The
Car Care Council Women's Board
is pleased to announce Deborah Bjorklund,
president/principle owner of TMR (The Main
Resource), has been chosen as the eighth annual
"Aftermarket Woman of the Year," while Audra
Fordin, Great Bear Auto Shop, has been named the
first "Female Service Shop Owner of the Year."
The announcement was made at the 2011 Women's
Board reception, Tues., Nov. 1, during the
Automotive Aftermarket Products
Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas, Nev.
“I would like to congratulate Deborah and Audra
on being named the 2011 Aftermarket Woman of the
Year and the 2011 Female Service Shop Owner of
the Year, respectively,” said WB president Ruth
Ehlinger, AAA. “They are both highly regarded in
their industry segments for their dedication and
commitment to educating and empowering women. We
are honored to have them represent all women
within the industry.”
Aftermarket Woman of the Year
Bjorklund began her career in the automotive
aftermarket more than 17 years ago as a general
manager for Will-Fix Automotive. She purchased
TMR (The Main Resource) in Sarasota, Fla. in
December 2005. Today, not only is TMR woman-
owned, but the company is totally managed by
women. Over the years, she has more than doubled
the size of the company and is the source
(directly and indirectly) of employment for more
than 100 families.
TMR is a manufacturer and distributor to the
automotive aftermarket, providing several lines
to support the distribution network to
automotive repair shops. It is also a
manufacturer and distributor to the automotive
equipment industry, providing parts and
accessories for tire changers, wheel balancers
and brake lathes.
Bjorklund graduated from the University of South
Florida. She is a member of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association
(AAIA), as well as a participant in the Tire
Industry Association (TIA). TMR is an exhibitor
at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo
(AAPEX), Specialty Equipment Market Association
(SEMA), Autopromotec and Reifen.
Bjorklund was chosen by the Women’s Board
membership and special programs committee, based
on her longevity in the aftermarket, her career
accomplishments, her leadership capabilities and
dedication to the automotive aftermarket
industry.
Female Service Shop Owner of the
Year
Fordin is the fourth generation and the first
female owner/operator of her family’s automotive
repair business, Great Bear Auto Shop in
Flushing, N.Y., which has been in the same
location since 1933. Fordin has been in the auto
repair industry all of her life – close to 30
years. While growing up, she spent weekends
going to the shop with her dad, learning all
aspects of automotive repair.
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Fordin holds monthly workshops to educate women
and men on basic auto repair and maintenance.
Her goal is to empower women to not be
intimidated by the “machine” that they drive.
She believes that every woman should be able to
understand how a car runs and how to maintain
the life of their car. At her workshops, she
collects donations to help pay for auto repairs
on women’s cars who cannot afford to have the
work done. In addition to her workshops, Fordin
educates women on car care through a weekly
radio call-in show called “The Auto Lab” and
through her website www.womenautoknow.com.
Fordin was recognized as a “Rising Star in
Queens” in 2011 for her workshops as well as a
“Distinguished Citizen of Queens” by the local
council members. Her repair shop was recently
honored by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
as the 2011 New York City Small Business of the
Year for all her efforts to educate and empower
women.
Fordin attended Arizona State University and is
ASE Certified, Tech certified, NYS Inspection
certified and ICAR trained.
The Women’s Board is comprised of professional
women and men, including company executives,
service shop owners, service writers, motor
sports figures, association executives and
consultants, who are dedicated to informing
female audiences about proper vehicle
maintenance and safety, while encouraging young
people to investigate automotive career
choices.
For more information about the
Car Care Council Women’s Board, visit www.women.carcare.org or
e-mail womensboar
[email protected].