Pub 2 2021-2022 Issue 1

continued on page 10 I think when you work for a family business, it’s especially important that your own values align with the family values. Describe your educational background. What did you study? I earned a BBA in Finance from the University of Miami and an MBA from the University of Central Florida. I also attended the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Academy. Are there any specific individuals who had a major impact on your career? My father, Edward McNamara. He reached a high-level position at GMAC — without a college degree — by working hard. He taught me to treat everyone equally and to treat them with respect. He used to tell me that the people you meet on the way up, you may meet on the way down, so you should treat everyone the way you would want to be treated. What is the most rewarding part of your career? For me, it’s that I have been able to leave a banking career and transition to help run a great company in a much different business. It’s certainly a different path — one that I didn’t see coming. But it’s rewarding that I can use my skill set with something I find interesting and am passionate about. What do you think will be some of the auto industry’s dominant trends in the next five years? We all see the EV trend coming and the entrance of more disrupters to the franchise system. I think we’re going to see manufacturers embracing exploring selling direct to customers. Ultimately, the question will be: to whom does the customer belong, the dealer or the OEM? Also will OEM’s try to deal directly with customers for service as well? For example, using over-the-air updates for vehicles. I believe we will have to work to protect the dealer franchise system. The battle will be for the control of the customer and who controls the relationship. Why is it important to be a CFADA member? What makes it beneficial? CFADA gives us a common voice. It’s imperative with an industry that is constantly evolving and changing. We need to have representation locally, statewide and nationally. It’s easy for dealers to be caught up in our own bubble focusing on our day-to-day operations. CFADA is a great resource. For instance, this past year, when the conversation turned to which businesses should stay open or be closed due to the pandemic, our industry was deemed essential in Florida. Fortunately, we never had to shut down, and that came down to having our message heard in Tallahassee and locally. Evelyn worked tirelessly for us to keep our dealerships open. Advocacy is so important because our business and the franchise system are being attacked in many ways. Are you involved in any civic or charitable organizations? I am the Treasurer for the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, which was formerly the SPCA. They adopt out over 6,000 dogs and cats a year. The Pet Alliance’s focus is rehoming surrendered pets. The biggest reason many pets are surrendered is landlord issues. Pet Alliance has many programs trying to help people keep their pets: from partnering with Meal on Wheels to have pet food delivered to the elderly and hosting low-cost veterinary clinics. Pet Alliance just started on a $14 million campaign to build a new facility. I’m on the board of directors for the West Orange Chamber of Commerce and their Executive Committee. The Chamber has over 1100 members, and we work hard to do business with fellow members and support the local business community. I am also Chair-Elect of the Florida Automobile Dealers Association, and I would hope all the members of the CFADA are also members. FADA has taught me so much about the legislative system in Florida, and we work hard to protect the franchise laws in place and try and pass legislation to improve them. We work hard to engage our dealership employees. We’ve hosted the Reed Nissan Adopt-A-Thon for cats and dogs with Pet Alliance for the past seven years. We It’s easy for dealers to be caught up in our own bubble focusing on our day- to-day operations. CFADA is a great resource. Pub Yr 2 | Issue 1 9 CFADA.ORG