LAS VEGAS — The Car Care Council Women’s Board announced Lisa Kranc, senior vice president, marketing, AutoZone Inc., as the sixth annual “Aftermarket Woman of the Year.” The announcement was made at the 2009 Women’s Board reception, last night at the Sands Expo Center. 
“We are all very proud of Lisa and applaud her many years of dedicated service to the automotive aftermarket,” said Katie Noga, Women’s Board president. “We are honored to have her represent all women within the industry.”
Kranc was chosen by the Women’s Board membership and special programs committee, based on her longevity in the aftermarket, her career accomplishments, her leadership capabilities and dedication to the automotive aftermarket industry.
Kranc has held her current position since 2001. She is one of AutoZone’s nine-member executive committee team, lead by the CEO/president, and oversees business and marketing strategy development and implementation. She is also involved with the development of all advertising and media plans, as well as leads consumer research efforts.
Beginning her marketing career in 1977, Kranc has held positions such as manager at the Clorox Co., senior marketing director for Cadbury Schweppes, and vice president, marketing for both Giant Eagle Inc. and Hannaford Brothers.
She is a member of the AAIA and Car Care Council executive committees, is a board member of the Brandeis University Alumni Association, serves as board member and marketing committee chairman of the Greater Memphis Arts Council and is involved in Leadership Maine Alumna – Zeta Class.
Kranc holds a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University with a major in American Studies, and an MBA from Columbia University in marketing. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Kranc grew up in Plainfield, Conn.
Women’s Board Awards 2009 Scholarship Winner
Also last night during its reception the WB presented Jessica Randby of Duluth, Minn., with a $2,500 post-secondary scholarship, as part of the WB scholarship program, now in its seventh year. 
Randby attends Lake Superior College, where she is in the automotive service technology program. She lists her career goals as achieving certification from the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and going on to open her own repair and body shop. In the future, she would like to hold car care seminars for women so that “more women can learn how important it is to maintain their vehicles and gain basic knowledge of how their vehicles operate.”
Randby is an actively involved student and serves as president of her school’s Auto Service Club. Through the club she volunteers in community events such as Lights on for Safety and World of Wheels. In high school, Randby was an officer in the Skills USA club and participated in state competitions. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors as well as working on other machinery.
“To receive such a renowned scholarship feels amazing,” said Randby. “I feel that most men see women in the automotive field as a nuisance, but I want to prove that we can really excel in this field. Being a woman in this industry may be tough, but I want to stick with it, and the Women’s Board scholarship is allowing me to do so.”
“The Women’s Board Scholarship Committee received applications from talented and deserving young women from all across the country, so I am thrilled to congratulate Jessica on her accomplishments and dedication to pursuing a career in the automotive industry,” said Noga.
The comprehensive Women’s Board scholarship program awards scholarships not only to post-secondary students, but also to female high school students who plan on entering the automotive field upon graduation. This year a $1,000 high school scholarship was awarded to Jennifer Fleming of Longmont, Colo. Chanel Abinader of Jamaica, N.Y., and Alyssa Schweda of Phoenix, Ariz., won the $1,000 technician scholarships.
