Digital Dealer - November 2019 - 22

C O V E R S TORY: Continued from pg. 21

president Mark Schienberg. He's been
working closely with Governor Cuomo and
the state legislature to solve this problem.
As a result, the governor announced the
creation of a new task force to help develop
training programs for auto technicians.
The goal is to train New Yorkers for jobs in
auto retail, including high-paying service
technician jobs. That's one way we're doing
it.
GNYADA already has the Center for
Automotive Education & Training, a
state-of-the-art facility that costs nearly
$30 million, to help train our workforce.
In addition to fully qualified service
technicians, the industry can always use
more sales personnel and managers.
We're also working closely with other
vocational settings and
colleges to add retail
automotive to their
curriculum. Education
is something the
association has been
working on for years.

AND I BELIEVE
THE POTENTIAL OF
SUCH DIVERSITY
IS WHAT MAKES
RETAIL AUTOMOTIVE
A STRONG CAREER
OPTION. "

DEALER
MAGAZINE:

A key responsibility
of GNYADA is helping
to ensure dealers are
protected. What are the top legislative
priorities for the organization?
JANE: Strong franchise bills, of course.
We'll be working with state legislators to
help them understand the many benefits
our industry brings to the local economy.
Our association represents more than
400 dealers in downstate New York. The
legislative session starts in January, so we
will be working to identify more specific
ways to strengthen our industry on behalf
of consumers.
DEALER MAGAZINE: Women are
making great strides in retail automotive
leadership positions. Why do you think this
is happening now?
JANE: That's true. The industry has
changed over the last decade where we've
seen more women coming into the auto
business. With more retail brick and
mortar stores closing, it makes it easier
for us to pitch auto retail to those workers

22

NOVEMBER 2019

D I G I TA L D E A L E R . C O M

as a career choice. More women work in
the retail market than ever before. Think
of a department store, where women are
asked to work long hours, on weekends,
and even over holidays. The auto industry
becomes an opportunity they hadn't
considered before. We provide longevity
and sustainability and careers with much
higher pay. Women are making more
money working in a dealership than they
made at a typical retail store. It's a clean,
safe environment with great income and job
growth potential.
I believe men and women bring different
perspectives to the workplace, as do
different nationalities and backgrounds.
And I believe the potential of such diversity
is what makes retail automotive a strong
career option.
DEALER MAGAZINE: You are joined
in your leadership role by two other
businesswomen, marking the first time that
women business owners have held three
of the top leadership posts at GNYADA.
How significant is this for the future of the
industry?
JANE: Very significant. It shows how
any people of any background or gender
has the ability to hold any position they
so desire and achieve their goals. It opens
doors. I hope more women will see and take
advantage of the opportunities our industry
offers.
DEALER MAGAZINE: From the
future, I'd like to now go back to the past.
Riverhead Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is a
family operation, and you are currently the
Secretary-Treasurer. Please fill us in on
your background.
JANE: I've worked at the family store
since I was 11, at first detailing cars and
so on. I sold cars when I came home from
college during the summer. But I didn't
consider a career in the family business at
the time.
After graduating from college
with a business degree, I found a
telecommunications sales job in New York
City, took it and worked my way up to sales
manager. I liked what I was doing, but the
hours were long. I was working something
like 60 hours a week.
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