At Herb Chambers, we believe that passion, determination, and a supportive environment are key ingredients for success. Katie, who is one of only a handful of female technicians across all of our dealerships embodies these values. Her journey, from watching her uncles race cars to becoming a skilled technician, is a testament to what can be achieved with persistence and hard work.
Katie’s path into the field wasn’t a straightforward one. “I grew up around cars. A couple of my uncles raced cars, so I was always at the racetrack when I was younger,” she recalls. “I never really thought I was going to work on cars, but once I graduated high school, I needed a job. I started at Valvoline doing quick lube. I worked there for five years and became an assistant manager.” She then explained, that’s when I told myself, ‘Okay, I think I can do this.’ But I was getting sick of just doing oil changes all day and realized I needed to get my foot in the door somewhere else and really get my hands dirty. So, I applied here, and I’ve been at Lincoln ever since.”
When Katie joined Herb Chambers Lincoln, she was ready for a new challenge but quickly realized it wouldn’t be easy. “When I first started here, I couldn’t lift the Navigator tires!” The Lincoln Navigator is the largest SUV in the Lincoln line up. Katie continues, “Those 22-inch rims are huge, and I’m not a big girl,” she chuckles. “Everyone was kind of helping me out, lifting tires when I needed them to. But now? I don’t need to ask for help with anything. Now, people come to me looking for help, which is pretty cool.”
She admits that her first day on the job was especially tough. “They had me working with a guy that mostly worked on Navigators, and I thought to myself, ‘I can’t do this. If this is how it’s going to be every day, there’s no way I could keep up.’ I went to my boss and thanked him for the opportunity but told him I didn’t think this was for me. But he looked at me and said, ‘Quitting isn’t an option.’ He didn’t care what it would take to keep me here—and that was day one.”
Katie has worked hard to hone her skills, and she credits the training opportunities at Herb Chambers for helping her advance. “There’s always training courses going on. I’ve taken many online courses and even some in-person classes. At this point, it’s just a matter of getting the years of experience to get my masters.” Becoming a Master Technician for Lincoln is an extensive process that takes about ten years to complete. In addition to her Herb Chambers training, Katie will participate in a rigorous training program through Ford/Lincoln and will have to pass a series of certification exams, that will help her achieve the highest level of expertise to earn the “Master Technician” title. Her goal is clear: to become a master technician and eventually a senior master technician. “Right now, I do pretty much everything except engines and transmissions. Eventually, I’d like to be able to do all of it.”
When asked what she thought the most valuable skill she has learned during her time with us was, Katie replied, “time management.” Katie notes, it’s one of the most valuable skills she’s learned on the job. “It’s a skill you really need to develop in this field,” she says.
Katie’s perseverance paid off, and now she hopes her story can inspire others, especially women, to join the field. “When I first started doing this, I thought to myself that this might be a little intimidating, working in a male-dominated role surrounded by a bunch of men. But you have to put that fear aside and go for it. Don’t let fear or anyone else stand in your way.” Her advice to women considering a career in automotive technology? “Don’t limit yourself, and don’t be afraid to set out to do what you want. Just keep going.”
Katie’s experience at Herb Chambers has been overwhelmingly positive, and she’s excited to continue growing her career. “There aren’t a lot of women in this industry, and it’s important for me to be true to myself. I hope more women feel encouraged to apply for tech positions like my own or even other jobs they wouldn’t normally apply for.”
Our company is incredibly proud of Katie’s accomplishments and the determination she’s shown in her role. Her story is a reminder that with the right support, the sky's the limit—and we hope it inspires others to take that leap.