From the 30 minutes I was lucky enough to visit with 24-year-old Miss Terra Malson, I could tell she loved our industry. Since 2017, Terra has been the sole transmission builder at RAMM Transmission in Raymore, Missouri. She is extremely polite and very soft-spoken, but her passion for what she does comes through loud and clear.
As a young girl, Terra followed her dad to the garage, where she enjoyed stacking bolts and playing with random parts that were lying around. But one of her favorite things was her dune buggy.
In 2012, as a freshman in high school, she asked her dad to let her help him in the build room. He started her off by letting her tear down and wash up a 4L60E. She had no previous auto experience or training, not even changing the oil on her own car. With what takes many in the industry years to master, she’s become quite proficient in less than 10 years. She does admit that she still has a lot to learn about diagnostics and troubleshooting, but her dad is teaching her more and more with each test drive and diagnosis they do together.
The thing she loves most about becoming a rebuilder is that it’s generational. Terra’s grandfather started the business and taught her dad. In 2011, her dad took over and is now teaching her. Terra has a brother, but she’s the one with the desire to learn the family trade.
Her dad gave her one of her favorite tools, an old snap-on drawer slide for toolboxes that he uses to install lip seals. She thought at one point she’d lost her treasured heirloom and ordered replacements but luckily found it shortly after.
When I asked Terra what her favorite things are when it comes to being a builder, she said, “It’s relaxing.” She admits that in the beginning, she probably drove her dad crazy asking questions, and the job was more challenging, but now she can’t imagine doing anything else. Whether she takes over the family shop or moves out of state to work somewhere else, transmission building is all she can imagine doing.
Her favorite transmissions are the 6T75 and 6L80s. She says they got their first 6L80 somewhere around 2014. Her dad had never done one, so they figured it out together. She mentioned that her father still isn’t fond of them, as he prefers the older models, but she would build them all day.
When people find out she’s a transmission builder, they often respond with, “Show me your hands for proof.” She laughs, stating she has no “proof” because she wears gloves to protect her long nails. Overall, she says people find it fascinating and very encouraging. Terra added, “My mom and I have had women tell us that they feel more comfortable bringing their cars in because a woman is working on their vehicle.” Terra enjoys bringing their female customers over to let them watch what she does, and she really enjoys sharing that with them.
Even though transmission building is a male-dominated profession, if you ever get a chance to visit with Terra, you will see as I do, she certainly has what it takes for a very long and bright future in this field. This young lady has a lot to offer, and our industry is lucky to have her.
