AWARE (Advancing Women in Automotive Retail Enterprises Ltd.) continues to move the retail auto industry forward, develop the next generation of leaders, and establish the new car culture of the future with the launch of its new Leadership Series Events in Colleyville, Texas, July 18, 2006, October 17, 2006, January 16, 2007, April 17, 2007, and July 17, 2007. AWARE's first event addresses"Mentorship to Move Your Career Forward." 

"AWARE's mission is to bring AWARE members and guests together to promote a place of power and influence. These events will allow women in the retail automotive industry to network with others in the industry and advance in their career goals," said Caryl Herschman, AWARE founder and president.

This launch has been formed by a new AWARE member team in Texas, spearheaded by Maria L. Longnecker, director of financial services, Saturn of Lewisville, and her leadership team, Sherry A. Miller, vice president of human resources, Park Place Dealerships, and Robbie Addison, Mechanical Division manager of the Automotive Service Association (ASA). "I am proud of AWARE's members who are talented, outstanding business professionals," said Herschman.

All industry professionals are invited to this event. "We recognize that people are your greatest assets and mentorships are important to move your careers and businesses forward. Mentorship is paramount in this industry and we encourage you to join us," said the AWARE team.

At the July meeting, Longnecker will provide the opening remarks, Herschman will present "Take the Lead and Be a Developer!" and Miller will present "Lean on Me - The Art of Mentoring."

Longnecker has been a pioneer for women since the 1970s from the "March on Houston" with the National Organization for Women for Equal Rights Amendment to the 1980s when she was the past vice president on the board of directors for the Federation of Houston Professional Women. Longnecker began her career in the retail automotive industry with Jay Marks Toyota/Houston in 1994 and she is currently AFIP certified as the director of financial services for Saturn of Lewisville. She joined AWARE with the purpose of continuing her role as a pioneer to lead an AWARE Texas committee and launch AWARE quarterly luncheons in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

Miller has 34 years of human resource experience and has led Park Place Dealerships as their vice president of human resources since May 2003. Park Place Lexus, both in Plano and Grapevine, Texas, is the first dealership to receive the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, which they received in 2005.

"To create an award-winning dealership group such as Park Place, it is essential to maintain the highest degree of ethical behavior and to hire and retain talented people," said Miller. Before joining Park Place, she had 31 years of corporate human resource experience from various industries, such as insurance, oil, gas, manufacturing and high tech. Miller has held a senior-level human resource position for the past 12 years of her career.