Edmonton Counterperson Named Tops in Canada’s Automotive Aftermarket

Mary Mackie, a veteran counterperson with aftermarket auto parts wholesaler Warehouse Services Inc. in Edmonton Alberta has been named as the recipient of the 2008 Jobber News Counterperson of the Year.

Mackie, who has been working as a counterperson for 18 years, joined Warehouse Services Inc. five years ago. She was chosen from more than 100 nominees for what is formally named the Abe Schwartz Memorial Award, who worked behind the counter of Toronto jobber British Auto Supply for more than 50 years.

The award is managed by Jobber News Magazine, which was founded in 1931 and still Canada’s only magazine dedicated to the automotive aftermarket distribution chain. The award is sponsored by Canada-based Carrus Technologies, which supplies business systems to automotive aftermarket.

A full profile of Mary Mackie will appear in the December issue of Jobber News Magazine

“From the time she picked up the phone, I knew we had made the right choice,” says Jobber News publisher and editor Andrew Ross. “Her bright voice and lively manner are no doubt a key reason she was nominated by customers and colleagues alike.”

“It’s cool,” says Mackie about receiving the honour. “It’s wonderful, though it’s a bit embarrassing. I’m not one for seeking attention,” she adds. After having worked behind the counter at other operations, she joined the Uni-Select member and ACDelco distributor five years ago.

“WSI is always supportive. They always back you and they never say no. All I have to do is find the parts,” she says.

“Mary has over the years provided service as a counterperson that simply stated makes her the best in the business. Through her dedication and professionalism to this trade she is a person that certainly needs to be looked upon as a mentor and leader and a deserving recipient of the award,” said customer Ivan Brown of Integra Tire & Auto Centre in his nomination letter. “Mary is the go to person for anything tough. She has an uncanny ability to grab onto a problem and take ownership of it, and solve it. I do not remember a time where when we handed a problem to her that she did not respond with excellence.”

“I can’t say enough about the following she has in this marketplace,” says Zara Wishloff, CSP sales manager for WSI. “WSI has gone through unprecedented growth and change in the last five years and in these stressful times Mary ‘plugs away’ with an increasingly stressful workload with her gentle mannerisms, great attitude, and friendly sense of humour. With Alberta’s economy, the pressure on all people is high. It is a pleasure to have someone like Mary on our team to keep us grounded, and perform above the bar every time it is raised.”