The collision repair industry has traditionally been a male-dominated field. For decades, women owners, managers, estimators, technicians, painters, and the female mechanic were the exception rather than the rule. At Old Dominion Collision Repair Center, however, women have played an important role in shaping our culture, our reputation, and our commitment to customer service for many years.
A Legacy of Female Leadership
One of the most influential leaders in our company’s history is Patricia McConnell, who owned and led Old Dominion until her retirement in 2015. At a time when female shop owners were rare, Patricia built upon the company’s strong reputation for quality repairs while bringing an elevated focus on customer experience, community involvement, and client education.
Patricia understood that many customers, particularly women, often felt intimidated by the repair process. She worked to change that. Her goal was to ensure every customer felt informed, respected, and comfortable throughout their repair experience. She even hosted a community education program called “What Women Auto Know,” which helped women learn the basics of vehicle maintenance, collision repair, and navigating the automotive world with confidence.
Her leadership helped establish a culture that valued not only exceptional craftsmanship, but also trust, communication, and service. Those values remain at the heart of Old Dominion today.
Still Underrepresented, But Making Strides
While the industry has made progress, women are still underrepresented in many collision repair roles. Female owners, technicians, painters, estimators, managers, and the female mechanic remain relatively uncommon compared to other professions. That reality makes it even more important to recognize and support the women helping move the industry forward.
Today, Old Dominion is proud to continue the tradition of women in leadership and technical roles. Across the industry, the role of the female mechanic continues to grow as more women pursue careers in automotive and collision repair fields.
Women Leading the Industry in Oregon
As part of the ownership team and serving as Service Manager, Loni Waltasti helps lead daily operations while advocating for the future of the collision repair industry statewide. In addition to her role at Old Dominion, Loni serves on the founding Board of Directors of the Oregon Collision Repair Association (OCRA), helping build an organization dedicated to supporting collision repair professionals through education, collaboration, and advocacy.
Loni serves alongside several other respected women who are helping shape the future of the industry in Oregon, including Lora Ashworth of Automotive Calibration Services, April White, owner of White’s Collision, and Mercedes Wattenbarger, owner and female mechanic at REV Auto Body & Restorations.
Growing Careers at Old Dominion
Within Old Dominion, women continue to contribute in both leadership and technical positions. Kaileigh Taliaferro has worked in virtually every front-office role within the company, including estimator, bringing extensive knowledge and experience to our team. Gabbie Lewis, one of our estimators, previously worked as a detailer and represents the next generation of women building careers in collision repair. As more opportunities become available, many young women are exploring paths that include becoming a female mechanic, technician, estimator, or shop manager.
Today, our team of approximately 20 employees reflects the values Patricia championed years ago: professionalism, education, community involvement, and a commitment to making every customer feel respected and informed.
Building a Stronger, More Diverse Future
As the collision repair industry continues to evolve, Old Dominion remains proud of the women who have helped shape our past and those who are helping lead its future. Their contributions strengthen not only our business, but the industry as a whole.
We are grateful for the legacy Patricia McConnell built and excited to see the next generation of women continue to make their mark on collision repair. The growing presence of the female mechanic is just one example of how the industry is becoming stronger, more diverse, and better prepared for the future.
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