny way of steering toward another direction. She found herself working as a warranty administrator for PAI Industries in Suwanee, Georgia. She was – as she says – “thrown into the deep end,” working as part of the failure analysis process, writing denial reports, and working with suppliers to make product improvements based on claim discoveries. However, she soon grew tired of not fully understanding what techs were talking about.

The solution? Gwinnett Technical College and the Heavy Duty Diesel Service Technician Certification Program. With an employer that allowed her time to go to school and an instructor who was hugely supportive (they’re still in touch), she was not only the first woman to apply for the program, but also the first to graduate with a 4.0 GPA. And, she’s proud to say, without any student debt.

Looking to expand her career beyond what PAI could offer, she was introduced to Doosan Industrial Vehicle America Corporation at a career fair and was hired as a Product Support Representative – the first woman to hold a tech position there. Now, she helps technicians troubleshoot problems in the field, provides support to regional representatives, and assists with warranty parts returns and analysis. While she looks forward to working more closely with dealers in a regional position, she loves her job, thanks to the supportive people she gets to work with. And yes, because she’s a specialist in the installation for specific forklift parts, she still gets to pick up a wrench now and again.

 

Q & A:

Do people give you a hard time because you’re a woman? 

“Once, a man called for tech support and wouldn’t speak to me. I don’t dwell on it though. I won’t let a fool affect what I do.”

 

What would you tell other women considering this profession?

“It’s very rewarding, but you have to really love it to make it. Is Doosan ready for more women techs? Yes! We hear that Cummins engines wants more women on staff because they’re more detail-oriented.”

 

What mantra do you use when things get challenging?

“Just keep going. Deep breath. You can’t change stupid.”

 

What is your dream form of transportation?

“A 1930 round-body pickup with a wood bed, a Cummins small-block engine, and Allison automatic transmission. Or a split-windshield Studebaker pickup. Or a 6-speed Mini Clubman.”

 


 

Under The Hood | August 2021

TOPICS IN UNDER THE HOOD FOR SEPTEMBER 2021:

Because I’m a Tech | Driven to Care scholarship recipients at Road America | Show us your tattoo contest | Technician Careers | Women Techs Rock | Join TechForce for free training

Stand up for tech careers with your “Because I’m a Tech…” story

The-Humble-Mechanic---Thumbnail_210819Calling all techs! Don’t sit on the sidelines – tell all who need to hear it what can be achieved with a transportation technician career. Check out this video from The Humble Mechanic for inspiration, and join the conversation by telling the world what you’ve accomplished “Because I’m a Tech…”⁠ Share your story on social media with #BecauseImaTech

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Last chance: Vote for TechForce in MOTOR’s Top 20 Awards

Screen Shot 2021-03-23 at 1-56-39 PM-2Voting closes today in MOTOR’s Top 20 Awards! TechForce’s social network has been nominated as one of the most innovative and exciting new things in the automotive industry, and we need your help to win this year’s award. Vote for JoinTechForce.org to recognize the only one-stop-shop built exclusively for future and working techs. Vote now>>

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Celebrating Driven to Care scholarship recipients at Road America

20210717_All Smiles 112225-2Lisa Weinberger and TechForce recently hosted local students, including Accelerate Tuition/John Weinberger “Driven to Care” scholarship recipients, at Road America in Wisconsin. Students had the opportunity to meet racing legends, watch vintage racecars in action pit-side, and get behind-the-scenes with pit crews.

More student race-day events are being planned for other locations. College-level students can apply for Accelerate Tuition scholarships through TechForce’s social network>>
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Discover your future in our Ultimate Guide to Technician Careers

The demand for transportation techs is surging. Yet, many people don’t realize the opportunity and potential for success in transportation technology and repair. Discover your “new collar” STEM career, including job types, skills needed and average salary. Download our free Ultimate Guide to Tech Careers at TechForce.org/CareerGuide
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Something fun… Enter our “Show us your ink” contest

Show us your ink! We want to know your story and who you are through your tattoos. Enter for a chance to win a “When Techs Rock, America Rolls®” T-shirt and 5,000 points. Contests are just one fun part of the only social network built for aspiring and working techs. Learn more about our current contests at JoinTechForce.org>>
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Help TechForce inspire the next generation of women techs

WTR_TFN_Bethaney-Bowman-Engine-Block_100T_1600X900_210714Only 2.5% of technicians are women. It is time to celebrate them, learn from them and work together to raise the percentage! Help us share stories from women techs who rock and inspire the next generation. Tell us who we should recognize at TechForce.org/WomenTechStories
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join TechForce for free training from our partners

Partner training_TechForce peer networkCan you easily explain how an electrical system works? Are you up to date on hybrid engines? Do you know how automated vehicles stay on the road? Stay up to date on advancing vehicle technology with free training from Advance Auto Parts, Cengage, Shell, WD-40, GM and other TechForce partners! Simply join TechForce’s social network to get started>>

Thank you to all TechForce Foundation partners!

TFF-ALL-Partners-Logo-Lockup-210521-2Associations: Automotive Communications Council, Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association (AMRA), American Rental Association (ARA), Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), ASE Education Foundation, ASE Training Managers Council (ATMC), Auto Care Association/Women in Auto Care, Center for Advanced Automotive Technology (CAAT), Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement (CADIA), Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR), Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence, National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada (NAACC), National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), National Center for Autonomous Technology (NCAT), SkillsUSA, STEAM Sports Foundation and American Trucking Association’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC)

Celebrities: Charles Sanville (The Humble Mechanic), Lyn St. James (IndyCar), Bogi Lateiner (Girl Gang Garage), Steve Johnson (Steve Johnson Racing – NHRA) and Julia Landauer (Julia Landauer Racing – NASCAR)

For more news on TechForce Foundation, follow us on social media at the links below!

 

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Women Techs Rock: How Kimberly turned her military training into a civilian career as a diesel tech

This technician spotlight is published as part of TechForce Foundation’s diversity initiatives. Help us find other women technicians to highlight in Women Techs Rock. Get started at TechForce.org/WomenTechStories


 

Technician Kimberly Lakner standing next to a diesel truck, with the quote "Do what you're passionate about and don't let anyone stop you."Women Techs Rock Highlight

Name: Kimberly Lakner
Employer: Walmart, Shop Service Manager
Location: Florida
School: Marine Corps

 

Who is Kimberly Lakner?

Kimberly is the shop manager at a Florida-based Walmart Distribution Facility. She started at Walmart 27 years ago as a truck fueler and washer then moved into a technician role and eventually into management. She started her career in the Marine Corps where she received her diesel training.

She likes working for Walmart and moved around when the opportunity was made available. She has been in management since 2002. Her role allows her to occasionally go into the shop to wrench, she enjoys doing diagnostics and research on equipment to help solve issues.

She misses wrenching full time because it allowed her to do something of a solo nature in management, she manages the full workload of the shop. When she was in the Marine Corps, she was accepted as a female in the diesel area. Where she was tasked with a job, and she did the job.

When she left the Marine Corps, she immediately felt the difference in that she had to always work harder to prove herself. Once she built a reputation as a technician who did good work,
she then was getting requested by drivers specifically.

In general, Kimberly believes that as a manager it is her job to identify where help is needed and provide the assistance to make the technician’s job easier for them to understand.

 

Q & A:

Was there an incident that stuck out in your memory that was a turning point for you in your thinking of yourself as a professional tech?

YES! She asked a supervisor for help with an electronic wiring harness problem. He came over to help but ended up taking over. I had to stand up for myself and say, “Hey I don’t want you to do my job, I want you to teach me how to do my job better’. If I hadn’t stood up, I would have become that tech that men would view as “see, women can’t do it”. That supervisor treated me very differently after that encounter. Not only did I gain his respect, but I proved myself and he then trusted me without question going forward. We still stay in touch, and I still remember that interaction as a defining moment.

 

What mantra do you use when things get challenging? What would you tell your younger you?

Do what you’re passionate about and don’t let anyone stop you.

 

Is the stigma of a women technician going away?

No but it is changing. As things evolve to EV and Hybrid it becomes less and less about the grease monkey stigma and more and more about computers and electronics. That changes the stigma. Moving from grease monkey into true technician and maybe into engineer.

 

What should be done to get more women into the profession?

Start them young and teach women to raise one another up. Women must change from within and share ownership and pride with other women. Start in schools on teaching acceptance and understanding what that really means. It’s ok to partner with others to help you as long as women are standing up for themselves.

 

What is your dream form of transportation?

Her fun toy is a motorcycle.  Kimberly won’t wrench on any of her own vehicles.

 

 


 

Women Techs Rock: Working on a private collection of vintage cars

This technician spotlight is published as part of TechForce Foundation’s diversity initiatives. Help us find other women technicians to highlight in Women Techs Rock. Get started at TechForce.org/WomenTechStories


 

Riley Mahl working on an engine, next to her quote "Don't give up, I face obstacles but find my path forward."

Women Techs Rock Highlight

Name: Riley Mahl
Employer: Private Collection
Age: 22
Location: Coopersburg, PA
School: Pennsylvania College of Technology

 

Who is Riley Mahl?

Sometimes the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. In Riley Mahl’s case, the daughter doesn’t stray far from the father. Understandable when her stay-at-home, chemical engineer dad was the editor for a Studebaker club newspaper and was willing to allow Riley’s mother to name their daughter–in exchange for permission to buy a classic Packard, that is. Riley literally grew up alongside the vintage Packard, leaving a significant imprint as she watched her dad work on it her entire childhood.

In high school, Riley served her community as a volunteer firefighter and water rescuer. Already possessing several practical skills, Riley was naturally skeptical of the merits of a college education, despite her father’s suggestions. They compromised, and Riley attended the technical high school where her father was an automotive instructor to prepare herself to join the workforce. Not wanting to be caught in her father’s shadow, Riley elected to take machining courses for two years instead.

With her firefighting and rescue experience, Riley originally planned on becoming a paramedic, attending classes at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. However, after taking some anatomy classes she found that her passions and ambitions lie elsewhere. Riley was reminded of the auto restoration student who gave her a campus tour and was intrigued. She instantly fell in love with the program, being surrounded by classic cars in class, and learning about automotive history and painting. She even loved that old car smell. Riley finally had an avenue to express her newfound natural ability to troubleshoot and fix things.

Riley was introduced to the curator of a local private car collection through the program, and was even interviewed for a summer internship. When the interviewer saw “Riley” on the application, he wasn’t expecting a young woman, but quickly moved past the initial shock, offering her the position. Over the summer, Riley learned a great deal about vintage automobiles and was taught to work with a high attention to detail, giving her the edge over her peers. Riley became a standout student as a very skilled pupil and the only woman in the program. While there was often headbutting with her male classmates, Riley was able to work past these differences and earn the respect she deserved from the very beginning.

In her own words, “for every great man in automobiles, there was a woman behind him.”

 

Q & A:

What would you tell your 16-year-old self about standing up for yourself?

“Don’t back down on your opinion. Don’t back down on your values. Learn to deal with the boys’ club mentality. When I started showing them up, the men made life harder, so you must find a way to balance doing your best and managing the male and female rivalry. Think about why the men might be giving you a hard time. Most of the time it’s because they are jealous of your abilities!”

 

What mantra do you use when things get challenging?

“Don’t give up. I face obstacles but find my path forward. If I struggle, I look for a solution, and if I can’t find one it is okay to ask for help. We [women] may be more physically challenged, so sometimes you have to ask for help. If you fall off the horse, dust yourself off and keep going. There is no such thing as a stupid question.”

 

What is your dream form of transportation?

“Ride a horse everywhere! It’s just a different kind of horsepower.”

Riley also dreams of inheriting her father’s 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood, which belonged to her grandfather.

 


 

Women Techs Rock: Volvo tech Clary Bellino proved the naysayers wrong

This technician spotlight is published as part of TechForce Foundation’s diversity initiatives. Help us find other women technicians to highlight in Women Techs Rock. Get started at TechForce.org/WomenTechStories


 

Women Techs Rock Highlight

Name: Samantha “Clary” Bellino
Employer: Volvo
Age: 24
Location: Bellevue, WA
School: UTI Dallas, followed by Volvo manufacturer’s program

 

Who is Clary Bellino?

Clary Bellino knows what it takes to build success. After graduating from the Dallas campus of Universal Technical Institute (UTI) with a 4.0 GPA and a 97% attendance rate, Clary’s hard work and determination allowed her to choose any manufacturer’s program she wanted. Volvo was the lucky program to receive her efforts, and quickly she was off to Phoenix, AZ to train in Volvo’s technical service program.

After completing the Volvo training program, Clary crossed the country to take her first dealership service job at a small Volvo dealership in Pennsylvania. Not challenged by the oil change work she mainly carried out at the dealership, Clary set her sights higher. She began to participate in a corporate network of other women technicians within Volvo, expanding her professional network. This networking would pay off when another technician in the Volvo program mentioned the career opportunities at her own dealership.

“…Clary knew she was taking a huge leap but now feels that it was completely worth it
as she has found a career that fits her skills, motivations, and ambitions.”

All Clary needed was the right connection, and after a phone interview with the service manager at the new dealership, Clary was hired on the spot. She was such an outstanding candidate, she was able to negotiate relocation assistance and help her roommates find jobs at the dealership as porters. Once again, Clary drove all the way across the country, this time heading westward to Washington State.

Having zero experience with the area, Clary knew she was taking a huge leap but now feels that it was completely worth it as she has found a career that fits her skills, motivations, and ambitions. At her new Volvo dealership in Bellevue, WA, Clary is now a trusted member of the service team and continues to receive plenty of challenging work that makes her feel productive and well-placed.

 

Q & A:

What have you learned since working?

“Unless you have been at it for 10 years, you have to ask questions, but men make it sound like they know it all. You can’t be afraid to ask questions about what you don’t know.”

 

Are there different rules for men vs women?

“YES! We must show more certifications and more knowledge and to make it. It seems that the industry assumes a man knows how to do it all and his training and preparation don’t seem to matter as much.”

 

How do you move past the frustrating times?

“I remember the times when people said I couldn’t do it, and it energizes me to show them all that I can, I will, and I do!”

 

How did you get into this career?

“Did it out of pure spite. I had a few friends who were techs. In high school I wanted to be able to take care of my own car and keep myself moving so I would ask my tech friends who would tell me what to do. And I would do it! So I learned a few things. But everyone said I couldn’t do it. It was a mistake and my “I will prove you wrong” side took over. So, I did it out of spite.”

 

What would you tell other women considering this profession?

“You’re not there to make friends, you’re there to make a paycheck and it doesn’t matter what others think. If you keep your head down and stand up for yourself, you will surpass the men or others who don’t have the confidence and didn’t take advantage to learn more as they went. Women don’t stand up for themselves because they aren’t taught to. Some women must first unlearn what they think they know to become confident enough to stand up for themselves. I had to relearn that I am a human and not just a pretty face. In fact, I am a capable human!”

 

What mantra do you use when things get challenging?

“You’re here, you’ve done all of this so far so why stop now. My 16-year-old self would have thought I am dumb for trying this. I didn’t come from a great family background. I thought I would be dead by 18 or going nowhere as an adult. I had no family support at first. I was a girly girl from way back, but my dad saw something in me as I matured and helped me move each step of the way. Because he wanted to be part of the story! He even drove my toolbox across the country!”

 

What is your biggest career goal?

“After getting as high up as I can at a dealership, I would like to open my own dealership or service shop.”

 

What is your dream form of transportation?

Clary describes a wide range of dream cars, from Hyundai Velosters, to Dodge Challenger Demons, to a classic Hemi ‘Cuda
But like so many other technicians, Clary continues to take care of her 16 year-old, 190,000 mile car, affectionately named Eleanor Rigby. It has criss-crossed the country more than once and shows no signs of slowing down.

 


 

Women Techs Rock: Shop owner Bethaney Bowman’s advice for women looking to get their start

This technician spotlight is published as part of TechForce Foundation’s diversity initiatives. Help us find other women technicians to highlight in Women Techs Rock. Get started at TechForce.org/WomenTechStories


Technician: Bethaney Bowman
Employer: Owner, Gear Jammers
Age: 35

Who is Bethaney Bowman?

Bethaney’s legacy as a leader in the automotive industry started from an early age, with a role model at home. Her own mother was the first woman to graduate from Edison Tech School in upstate New York, setting an example for Bethaney that she could do whatever she set her mind to, even if she had to be the first woman to do it.

Like so many other car enthusiasts of the time, Bethaney’s parents were avid drag racers, and made sure they passed this down to Bethaney. Bethaney and her father built her very own junior dragster from scratch at the young age of 8, and she continued to compete in it for years. This experience of tinkering with her dad sowed the seeds that she would build a career with.

In the 7th grade, Bethaney seized the opportunity to take a small engines class, where she learned an important life lesson. The class required students to break out into pairs, but as a young woman in a male-dominated class, Bethaney ended up working alone. She would often endure bullying for this, even getting spit on while walking to class. Bethaney pushed on despite this, continuing through small engines and electronics classes to make the jump into automotive.

When Bethaney was in the 11th grade, she moved with her family and started at a new school. Once again, she was the only woman in the class. The program allowed for ASE and NATEF certifications, and Bethaney seized the opportunity as one of only 5 students in the NATEF program.

In what she describes as the largest impact on her automotive career, Bethaney met an extraordinary automotive instructor, who was able to provide valuable 1-on-1 instruction due to the small class size. Bethaney continues to keep in touch with this instructor, who is still teaching today.

After high school, Bethaney set off for the University of Northern Ohio (UNOH), with the goal to graduate with zero debt. This required Bethaney to keep a grueling schedule, working from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm as a waitress, automotive lube tech, and any other job necessary before attending class from midnight to 6:00 am. Bethaney describes that she survived the ordeal with energy drinks, Oreos, and sheer determination.

Bethaney would even meet her now-husband at UNOH over some friendly competition over who had the better truck. This casual banter would blossom into a once-in-a-lifetime romance for Bethaney. Her husband went down a diesel tech career path, as Bethaney remained focused on the automotive side.

At the start of her career, Bethaney worked for Jiffy Lube and Firestone but quickly decided that the fast turnaround of these organizations was not how she envisioned her career. Bethaney pivoted to dealership work hoping to find stability but would be tripped up by an employer that was struggling to make its sales goals. Always remaining flexible and open to trying new things, Bethaney landed at ProCharger, building the company’s namesake superchargers, giving her valuable experience with a stable schedule and pay.

However, Bethaney would begin to feel the monotony of a traditional 9-5 job, ultimately leaving ProCharger and becoming pregnant with her first child. After a year-long stint as a fitness instructor, Bethaney was drawn back into her automotive passion after the birth of her second child, building high-performance engines for Tristar. Like many can relate, Bethaney and her husband found themselves moving around a lot and decided that it was time to build roots and develop a sustainable long-term plan.

During this process, Bethaney had come to understand that she and her husband had gained enough joint knowledge to start their very own business. Around the birth of their third child, Bethaney and her husband were able to make that dream a reality, starting Gear Jammers as a mobile mechanic business.

Eventually, they would find shop space, servicing diesel over-the-road trucks as well as autos. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gear Jammers pivoted back to mobile work, feeling that it was the strongest aspect of their thriving business. This helped free up Bethaney to take up a new challenge–to become a super mom, managing three kids and her busy home life while working within her passion field.

Q&A

Q: What are some of the challenges of being a female tech that you want to alert others to and start a dialogue for improvement?
A: “Finding a balance in life is always a challenge. You must decide what’s important to you and set your priorities with your own guide in mind. But if you are going to do the job, do it right and do it well.”

Q: Who influences you in your work?
A: “Bogi Lateiner and Faye Hadley from All Girls Garage. They remind me that women can and
should do what they are passionate about.”

Q: What is changing the stigma for women techs?
A: “New technology. The more and more new technology advances to EV/Hybrid and autonomy the less the job becomes a mechanics job and the more it becomes a technician role. You need to know the basics of an engine as the foundation to any of it but for those who are very technical the computer-based work will take over eventually.”

Q: What needs to happen to get more women in this profession?
A: “Women need to see that they can do it. They can tackle this, or anything, and they need to stop listening to others and listen to themselves. If you like doing puzzles, then you will like this because at the end you get a pretty picture–only these start and impact life.”

Under The Hood | July 2021

TOPICS IN UNDER THE HOOD FOR July 2021:

Kaylynn Simmons, an NHRA professional drag racing clutch specialist | Shell for a ticket giveaway to the Pennzoil 150 | Because I’m a Tech | Volvo Support TechForce with $30k | TechForce scholarship awarded to Kanda | Christian Brothers Automotive 10K in Scholarships | Join TechForce offer no-fee trainings | Luke Walker Technician to Shop Owner | Veterans Scholarship Resources | Join TechForce Fun Contests

Kaylynn Simmons made a career by turning “no” into opportunity

Kaylynn SimmonsMeet Kaylynn Simmons, an NHRA professional drag racing clutch specialist and this week’s Women Techs Rock highlight. Kaylynn heard “no” her entire career, but she didn’t let that stop her. Instead of seeing the nos as the end of the line, Kaylynn chose to see them as opportunities. Hear Kaylynn’s inspiring story here>> and share the story of a woman tech who you know rocks at TechForce.org/WomenTechsStories

 
 
 

Win free tickets to NASCAR race courtesy of Shell

Shell Brickyard Ticket GiveawayTechForce has partnered with Shell for a ticket giveaway to the Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard! Enter the giveaway in TechForce’s peer network for your chance to watch the future stars of NASCAR compete on August 14 in one of the most exciting races on the NASCAR Xfinity Series calendar. Enter under “Events” at JoinTechForce.org
 
 
 
 
 

Coming soon: Because I’m a Tech 2021

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“Because I’m a Tech…” is an opportunity for TechForce and our partners to educate and encourage parents and kids to explore the potential and lifelong benefits of hands on careers. We invite you to join us in sharing technicians’ stories from August 23 to September 10, 2021. Tell the world what you’ve been able to achieve “Because I’m a Tech!”

 

 

 

Volvo renews support for TechForce scholarships

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Volvo recently renewed its commitment to supporting the next generation of technicians with a $30,000 contribution towards TechForce Foundation scholarships. Learn more about Volvo and its commitment to the future here>>

 
 
 
 
 

Meet TechForce scholarship recipient Kanda

Kanda_TechForce scholarship recipient-2

Kanda’s family moved to the U.S. while she was in grade school. Despite the challenges of learning a new language Kanda became the first in her family to graduate high school. Now, thanks to the guidance she received from her high school auto teacher Kanda is studying collision repair and recently earned a TechForce scholarship. Find out how TechForce can help you with your goals here>>

 
 
 

Christian Brothers Automotive: Now supporting TechForce

Christian Brothers Logo_Full Color_CMYK (1)Christian Brothers Automotive has joined the growing list of TechForce supporters with their recent $10,000 donation to TechForce’s scholarship programs. Learn more about Christian Brothers Automotive here>> 

 
 
 

Join TechForce for free training from our partners

Partner training_TechForce peer networkCan you easily explain how an electrical system works? Are you up to date on hybrid engines? Do you know how automated vehicles stay on the road? Stay up to date on advancing vehicle technology with free training from Advance Auto Parts, Cengage, Shell, WD-40, GM and other TechForce partners. Simply join TechForce’s peer network to get started>>

 
 
 
 

Get featured on TechForce social media – Tell us your story

September 2021 FutureTech Tuesday contest-1-1TechForce invites our peer network to tell us how you discovered your love of working with your hands. Was it fixing your bike, playing with blocks or taking shop class? Maybe you helped with a flat tire on a family road trip… Whatever your story, we want to hear it. A few lucky winners will be featured on TechForce social media for September’s FutureTech Tuesday. Enter your story here>>

 
 
 
 

How Luke Walker went from technician to repair shop owner

Luke Walker headshot - Jul2021-2-1Luke Walker knew from a young age that he wouldn’t be happy working behind a desk. Read our latest blog to learn how he turned his love for fixing things into a successful career as a technician and shop owner, and get his advice for anyone interested in working with their hands. Read the blog>>

 
 
 
 
 

Resources for veterans transitioning to civilian technician careers

TFF-veteransTechForce Foundation provides scholarships for veterans interested in technician training. You can find scholarships and additional training at JoinTechForce.org, the only online network built for future and working technicians. Get started>>

Current and former US service members are also eligible for career and technical education resources from the Departments of Defense, Labor, Education and Veteran’s Affairs. Learn more here>>

 
 
 
 

Join in on the fun: Contests in TechForce’s peer network

What celebrity is your ride winner_Betty White the bikeWe asked the TechForce peer network “What celebrity would your ride be, and why?” We received some great answers, and the network’s favorite response was Betty White (left) “because she never dies on me.”

Join in on the fun with contests at JoinTechForce.org

Thank you to all TechForce Foundation partners!

logo lockup 210713Associations: Automotive Communications Council, Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association (AMRA), American Rental Association (ARA), Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), ASE Education Foundation, ASE Training Managers Council (ATMC), Auto Care Association/Women in Auto Care, Center for Advanced Automotive Technology (CAAT), Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement (CADIA), Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR), Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence, National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada (NAACC), National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), National Center for Autonomous Technology (NCAT), SkillsUSA, STEAM Sports Foundation and American Trucking Association’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC)

Celebrities: Charles Sanville (The Humble Mechanic), Lyn St. James (IndyCar), Bogi Lateiner (Girl Gang Garage), Steve Johnson (Steve Johnson Racing – NHRA) and Julia Landauer (Julia Landauer Racing – NASCAR)

Women Techs Rock: How Sunstate tech Dee Lease learned to follow her heart

This technician spotlight is published as part of TechForce Foundation’s diversity initiatives. Help us find other women technicians to highlight in Women Techs Rock. Get started at TechForce.org/WomenTechStories


A selfie from Sunstate technician Dee Lease

Technician: Dara “Dee” Lease
Employer: Sunstate Equipment
Age: 31

Who is Dee Lease?

Raised by a single mother, Dee Lease understood the importance–and difficulty–of independence from an early age. Like so many other women, Dee had to walk down many different paths to find her way in this world. To start building a stable career and future, Dee was convinced by her peers to attend nursing school. Quickly Dee found that she was not following her heart and decided that nursing school was not a good fit for her skills and interests.

However, Dee always was a tinkerer, and she recognized that she had the right mindset and aptitude for technical work. More importantly, Dee came to appreciate that what she truly wanted was the sense of independence that comes from being able to understand how things work, and how to fix those same things when they stop working. Unfortunately, Dee’s high school did not offer much in the way of technical education, so Dee had to find it elsewhere.

Once again going against the advice and pressures from those around her, Dee would join the United States Navy to try and forge her own path through her life. Despite concerns from her mother, Dee finally found an environment in which she thrived, as a technician in the Navy’s FA/18 fighter jet program. Driven to continue furthering her education and life experiences, Dee learned about the G.I. Bill program that would provide the tuition assistance to offer her a chance at a professional education.

Through her research into her educational future, Dee came across Universal Technical Institute (UTI). Dee felt that automotive work fit well with her mechanical interests and aptitude, her military experience, and her continued journey for personal independence. At UTI, Dee began taking Ford-specific classes, believing that it would provide a stable future and an abundance of opportunities. However, while in school, she met a recruiter for Sunstate Equipment, a heavy equipment rental company.

Dee noticed how happy the recruiter was to be working for Sunstate, and the glowing reviews he gave the company and its work environment. Once again following her gut instinct, Dee interviewed with Sunstate and was hired immediately. Dee now works as a diesel and heavy equipment technician with Sunstate. To Dee, when things get difficult or out of her comfort zone, that’s when she knows she needs to continue to push forward to grow as a person.

Dee knows her profession is tough on women, and she continues to push through the resistance she faces, choosing instead to see the upside and turn difficult situations into learning moments and to gather motivation. Dee refused to become mired in the negatives.

Dee has found a life work balance that she understands not all others get to enjoy. She is in the process of adopting a one-year-old and looks forward to sharing the many life lessons she has learned. The most important lesson being to follow your passions as you grow older.

Dee’s next major career goal is to learn as much as possible about as much different heavy equipment and machinery so that she may further her training with Sunstate to become an equipment and technician trainer.

Q&A

Q: What would you tell other women considering this profession?
A: Dee believes the educational foundation is key, and that other women should look for where their passion lies. School should amplify their interests and advance their knowledge. Dee continued to learn things even when she thought she felt they were challenging, and now she can do things like read schematics and work with electronics as well as any other technician.
She believes it is important for technicians to continue to find opportunities to learn and advance their training. “Technology is going to advance, so you need to advance with it.”

Q: What mantra do you use when things get challenging?
A: “Fear is the false evidence appearing real. The acronym for F.E.A.R. is False Evidence Appearing Real.”
While Dee overcame challenges and plenty of negative feedback when choosing her career, she says she wouldn’t change her path for anything. It has grown her knowledge and confidence in ways she would not have considered prior.

Q: What is your dream form of transportation?
A: Dee dreams of a 1976 Chevrolet squarebody truck someday, but for now will settle for the reliability and safety her Honda Civic affords her–family being first.

Please share your contact details and a TechForce team member will contact you.


"By connecting students, instructors, industry pros and working techs, the TechForce Foundation provides unilateral support to the transportation industry’s technician recruiting needs… The administration of our Scholarships by the TechForce team has been instrumental in delivering us with a successful method to gain interest from qualified candidates as well as provide our students with additional assistance to complete their education."
Tony Farr
Ford Technical Programs Manager