GNYADA May 2018 Newsletter

14 Remembering Cindy Shenker

remove liens from trade-ins, and laws expanding dealerships’ ability to offer new service and warranty products to consumers. She was also a key player in helping defeat bills that would hurt dealerships’ ability to function. Cindy was active in numerous civic and religious organizations. She was a fervent supporter of equality for women in politics and government. She is survived by her husband Jim Campbell, her daughters Alex (Kasey King) and Maddy, her sister, and her parents. GNYADA mourns the loss of Cindy. She will be missed by all who knew her. Messages of condolence may be sent to the Association and they will be forwarded to the family. Contri- butions in Cindy’s memory may be made to Eleanor’s Legacy or the Shenker/Campbell Clergy Develop- ment Endowment Fund, Congregation Beth Emeth, Albany, NY. The Association’s lobbying efforts will continue with Shenker Russo and Clark.

Albany Government Relations prac- tice. In 2015, Cindy began a new chapter when she founded the firm Shenker Russo & Clark LLP, where she continued to lobby on behalf of the Association. As GNYADA’s lobbyist, Cindy worked tirelessly to ensure legislators knew and understood the critical role of dealerships in the State. During the Association’s lobbying trips, she was sure to introduce GNYADA members, to anyone she encountered in the halls of the State Capital – and she knew every legislator and their staff! Not only was Cindy included in the City and State Albany Power 100 in 2015, 2016, and 2017, but Shenker Russo & Clark was designated as one of Albany’s Best Places to Work by the Albany Business Review . Cindy’s achievements as GNYADA’s lobbyist include ensuring the passage of the 2009 and 2014 Franchise Law amendments, a 2009 Doc Fee increase, several laws increasing the regulation of automobile brokers and leasing companies, the Lien Law amendment that makes it easier to have delivered more than 3,300 rebate eligible ZEVs. The program is still going strong, with nearly $47 million left in the rebate fund. If your dealership sells qualifying ZEVs (click here to see the full list or go to https://.nyserda.ny.gov/All- Programs/Programs/Drive-Clean- Rebate/How-it-Works ) but has not yet enrolled in the rebate program, you can learn more by visiting https://nyserda. ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Drive- Clean-Rebate/Dealers or by calling the Association at 718.746.5900.

Cynthia “Cindy” Shenker, GNYADA’s Albany lobbyist for near- ly two decades, passed away peace- fully at home on March 26, 2018, fol- lowing a brief illness. Cindy was a “one in a million” woman who was a role model to, and influenced the lives of, her family, friends, and col- leagues. Those of us who knew her recognized her as a deserving recipi- ent of the Woman of Distinction award that she received. Cindy completed her law school edu- cation in the evening while working full time in the Assembly. After 20 years as counsel to three Assembly Majority Leaders, she joined Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker, as a founding member of the firm’s New York State’s “Drive Clean” electric vehicle rebate program, allocating $55 million to be paid out in rebates to customers purchasing or leasing a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) launched a year ago! GNYADA worked with the Governor’s Office and the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to launch this successful incentive program. Hundreds of franchised dealers in greater New York are presently participating in the rebate program and

15 ZEV Rebate Program Turns One

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

The Newsletter • May 2018

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