Recognizing Women in the Repair and Replacement Industry
By Joshua Huff
Looking at the ratio of women to men in the auto glass repair and replacement industry, you’d notice a stark difference. Men comprise the majority of the industry, but that hasn’t stopped women from succeeding. Despite the lack of numbers, many women have risen through the ranks, helping shape the future of the auto glass repair and replacement industry. AGRR magazine wants to recognize those women and share their stories. In this issue, we talked with Ambar Martinez of Cali Auto Glass, Danielle Rollinson of Superior Auto Glass of Tampa Bay and Patricia Smiley of Quackt Glass. If you know an outstanding woman in the auto glass repair or replacement industry who you would like to see featured, please email your nominations to Abby Bowman at abowman@glass.com
Working Five Times as Hard
Ambar Martinez
CEO and Founder, Cali Auto Glass
Victorville, California
Ambar Martinez is something of a Renaissance woman. She has tried various fields throughout her career, from tax preparer to notary, but auto glass was the one that stuck. She said when she first started in the industry, she noticed a lack of customer service. She set out to change that. Martinez has been in the auto glass industry for more than 20 years. She started Cali Auto Glass in 2018. She said her company strives to remain ahead of the competition in as many ways as possible, such as offering ADAS calibrations.
What do you think is the most interesting part of auto glass work?
It has to be the innovation and technology that continually shapes it. From safety innovations, environmental sustainability, advanced materials and technologies, there will always be something new to learn.
What is the most important part of auto glass work?
Ensuring the structural integrity of vehicle glass, particularly windshields, is crucial for drivers, passengers and pedestrians’ safety. As important as it is for us technicians to know proper repair and installation techniques, it is just as important for customers to be armed with this knowledge. This will ensure customer trust and satisfaction, and they know the importance of choosing the right auto glass shop.
Is there a difference between owning a shop and working as a technician?
There is a big difference between being a technician and a shop owner, but they go hand in hand. There are days when I’m in full tech mode. On those days, I’m thinking about the external parts of making my shop run smoothly, such as putting in work that will get me the results I need for my shop to grow … When I solely focus on being the owner, I’m working on the internal. What steps can we take or implement to make our shop as efficient and effective as possible? At the end of the day, being the owner is all about trusting my team to do the right thing. As a tech, I can teach them and ensure they do everything correctly. They go hand in hand. I think to understand how to run a shop correctly, you have to know the physical work process, too.
As a woman, have you faced any challenges or advantages in the industry?
I most certainly face challenges in this industry. For one, we have limited representation. But I have to say the biggest challenge is the hostile work environments created by gender bias and stereotypes. It’s hard to get the same credibility for what I know about vehicles as any man, just because I am a woman. I have had to work five times as hard to get where I am today. The truth is that the auto industry is male‑dominated, but I am hoping to change that.
Treating It as Your Own
Danielle Leigh Rollinson
Auto Glass Replacement Technician, Superior Auto Glass of Tampa Bay
Tampa, Florida
You can say that the automotive industry runs in Danielle Leigh Rollinson’s blood. From a young age, she wanted to be in the industry and follow in her parents’ footsteps. When her mom, Linda Rollinson, opened Superior Auto Glass of Tampa Bay in 2007, Danielle Rollinson seized the opportunity to learn under her tutelage. She started as a customer service representative before working as a service advisor at multiple dealerships. She soon realized she wanted to install windshields rather than work for a dealership. She now installs auto glass and performs advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) calibrations for Superior Auto Glass as an Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC)‑certified technician.
What makes your windshield replacement abilities stand out?
I always strive to do what is supposed to be done according to the industry standards and my attention to detail. I’m never afraid to ask questions, accept constructive criticism and apply new knowledge to every installation. Having the family name on our work and taking pride in what we do from start to finish.
As a woman, have you faced any challenges or advantages in the industry?
Biologically, as women, we cannot physically match the manpower that is necessary at times. However, with a two‑person set and access to proper tools, anyone trained properly can repair and install auto glass. Many people say women pay better attention to detail. I believe it’s all in the mindset of how you view the vehicle. Every vehicle should be treated as if it is your own. Every customer deserves that professionalism and respect.
Organizing the Chaos
Patricia Smiley
President, Quackt Glass
Columbia, South Carolina
Patricia Smiley is no stranger to the auto glass business. She has more than 20 years of experience at Glasspro and Quackt Glass. She started her career as a customer service representative before moving up the ranks. “I started from the bottom and literally have worked my way up,” she said. She spent 18 years as the training and quality manager at Glasspro and the past four years as the president of Quackt Glass. Smiley also has an MBA. Smiley says she was hooked early on by the “organized chaos” of the industry. She explained that she started at a small auto glass shop and went through the expected growing pains as she progressed to leadership roles in larger shops.
What is the most interesting part of auto glass work?
The auto glass industry is never the same. Each day is different.
What is the most important part of auto glass work?
Setting the customers’ expectations. If you set the expectations beforehand, it helps with the end results of a chip repair.
As a woman, have you faced any challenges or advantages in the industry?
Absolutely. Let’s face it: this industry is male dominated. However, as a woman, I have the ability to know both sides of the business. I have financial knowledge (billing and accounting). I know the service side of the industry (upset customers), and I have sales and marketing experience. I also enjoyed working with some of the best technical training managers in the industry, Jeff Olive and Jason Horne. If you are a woman in this industry, you can cement your place if you gain technical knowledge. Being a double threat is absolutely a big flex for women in this industry.
To view the laid‑in version of this issue in our digital edition, CLICK HERE.
