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From time to time our editorial team selects an expert from the aftermarket industry to get to know him a little better. Participants are asked to answer a series of questions that can be answered in about the same amount of time as you would spend talking at the coffee pot in the office or waiting for an elevator. In this episode of “5 Minutes With,” we meet Allison Chisenhall-Harding, Vintage Air’s Chief Operating Officer.
Harding has a degree in chemical engineering and a passion for cars. When she’s not optimizing manufacturing and production at Vintage Air, she’s on the road in her 1957 Chevy Corvette. She recently received the Richard F. and Eleanor A. Towner Prize. In addition to being the Chair of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network Resources Committee, she is also a graduate of the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
What was your first job in the industry?
My first auto job was actually at Vintage Air. I left college and went first into cancer research and then into defense. I only came to Vintage Air three years ago, first as a manufacturing engineer, then into design and then into the role I am in now.
What do you like best about your current position?
I love working with people. I think a lot of people who are engineers don’t always think that way. When I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do and I realized that I enjoy working with people, I found that kind of unique and needed to learn how to put this into an engineering role. I also attach great importance to fast pace – especially in the production that I work with. Most of the time, like now, you have to get the product out the door, so it gives you a drive and a way to get your focus back on track.
Did you originally want to pursue a career in the aftermarket? If not, what attracted you to the industry and what is it that keeps you here?
Well, I kind of grew up in this industry. All my life, as a kid, I went to car shows. That was exactly what we did, so I always had that interest in it. It’s just a really unique industry because it’s about people’s hobbies, which I think is cool.
What do you do when you are not at work?
I am currently working on my master’s degree [degree], so that takes up most of my non-working time. But when I do fun things I love to travel with my friends and family. I like to be really active. We always go on hikes or bike rides or to fitness classes. I also love to cook.
Which word best sums up your personality?
I definitely think that would stimulate. I always take this to be the word people refer to me as. I just don’t really know how to stop.
What was your first car
The first was a 1956 Thunderbird. I got it when I was 16. It was in terrible shape. I would go to the mall with my friends and in the middle of the intersection it would just die. So I had very good early experiences with why people like to upgrade their old cars.
If you could travel back in time, where and what of the era would you like to visit?
I love the clothes and style of women’s clothes from the 50s. I’m obsessed with the way it looks, but I don’t think my slightly feminist-oriented personality could have made it [back then]. I think it might have been better for me to travel in advance.
Favorite quote / mantra / motto?
My favorite quote is, “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” You want to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you, more educated, or more experienced, just so you can keep learning.