GNYADA November 2015 Newsletter

Fresh Perspective at the Washington Conference

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The GNYADA dealers that attended this year's NADAWashington Conference included a new face: Allison Musante, General Manager of Smithtown Acura, and a prominent member of GNYADA’s NextGen committee. Ms. Musante recently recounted her time in Washington with the Association, where she interacted with Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, and Representatives Crowley, Israel, Rice and Meng. She delved into her experiences and takeaways from those conversations, and also touched on the importance she now sees in NextGen involvement.

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Being at the conference helped me further understand what NextGen is all about. Our group of dealers made contributions in different areas, where lawmakers need us to be involved. Many of them want the background information of what they’re voting on and what the real concern is. They can have great intentions when they make laws and regulations, but if someone doesn’t educate them about our business, we can only fault ourselves if their vote has negative impact on our stores. An issue we spotlighted was the Dealer-Assisted Financing bill (H.R. 1737 — I’ll never forget that num- ber as long as I live). The bill focus- es on requiring transparency and accountability from the CFPB. The other key issues regarded vehicle

recalls and advertising deductibility.

the point in our business where women are sought after for their perspective. If her schedule allows, I anticipate she’ll attend. I realized that for these legislators, I’m not only the face of the con- sumer, I’m also the face of their voters — I have an impact on both. NextGen’ers and millennials in gen- eral don’t do things the way that our parents and grandparents did, and I’m in touch with that. Our elected officials are generally getting younger, too; they can relate to me as well as I can relate to them. I feel very positively about my time in Washington. I definitely want to get more involved — I see the need for it, and I see where we can really make a difference.

I was glad to be there supporting the entire auto industry, but I also advised some of the local legislators about what matters to me. For example, Steve Israel represents my congressional district; I mentioned to him that we’re going to be doing a facility upgrade and I invited him to the grand opening — he was very receptive to that. I wouldn’t have had that opportunity otherwise. I was also able to connect with Kathleen Rice, who quite appreciat- ed that I’m a young woman in the business. I actually invited her to attend a panel discussion I’ll be par- ticipating in on March 24th, at the New York Auto Show, about women in the auto industry. It’s getting to

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GNYADA’s NextGen Committee The Association formed this committee of young managers and dealership successors two years ago to encourage the perspective of tomorrow’s dealer principals, and we’re always on the lookout for new mem- bers. Participants in this committee have the opportunity to create group agendas, represent the business in lobbying trips to Albany and Washington, and have formative conversations about our industry’s future.

To recommend someone at your dealership for NextGen, or for any questions about committee involvement, please contact jennifer@gnyada.com .

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

The Newsletter • November 2015 7