First Friday Luncheon - Business Spotlight on Y Yard

Description

Please Join Us for the Business Spotlight on the Y Yard!

Kelly Roepke was born and raised in Effingham, Illinois.  Growing up in a family with three other sisters and no brothers, her free time was balanced between dance classes and dirt bikes.  Since her parents owned the Y-Yard Auto & Truck Parts, a lot of family time was spent working to promote the business.  Many weekends and evenings were spent touring the countryside as a family to submit salvage bids to purchase vehicles.   
 
Kelly attended Illinois State University, where she graduated with a bachelor?s degree in Elementary Education.  During her college years, Kelly worked her school breaks and summers for the Y-Yard.  From mowing grass, painting fences, dismantling vehicles, hauling cars, delivering parts or assisting with office work, she learned many facets of the business.   After graduation, she returned home to accept a position as a first-grade teacher with Effingham Unit 40.  Three years later, Kelly decided to take a year?s leave of absence to assist with the family business while her father underwent extensive back surgery.  One year later, she announced her resignation from teaching and thus began her full-time journey into the automotive recycling business. 
 
Kelly has always enjoyed being involved with local organizations and committees that benefit the local community.  Currently she serves on the Curriculum Committee for the Effingham Regional Career Academy and the Board of Directors for Crossroads Bank in Effingham.  She has also served on numerous boards within the automotive recycling industry.  In 2008 she was recognized by fellow auto recyclers as the ?Most Influential Successor? and in 2010 as the ?Most Influential Woman?.  Today, Kelly carries a pretty full plate while trying to balance the demands of raising two children and working fulltime as the President of the Y-Yard.  Together with her husband Kevin, they enjoy spending every free moment with their 17-year-old daughter, Karlee, and their 14-year-old son, Connor.