Industry Continues its Support of Linda Holcomb by Melanie Anderson
As Linda Holcomb, President of the Glendale/Foothill/Pasadena California Autobody Association chapter, fights her battle with breast cancer, industry members continue to rally behind one of the first female pioneers in the business. Holcomb recently underwent a minor surgery, followed by her third round of chemotherapy treatment. In addition, her treatment will include surgery, radiation and breast re-construction, followed by a year of herception therapy and five years of hormone treatment. “You have your ups and downs,” said Holcomb. “That’s part of this program.” She said the support and well wishes she’s getting from the industry really means so much to her. “This is truly what keeps me in very high spirits and what will get me through this.” Holcomb has about 10 more months of treatment. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am for all of the cards and checks industry people are sending me. We are up to close to $19,000,” Linda said. “This has allowed me to pay for a lot of medical bills, and has taken away so much anxiety. After my third chemo treatment, my tumors have shrunk by 50%. That is pretty good progress. But I’m far from finished. I am about a third of the way through this treatment.” Holcomb, of J.R. Sandoval Enterprises in Monrovia, CA, began working in the auto equipment sales industry in 1968, right out of high school. In 1970, Wilson Sales Co. assigned Linda to a “Paint Your Car in 24 Hours” concept body shop, in Caracas, Venezuela, where she also became the first woman Chamber of Commerce member. In 1973, Linda returned to Long Beach, CA, and started J.R. Sandoval Enterprises, which distributes body shop equipment and manufactured paint spray booths. In 1975, Linda met Maureen Holmes of Holmes Body Shop in Pasadena, CA. At the time, not many women were intensely involved or truly engaged in the auto body business. This mutual passion provided the communality for friendship along with another female body shop coowner, Linda Murphy from Glendale, CA. In those days, the three women were the only women at industry association meetings.
“I have known Linda Holcomb to be extremely active in the collision industry for over 30 years. She has continuously been an advocate for collision repairers at Linda resting at home with her dog after chemo treatment many different levels of involvement. Through local association chapters, state associations and national associations, Linda has participated as a committee member, advisor, and active volunteer to address the issues important to those who toil within the shops. She has supported us and in turn it is now our opportunity to
In 2011, Linda Holcomb was voted ‘Best Chapter President’ in the California Autobody Association. She has participated in the CAA, CIC, SCRS, Write It Right Committee, Best Practices Committee, Environmental Committee and more. She has spent enormous amounts of time with the SCAQMD, South Coast Air Quality Management District, on behalf of the interests of shop owners in southern California and elsewhere. Ben Mendoza, Orange County chapter president of the CAA, recently praised Linda for all the time she spent going to the SCAQMD board meetings and how valuable that has been. He said how unusual it was that they actually listened to the industry due in no small part to the efforts of Linda Holcomb. He also said Linda was at least partially responsible for getting the delay on implementation of AQMD Rule 1147. After her husband’s death, Holcomb raised her son alone and he recently moved to start a new job in Brooklyn, NY. Linda has always prided herself on being independent and self sufficient. Now, stricken with cancer, without family to help, and the necessity of taking time out of work for doctors and hospitals and treatments, she finds herself in a position of needing financial assistance, Holmes said. To donate to Linda’s health care fund, please contact Lillian Maimone at lillianm@marcoscollisioncenters.com or mail a check made out to Linda Holcomb at 317 Linwood Avenue, Unit B,
58 MAY 2013 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
support her.”—Jeff Hendler, CIC and JD Hendler/Associates
“Linda has been very generous with her time, talent, and energies in supporting the collision repair industry in southern California. Quick support from good friends like Maureen Holmes, Lillian Maimone, and Linda Murphy, provides good example to the rest of us to do what we can to help Linda during this difficult time.”—Joe Hayes, GMG EnviroSafe “Having the pleasure of knowing Linda Holcomb for over 20 years, I can say that she has done more things behind the scenes for the betterment of our industry than most of us will ever know. I do not remember ever seeing her without her big smile. She is always there when you need her. I am honored to know Linda and to be able to call her my friend.”—Farzam Afshar, CEO of VeriFacts Automotive
Monrovia, CA 91016. “I’m so honored and grateful for all of the industry support,” Holcomb said. “It makes me feel so proud that so many people care about me and my path to recovery. Thanks to everyone for their help.”
For more information about Linda’s background and biography see our August, 2008 story “Linda Holcomb Plays Hand She Is Dealt, Hits a Grand Slam in Life” at www.autobodynews.com. Search ‘Linda Holcomb’for the story and to read about her other contributions.