Meet a Staffer: Missy Stephens

Title: Manager, Community Engagement 
Years at the Association: New Hire
Email address: missy.stephens@autocare.org
Favorite apps: LinkedIn, Open Table, Amazon
Words to live by/motto: "You get what you give."

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START AT THE AUTO CARE ASSOCIATION?

I worked for association members for 20 years before my employment with the association. My first real involvement began about five years ago when I began volunteering as a Champion for Women in Auto Care. I joined the Leadership Committee for Women in Auto Care a year ago.

WHAT ARE YOUR WORK DUTIES AT THE ASSOCIATION? CAN YOU DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY?

Sometimes I feel like the luckiest woman in the world. I spend my days doing something I am passionate about. I get to work with an amazing group of women, the Women in Auto Care Leadership Committee, to help drive its mission of connecting, empowering and mentoring women within the auto care industry. I support them with their initiatives around sponsorships, scholarships, awards, mentoring, virtual events and an annual conference.

 

IN WHICH DEPARTMENT DO YOU WORK? WHAT ARE THE KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT?

I work for the community engagement department. Our job as a team is to support the 11 communities within the association. We strive for these communities to bring value to the Auto Care Association members. Our communities offer a space to network and connect across the industry.

WHERE ELSE HAVE YOU WORKED?

I spent nine years with Advance Auto Parts, leaving as a field process manager and five years with NAPA as a tools and equipment category manager.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHAT ARE SOME INTERESTING DETAILS ABOUT YOUR LIFE BEFORE WORKING AT THE ASSOCIATION?

I grew up in Anderson, Ind., which was home to 20 GM Delco Remy plants at one time. I worked in Plant 11 as a part of my high school co-op program as a senior in high school. I helped manage the orders for parts to rebuild alternators. Automotive has always been in my blood. I have not worked outside of the automotive aftermarket since I was 19.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WORKING AT THE ASSOCIATION? WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST REWARDS?

Hands down, the team spirit and culture. It is amazing to work for one team striving for the same common goal and helping each other every step of the way.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT AT THE AUTO CARE ASSOCIATION SO FAR?

In my illustrious two-month career with the association, I don’t know that I have hit a professional accomplishment yet. I am still learning the ropes!

WHAT UNIQUE QUALITIES DO YOU FEEL YOU BRING TO THE AUTO CARE ASSOCIATION?

I think my years in the automotive aftermarket in a range of positions in both the field and at a corporate level give me a unique point of view. I am very thankful to have found an industry that I loved at such a young age and that has given me so many opportunities to grow over the last 25+ years.

WHAT ARE YOUR LONG-RANGE PROFESSIONAL GOALS FOR BOTH YOU AND THE AUTO CARE ASSOCIATION?

I hope to be able to continue to advocate for and on behalf of this industry for years to come.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL ARE THE BIGGEST REWARDS OF WORKING IN THE AUTO CARE INDUSTRY?

The people, for sure. I have met so many wonderful people throughout the years, many I consider close friends.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK.

I credit the industry for my marriage, as I met my husband years ago when I was running a parts store and he was working at the body shop across the street. I would have never dreamed the day he walked in. I was meeting the man I would marry years later. We have a beautiful, blended family: a daughter, two sons and two dogs! Now that the kids are getting older, my husband and I like to go on small, random road trips usually centered around a small town festival, a car show or a destination restaurant.

TELL US A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WOULD SURPRISE PEOPLE.

I am a certified Child Advocate. Much like automotive is in my blood, advocacy, is also. I love to mushroom hunt (morels) when the season comes every year.