Carol Kimmel Schary, president of Nathan Kimmel Company, LLC, in Los Angeles, was awarded AWCI’s Distinguished Service Award on Oct. 13 during AWCI’s Industry Leaders Conference in New York City. The award is given for exemplary volunteer service to the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry. AWCI members and chapter staff who volunteer their time and resources in support of the Association play a vital role in the success of AWCI’s programs, services and events.
Schary has been a part of AWCI since 1996 and has never missed a convention. She is a past president of the Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry, and she helped create the AWCI CARES program. She has served on the AWCI board of directors and on AWCI’s Supplier & Manufacturer Members Committee and AWCI’s Convention Committee. Her company has been an exhibitor at AWCI’s trade shows for 26 years.
Starting her career as a woman in the construction industry, Schary was often the only woman in attendance at many industry meetings. One of Carol’s mentors was Anne Daly, who also was part of a woman-owned construction company. (AWCI recognized Daly her industry leadership with the Unsung Hero Award in 1994 and the AWCI Pinnacle Award in 2000, the first Canadian and the first woman to receive this award.) Daly shared her experiences to help Schary achieve a path to success. Schary has used that information to rise to the top not only in the construction industry but also to mentor other women in the business world.
