Askpatty.Com CEO Jody DeVere to Receive Distinguished Service Award

Jody DeVere, founder and CEO of AskPatty.com, will receive the Women’s Automotive Association International Distinguished Service Award.

The award will be presented during the 14th annual WAAI Spirit of Leadership Awards Reception, slated for Feb. 9 at the Peabody in Orlando.

DeVere founded AskPatty.com in 1999 as a website to provide advice to women on automotive-related topics and to teach strategies to enhance women’s experiences in dealing with car dealers and service providers. She also created the AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly program, taking training and education in creating and sustaining business with female customers.

That program started with car dealers, and expanded to include tire dealers and auto service centers in both the U.S. and Canada.

A long-time member of the WAAI board of directors, who previously served as chairman, DeVere currently holds the position of vice chairman and treasurer. She also is a member of the Car Care Council’s Women’s Board, the California State Advisory Board for SkillsUSA and the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network.

“Jody has worked tirelessly and energetically on behalf of our association for many years,” stated Lorraine Schultz, WAAI founder and CEO. “Her enthusiasm and dedication have been a guiding light, and we are privileged to recognize her exemplary service.”

WAAI also will present Spirit of Leadership awards to four prominent industry women. Honorees include Joy Libert-Gelb, president of Yonkers Motors, Yonkers, N.Y.; Barbara Pilarski, vice president of business development for Chrysler Group; Margery Krevsky, founder and CEO of Productions Plus-The Talent Shop; and Andra Rush, CEO of Rush Trucking.

“It is an honor and very humbling to be recognized along with such distinguished and accomplished women,” said DeVere. “My work with WAAI has always been a labor of love, and I am grateful to receive this award from my peers.”

Founded in 1995, WAAI centers its efforts on recognizing the achievements of women in the automotive industry, providing networking and relationship-building opportunities, and encouraging growth through mentoring, educational endeavors and scholarships.

Ascot Supply Corporation, based in Newnan, Georgia, has selected Mark Paquette for the newly created position of vice president. In this position, Ascot Supply said Paquette will oversee the growth of the company's products, corporate profitability, manage marketing and advertising and assume many other responsibilities.

He will work under the direction of current President David Kessler and officially begin his new role on June 3. Paquette joined the tire and automotive industry in the early 1980s at his father's tire shop, and his contributions to Mohawk Rubber Sales were instrumental in the company's growth and eventual sale to Myers Tire Supply in 2021, according to Ascot Supply. Paquette eventually was given a promotion to the role of director of operations at Myers Tire Supply.