Angie Carothers, a talented engine builder at General Motors’ Performance Build Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky, has established herself as a top performer in her field. She is passing on her expertise and passion to her daughters, Latrice and Charisse, who also work alongside her as engine builders at the same center.
Angie’s journey into General Motors was inspired by her hard-working father, even though it wasn’t his original dream for her. She found her calling in engine building and excelled in it.
“I was the first female in the PBC to get the first perfect ten engines in a row. In 2020 and 2021, I’ve built the most engines in the whole shop. All the women, all the men, out of everybody. Even the best builder,” Angie disclosed to ABC News.
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Following in her footsteps, Charisse, Angie’s daughter, joined the team as a team leader in the Performance Build Center, and completing the team of three is Latrice, who works as an assembler.
Despite the fact that women comprise less than 15% of the workforce in their field, Latrice shared that she was motivated to pursue a career in engine building after witnessing her mother’s leadership and the standard she set. Her sister’s move to join the industry also contributed to her decision.
“We actually work with several men. And to be able to do the same thing that they do and do it better, it makes me feel good,” Latrice added.
As a family, they work on making engines for cars like Corvettes, Camaros, and Cadillacs. Each of them has their name on a small plate attached to the engine they work on.
“For somebody to actually get a Charisse Walters engine, they reach out to me like, ‘Oh, is it true you’re really a female? Did you really build it?'” Charisse remarked.
They also take their lunch breaks together, which helps them become even closer since they spend a lot of time with each other.
“Being able to work together every day—we were already bonded—but it helps us hold that bond,” Charisse expressed.
