• Title: Corporate Controller
• Years of Service: 38
• What Makes it Better at Beans: The people
• What is Fred Beans’ Secret to Success: “I think that the company’s involvement in the communities they serve has built a customer and employee base that appreciates this and strengthens the customer experience.”

Women’s History Month is the ideal time to highlight the contributions of the Women of Beans who make it Better at Beans. From cashier to corporate controller, Barb Swan has dedicated 38 years to Fred Beans, moving into positions of increased responsibility and mentoring colleagues along the way. Barb noted, "I have hired young people and others who are new to this industry, and I have helped them grow both professionally and personally. It's been great to see them want to develop their own passion for the business and set their path for success. It's rewarding to know that I may have played a small part in that."

Barb said she has seen the company grow from a few hundred employees to a few thousand, but "that family feeling is still here." That especially rings true for her, because she met her husband of 34 years at Beans.

• Title: Warranty Admin
• Years of Service: 24
• What Makes it Better at Beans: Coworkers
• What is Fred Beans’ Secret to Success: “Winning the Best Places to Work several times speaks for itself. The company always finds ways to stay current and competitive while finding ways to support their employees and keep them happy.”

Paige Hartman joined Fred Beans in 2000, right after her high school graduation. She continued working as a part-time cashier while attending PSU and gradually began taking on more hours to help out with accounting. Paige stepped into her current role of warranty administrator in 2003 and never looked back. She said she is grateful for the support from so many coworkers while moving through life’s milestones, including raising three children. “They aren't just my coworkers, they are 100% my family, and without their guidance and support, I don't know where I'd be today!”

Paige reflected on being among the Women of Beans recognized this Women’s History Month, noting, “I feel so proud that I can tell people I have been working at Fred Beans for almost 25 years… I never had any thoughts of working in the industry, so it's funny to see how my path changed and led me to where I was meant to be… I love the work, the people I work with, our customers - everything!”

• Title: Mechanical and Powertrain Specialist
• Years of Service: 21
• What Makes it Better at Beans: The support
• What is Fred Beans’ Secret to Success: “Ability to grow and learn. The business is always changing and growing. You need to be able to have a growth mindset, be passionate, and able to communicate.”

As a mechanical and powertrain specialist, Christy Rumer knows she is in a select group of females to have such a role. This has only motivated Christy to sustain a 21-year career with Fred Beans. She said she especially appreciates having a female executive in Beth Beans Gilbert, noting the attention Beth gives employees to offer personalized support and recognition of a job well done. Christy also said her own willingness and ability to “grow and learn” have helped her progress with the Beans organization.

This Women’s History Month, Christy takes great pride in being among the Women of Beans, contributing significant talents and perspectives to make it Better at Beans.

• Title: Customer Care Sales Director
• Years of Service: 21
• What Makes it Better at Beans: Family
• What is Fred Beans’ Secret to Success: “Consistency and procedures!”

Women’s History Month is about celebrating female trailblazers, and Virginia Krause fits that description. Virginia got her start in automotive right out of college, excelling in sales with a signature blend of warmth and honesty that resonated with customers. She said other than her eventual employer and friend, Beth Beans Gilbert, she was the only female working regionally in automotive at that time. After taking a brief pause following the birth of her fourth child, she joined Fred Beans, taking on increased responsibilities over 21 years that led her to become the customer care sales director.

Virginia is certainly among the Women of Beans making it Better at Beans. Working so closely with another female force in automotive gives her extra motivation to succeed. Virginia said of her partnership with Beth, “I am most proud of the respect and loyalty we show one another. I am proud to say I work with the best!”

• Title: Customer Care Representative
• Years of Service: 21
• What Makes it Better at Beans: Coworkers
• What is Fred Beans' Secret to Success: “The people who work for the organization are the secret to its success. I have worked for a few other dealers and the people make a big difference.”

Shelly James is among the Women of Beans, making it Better at Beans as a customer service representative at Fred Beans Carstar. She says it’s the people at Beans who drive the automotive group’s success, and she is included in that exceptional group.

Over 16 years with Fred Beans, she has committed to learning as much as possible to further her career. Both customers and colleagues take notice. Shelly is an invaluable member of the Beans Family and worthy of a shoutout this Women’s History Month for the example she sets for others - especially women - in automotive.

• Title: Executive Assistant to Fred Beans and Building Design Project Manager
• Years of Service: 28
• What Makes it Better at Beans: The people
• What is Fred Beans' Secret to Success: “The Beans culture is the secret to success… We treat employees like family. We treat customers like family… It's been exciting to see the organization grow and flourish over the years. There are a lot of employees with longevity which is a true testament of treating your employees like family.”

Our Women’s History Month campaign profiling the Women of Beans would not be complete without recognizing Nancy Stracione’s place in Beans’ history. Nancy enjoys reflecting on the growth and evolution of Fred Beans Automotive and takes special pride in overseeing facility remodel projects, ensuring spaces are comfortable for both customers and team members. Two projects - the VW Doylestown and Hyundai Flemington dealerships - even won construction awards.

As both executive assistant to Fred and building design project manager, Nancy has worn many hats during her 30-year career with Beans. In addition to assisting Fred, she has had a hand in launching many initiatives that are now standard practice in the company’s operation, including the company website and the process for tending to Internet sales leads.

• Title: Administrative Assistaant
• Years of Service: 24
• What Makes it Better at Beans: Hard working team that cares
• What is Fred Beans' Secret to Success: “The team is passionate and has the drive to be better and grow. Always working towards making it better at Beans”

Krista Kent originally joined Fred Beans Automotive 24 years ago as a lot attendant at the former Fred Beans Saturn of Doylestown dealership. She transitioned to the parts warehouse in data entry and ordering and then assumed the role of outside sales coordinator. She is currently an administrative assistant, helping with the day-to-day operations of the Parts Distribution Center (PDC).

Krista said she takes great pride in being one of the longest-serving Women of Beans, gaining knowledge and experiences over the years that have helped her grow with and support the company. She also appreciates the opportunity to develop as a professional while prioritizing her family… feeling proud that she can give both roles her best.

• Title: Small Zone, Shipping, and Will Call Supervisor
• Years of Service: 15
• What Makes it Better at Beans: Beans does more for employees and the community
• What is Fred Beans' Secret to Success: “Loving what you do. Getting up every morning and looking forward to going to work.”

Kitty Holthenrichs joined Fred Beans Automotive as supervisor of Small Zone. Over her 15-year career with Beans, she assumed new responsibilities to also become the Will Call and Shipping supervisor. Today, she takes pride in helping younger employees who are often new to the workforce grow into their roles and also develop into true professionals. She offers both direction and understanding to provide an environment truly conducive to learning.

Kitty says she follows the lead of so many team members, noting, “the pride and devotion within this company is amazing.” Kitty is an integral member of the devoted Beans team and a leader among the Women of Beans.

• Title: Inventory Control and PDC worker
• Years of Service: 22
• What Makes it Better at Beans: I appreciate that this organization has helped me get thru several circumstances in my life that were difficult, both financially and emotionally.
• What is Fred Beans' Secret to Success: “Keeping on a positive course, trying new things and work with each other as a team. One person can not make this Automotive Group move forward.”

Audrey Carper has spent 22 years at Fred Beans, beginning as a picker and stocker in the small zone area of the parts warehouse before quickly moving to the will call counter to service Beans’ stores and dealer pick-ups. She opted to change positions again after 12 years, moving to her current position as inventory control and an invaluable member of the Parts Distribution Center (PDC) team.

Audrey says various managers supported her throughout each career change, giving her the opportunities to learn new aspects of the warehouse procedures and take on different tasks. She tries to pay that support forward by training employees herself. She prides herself on being thorough and patient and understanding the value of a team. She says, “one person cannot make this Automotive Group move forward.” That is certainly the case, but Audrey has helped move Fred Beans Automotive toward success over the past 22 years as its parts operation has thrived. She is celebrated this Women’s History Month among our Women of Beans.