Pub. 9 2020-2021 Issue 2

12 San Diego Dealer developed from your interpersonal relationships, from staff to customers. At the end of the day, without people, you won’t have a business. Katrina and what we learned— that set me up for COVID-19. First, take care of people. Appreciate them— let them know you appreciate them. And then, after Katrina, we had the opportunity to broaden our business to California in 2008. Those were tough years in the auto industry; 2008, 2009, and 2010. I remember going to dealer meetings and hearing over and over that the sky was falling. I remember thinking, you have a market, people are working, you have inventory. My perspective is different, and I think it will always be. I got my skillset from Katrina, and it’s served me well, first in 2008 – 2010 and again as COVID-19 spread and things shut down. What do you foresee as industry challenges in the next five years? There will be disruptors to the industry; there have been and will continue to be. I think the biggest will be the assault on the franchise business model. I think we will have to be diligent in our support of NCDA to make sure that the franchise laws hold. That’s one of the biggest reasons to become a member of NCDA. They are the ones on the front line, fighting the good fight for all of us. Our voice is much stronger when we come together, as a member of NCDA. Continued from page 11 Describe your all-time favorite vehicle (it can be one you’ve owned or something on your wish list). What are you driving now? One of my favorites — it took me seven years to locate it — is my 1971 Toyota Landcruiser, with the original engine. It’s fun to drive on weekends. I would love to get the new Corvette, Chevrolet’s latest generation of Corvette. But the demand is so strong that I just can’t! Tell us about your family. My wife, Lourdes, and I have three children, Michael, who is 26; he graduated fromASU and returned to Poway to work at the dealership — learning the car business and is doing really well. There’s a lot of car talk around the dinner table! We also have two daughters—Alexis who graduated from SDSU, worked with us at the Poway dealership, and nowworks for an international tech company. Allyssa, our youngest, is working part-time at the dealership while in college. She is starting at the University of San Diego this fall. Lourdes and I are really blessed; our kids are really great, all healthy, and we are a very close family. What is your favorite way to spend your free time? Any unusual hobbies? Nothing unusual. I like to golf, golf and golf. It’s a big part of my development in the car business. Contacts and relationships. It’s a wonderful game. Teaches life lessons, and it’s a great way to decompress. I also love to spend time with my family. WE HELP DEALERSHIPS NAVIGATE COMPLIANCE With over 33 years in the automotive EHS business, we understand compliance in California. Fromproactivemanagement to oil rebates, we can help you stay ahead of ever changing regulations and keep your employees and customers safe. Contact Us sam@cellyservices.com (562) 716-6100 • Compliance with EPA/OSHA regulations • Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasures Plan • Newsletters on Emerging EPA/OSHA Issues • Phase 1 Environmental Assessment • Permitting with EPA, BAR, AQMD • Hazardous WasteManagement • Hazmat Release Response • Respiratory Protection Program • Representation in OSHA/EPA Enforcement • DOT Hazmat Shipping Certification OUR SERVICES Celly Services, Inc 444West Ocean Blvd Ste. 1020 Long Beach, CA 90802