More than 30 years of industry experience helped Kathleen Schmatz go from volunteering at the Bethesda-based Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) to becoming the head of the organization.
Schmatz had worked with Akron, Ohio-based Babcox, a leading automotive aftermarket publisher, when AAIA was looking for a new president and CEO. It might have been a top-ranking position in a male-dominated industry, but Schmatz, as she said, had “a midlife decision.”
“About 150 people applied for the position,” Schmatz said. “It was a grueling interview and application process.”
But those years with Babcox paid off, as Schmatz brought with her numerous contacts in the auto industry and years of management experience. She was named president and CEO of AAIA in January 2004.
“It was a very formal and comprehensive search,” said Rich White, AAIA?s senior vice president of marketing and member relations. “I?m proud of the men who interviewed her to have the courage to select her as the best candidate.”
AAIA is an international organization that represents more than 17,000 companies that manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, equipment and supplies. The automotive aftermarket is a $270 billion industry, Schmatz said.
“There are actually more licensed vehicles in the country than there are licensed drivers,” Schmatz said. “People love their cars.”
Lobbying and government relations has become a big part of Schmatz?s job. She?s been calling for Congress to pass the Motor Vehicles Owners? Right to Repair Act, which would require car manufacturers to make the information they provide to their dealerships available to independent service shops.
“Consumers have a right to choose where they get their car serviced,” Schmatz said. “It?s an eternal frustration to me. We?ve made progress, but we are still struggling with that.”
AAIA represents all kinds of members in the automotive supply chain, and White said Schmatz is able to see what?s best for the individual members as well as the association.
“You?ve gotta be Switzerland when you lead an association that represents so many different segments,” White said.
Schmatz has also become a nationally recognized advocate of the automotive aftermarket, frequently appearing on television and speaking about the industry.
“She?s very energized to do what she believes is best for individuals,” said Richard Morgan, AAIA?s chairman of the board. “She can take on any challenge we present to her.”
KATHLEEN SCHMATZ
First job: I worked at a convenience store called Lawson?s in Ohio.
Education: Bachelor?s in journalism from Kent State University, master?s in mass media from the University of Akron.
Daily e-mails received: Hundreds.
Daily voicemails received: One or two.
Favorite gadget: My BlackBerry ? I don?t go anywhere without it.
Career objective: To be an advocate for the aftermarket industry and to have fun doing it.
Essential Web sites: Automotive news sites, news sites, government sites.
Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y.
Birth date: April 11, 1950.
Original aspiration: I wanted to be a television news host.
