Ladies, Start Your Engines

The upcoming AERA Expo engine rebuilding industry event in Las Vegas, Nev., will feature the first-ever Women’s Engine Builder Challenge.
The Clevite Engine Parts Women’s Engine Builder Challenge will be held on Saturday, April 30 at 1:00 p.m. in North Hall N1 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
"Clevite Engine Parts is proud to host the first ever Women’s Engine Builder Challenge as part of the AERA Show. It’s an effort to recognize the many contributions that women make to the engine building and rebuilding industry and to also recognize that the skills they possess go beyond business administration," said Ted Hughes, marketing brand manager for Clevite Engine Parts. "The show will no doubt be exciting, as we’ve tapped into some of the best female talent and dedication in the industry."
"I am honoured to be participating in the first ever Women’s Engine Builder Challenge and feel it is deserved recognition for women in the engine rebuilding industry," said participant Susan Degan. Degan is president of Engine Lab of Tampa, Inc. and has 11 years of experience in the industry.
"It is wonderful that Clevite has recognized this, and my goal is for this event to become a showcase for women in the industry to show off their talents just as their male counterparts do. Thank you Clevite for taking this very important step."
Degan’s engine build partner, Gail Ault said, "I am honoured and excited to participate in the Clevite Women’s Engine Builder Challenge. I want to give a big thanks to Clevite for giving us this wonderful opportunity to show how women can complement the automotive industry, and how men and women can work together to make this industry strong."
Ault is vice-president and general manager of Ault and James, an engine rebuilder in Dayton, Ohio. Ault and helped to start Ault and James in 1984.