GNYADA August 2016 Newsletter

GNYADA Annual Meeting A Banner Year in the Books, More Work Ahead

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The Association’s 106th Annual Meeting, on June 20, saw the proud inauguration of Officers and Directors for the 2016-2017 term, as well as a review of GNYADA’s accomplishments over the last year. Addressing the roomful of 200 dealers and Allied Members gathered at Old Westbury Golf and Country Club, President Mark Schienberg highlighted Association achievements such as the ten-year anniversary of the Center for Automotive Education and Training, the milestones reached by DMV-DIRECT (20 years of operation / 3 million transactions), and record breaking weekends at the 2016 Auto Show. Said Schienberg, “As we marked these many milestones, it’s important to remember that GNYADA’s guiding principles have remained the same — to strengthen franchised dealers’ rights, and help them run their businesses without excessive outside interference.” He went on to note that during 2015-2016, GNYADA assisted in securing a remarkable 45 dealer licenses for its members. In his final Chairman’s Report, outgoing Chairman Bob Vail echoed these sentiments about the importance of GNYADA’s role. He specifically mentioned November’s hard-fought passage of H.R. 1737 (The Reforming CFPB Indirect Auto Financing Guidance Act), which resulted from a huge lobbying effort by dealers. In his first address as GNYADA Chairman, Nick Toomey looked at the road ahead for dealers, listing coming-year objectives such as reigning in deceptive auto-brokers, weathering the scrutiny of regulators, and combatting the mounting trend of

factory-direct retail operations. “Our industry faces many challenges,” said Toomey, in reference to these key dealer issues. “We will concentrate our experienced lobbying resources on these legislative efforts. And we will keep our voice loud and clear.” The focus on legislative involvement was timely, as the Annual Meeting also featured a highly informative panel discussion about the positive result in the Beck Chevrolet vs. General Motors case. Panelists were Doug Clark, founding partner of Shenker Russo & Clark, and Russ McRory, partner and member of Arent Fox’s automotive practice and also the attorney who represented Beck Chevrolet. Moderated by Mr.

Schienberg, the panel reviewed why the May verdict was a huge victory for all New York dealers, who now have strong arguments against manufacturers’ use of uniform sales standards. To close the meeting, Mr. Toomey thanked Mr. Vail for his tireless work on behalf of dealers across New York. He and Mr. Schienberg presented Vail with a plaque and ceremonial gavel in recognition of his service, as well as a NADAAmbassador Grant. With a powerful voice in Albany and beyond, a new Chairman in place, a slate of new officers installed, and a fresh generation of young dealers participating, GNYADA looks forward to an active and bright 2016-2017.

NEW OFFICERS SWORN IN During the morning meeting, the following individuals were confirmed as Officers of the Association: Chairman: Nick Toomey Rallye BMW Vice Chair: Gary Brown Brown’s Jeep Chrysler Dodge Vice Chair: Lee Certilman Nardy Honda Vice Chair: Jane Millman Riverhead Dodge Treasurer: Larry Orlando Tower Ford Secretary: Melanie Spare-Oswalt Sayville Ford Immediate Past Chairman: Bob Vail Vail Buick GMC

Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association • www.gnyada.com

The Newsletter • August 2016 3