Seven women were honored at the seventh annual Akzo Nobel Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry Awards program held at the Four Season's Hotel during NACE.  

Twila Harris, Nashville, Tennesssee; Margo Smith, Independence Missouri; Yumi Vaught, Renton, Washington, and Diane Rodenhouse, Grand Rapids, Michigan, were among those honored.

This year also marks the largest class of honorees from Canada. Cheryl Cotton- Schmidt, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Manon Duplantie, Mirable, Quebec; and Carolle Larose, Lonjueuil, Quebec, was also in the esteemed group of women honored at the special event.

Honored at NACE by Akzo Nobel as the industry's Most Influential Women were (front row, seated left to right) Manon Duplantie, Margo Smith and Carolle Larose; (back row standing, left to right) Diane Rodenhouse, Cheryl Cotton-Schmidt, Twila Harris and Yumi Vaught.

"This year's recipients have proven their ambition as well as dedication to the industry," said North America Car Refinishes Director of Marketing Tim Loden. "Their pursuit of excellence extends beyond their own businesses to touch the industry and their respective communities. We are pleased to honor these seven great leaders."

Vaught and Rodenhouse have also taken steps to assure the future of the industry in the political arena. Vaught is currently promoting a bill that would prevent any insurer from having a financial interest in a collision repair shop in the state of Washington. As the director of Autobody Craftsman Association for the state, she has arranged an annual legislative day. The second event will be held on January 25, 2006.

Rodenhouse's work has already come to fruition. She was an advocate for the Michigan Public Act 190, which prevents insurers from unreasonably restricting the insured from selecting the shop of his or her own choice for automotive repairs. On July 8, 2004, Rodenhouse stood at the side of Governor Jennifer Granholm as she signed the bill into effect.

Many of the recipients garnered other industry awards and certifications. Smith received the National Auto Body Council Presidents Award in 2002 and the Collision Industry Hall of Eagles. Schmidt and her husband were recognized by CARSTAR Automotive Canada in 2002 with the Pride Award. Schmidt also helped her company obtain ISO 9001:2000 International Standards Certification.

Duplantie and Harris have had a direct impact on the profitability and success of their respective businesses. Duplantie has seen a 350% increase in sales since she joined Fix Auto Canada. Harris' body shop sales are projected to reach $2.5 million by the end of the year and she played a vital role in helping the company with its Blue Oval certification.

Larose has raised industry awareness through her work as the Managing Director of the Comite sectorial de main-d'oeuvre des services automobiles. She helped create a promotional campaign that featured Patrick Carpentier. Prior to joining the industry she worked in health care where she organized 46,000 nurses into a union.

Akzo Nobel will again award a scholarship of $25,000 in the name of the Most Influential Women, to the I-CAR Education Foundation. The funds will be used for prospective females students pursuing a career in the collision repair industry. 

The Most Influential Women program began in 1998, by Akzo Nobel to recognize the unique leadership characteristics, accomplishments and contributions of women to the collision repair industry.