CHRYSLER MINORITY DEALERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
 
Newsletter

April 2013

www.ChryslerMinorityDealers.org
 
*CMDA acknowledges the tragic  terror attack yesterday, Monday, April 15, 2013 in Boston, MA during the Boston Marathon. CMDA prays for the healing and safety of all those injured and extends condolences to the families of those who were killed. *  

Newsletter
President's Message 
Success Through Unity 
 
  Ralph Martinez
                                                                                   
Dear CMDA Members, sponsors and friends,

  

Thank you to all members who were able to attend the 2013 CMDA Annual Business Meeting / NADA in Orlando. We got a lot accomplished, sponsored great seminars, firmed up our member relationships, built new and good relationships in our one on one individual dealer interactions with Chrysler Executives during our Welcome Reception, hosted a very informative Chrysler Executive panel and received thought provoking insight into the changing American demographics from our Banquet Keynote Speaker, Television Journalist Ray Suarez from PBS.   

 
 

This year we will build upon the strengths and history of the CMDA. We have a respected history of serving as business and entrepreneurial trailblazers in the American automotive industry, minority business community and development of the Chrysler dealer network. We will continue to improve and update CMDA, increase our value to all members, sponsors, communities and the Chrysler Group. We also plan to continue bringing and presenting the best business talent and subject matter experts from across the industry to our meetings and webinars to expose our members to the best technology, marketing, and cutting edge practices to elevate the performance of the CMDA group.  

 

We plan to grow the pool of minority talent within the dealerships by offering programs and mentorship. We will continue our philanthropic efforts, reach out to the minority community and do our best to improve their quality of life. This is a win-win proposition. If we do right by the members of our community, it elevates their personal situation, including   their financial security. In turn, we are creating and growing our future consumers, which is good for the minority dealers in those communities and puts the Chrysler brand in their hearts and minds.    

 

All of these efforts will make the CMDA more visible;   create a brand as a progressive philanthropic group that elevates the minority community, attracts young talent to our industry, makes Chrysler products and their dealers the consumers' first choice; and impacts our communities to make them better. We look forward to seeing you at our CMDA Summer Business Meeting at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California June 21 - 23, 2013.  Please register using the link below. Please contact me or CMDA Executive Director Lisa Hogan (305) 913 -1328 if we can ever be of assistance. 

    Sincerely,  

  

Ralph Martinez

CMDA President

(503) 794-7502  

ralph@ztram.com 

MEMBER SERVICES

Annual Meeting Educational Seminars: 

Members who were not able to attend the 2013 CMDA Annual Meeting in Orlando and would like copies of the following educational seminar power point / slideshow presentations may  contact CMDA Headquarters: 

1. Buying Selling & Valuing Dealerships - Presented by Mark D. Johnson
2. Maximize Profits in Used Vehicle Operations  - Presented by Paul H. Webb
3. Operations & Tax Implications of ObamaCare for Businesses - Presented by Morrison Brown Argiz & Farrar LLC
4. Impact of Bush Era Tax Cuts Expiration for Business Owners - Presented by Morrison Brown Argiz & Farrar LLC

CMDA Reimbursements:

Among the benefits of CMDA membership is the  reimbursement of a portion of your  dealership expenses:

1. Consulting/training - up to $10,000
Please review the list of approved consultants on the vendors   page of the CMDA Website www.ChryslerMinorityDealers.org and submit the Training & Consulting Reimbursement form with copies of your invoices and proof of payment to CMDA headquarters.   If you would like to nominate a business to serve as an approved training / consultant please use the forms on the website.

2. In lieu of training reimbursement you may obtain Community nonprofit support reimbursement - up to $5000
 
3. Dealership advertising & marketing expenses - $2000

Please review the guidelines and requirements for all three programs on the Members Section of the CMDA website.   

Upcoming CMDA Webinars:

Sales Audits, Fraud Prevention, Incentives/Delivery Reporting, Sales Techniques

 

Save the Date: CMDA Webinar

Topic: Protecting Yourself before a Sales Audit: What you need to know and how to prepare

Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Time: 4 pm EST

Speaker:  Sherralyn Peterson, Automotive Incentive Specialist

Check your email for the CMDA Webinar Notice & Link

 

Community Spotlight -
CMDA Educational Scholarships   

 

CMDA Treasurer Gene Johnson (Rainier Dodge) oversees our financial matters, including our scholarship contributions to higher education institutions. Since 1987, the Chrysler Minority Dealers Association has provided in excess of $1.4 million in scholarship funds to more than 120 Northwood University minority students. These annual donations are made via our Jesse Jones Jr. Scholarship named after CMDA's founder; the Jack C. Hart Memorial Scholarship named in honor of a mentor and coach to several current and former CMDA dealers;  and the Joseph P. Shady Scholarship named in honor of a former Chrysler Executive who supported the development of Chrysler's minority dealer program.

 

In 1998, the CMDA also established a $1 million endowed scholarship at Dusquesne University to fund the E. Thomas Pappert/CMDA Endowed Fund. That fund has awarded $848,987.00 in scholarships to 34 minority students since its inception and has a current market value of $2.1 million and continues to provide funding to at least 6 students per year. The Fund is named in honor of E. Thomas Pappert, a former Chrysler Executive who was the architect of the Chrysler Minority Retail Dealer Development program and an outstanding humanitarian.   

   

CMDA has also awarded educational scholarships to aspiring minority youth through the YMCA Black Achievers, LINC Telacu Foundation, Viva El Mariachi Scholarship Fund and the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund.    

 
Chrysler National Dealer Council
Chrysler Capital / Santandar
Chrysler dealers, including CMDA members are very interested in the official launch of the new Chrysler Capital/ Santandar Consumer USA partnership in May. The CMDA Board has asked our National Dealer Council Representative to obtain information regarding Chrysler's possible assistance with the imposition or payment of termination fees and penalties that may be charged by current financial institutions in the event a dealership decides to move its loan and financing needs to the new institution. CMDA will convey any developments to our members.  

 

NDC Meeting and Sales Conference Call

CMDA Members who wish to review the summaries of the First Quarter 2013 National Dealer Council Meeting held March 6 - 8, 2013 and March 28, 2013 respectively,  please visit DealerConnect.     

 

Register Now for CMDA Summer Business Meeting
 
St. Regis Monarch Beach | Monarch Bay ClubSt. Regis Monarch Beach
2013 CMDA Summer
Business Meeting

*****
When: Friday, June 21 - Sunday, June 23, 2013
Where: St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point Southern California 
 
Please join us for the 2013 Summer Business Meeting of the Chrysler Minority Dealers Association at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort.  The St. Regis is a Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond awarded resort located along the shores of the Pacific Ocean in Dana Point, California and is an hour from LAX and San Diego airports.  The resort has a championship golf course, luxury spa, and beach activities. It is also  near  children friendly attractions  Disney, Seaworld, and Leggoland.

CMDA members will receive a   
$2000 meeting reimbursement.
 

Guaranteed room rates and availability  
deadline is May 28, 2013


Tentative Schedule   

 

 Friday, June 21, 2013

     Welcome Reception                        6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

 

 Saturday, June 22, 2013

Breakfast                                     8:00 am - 9:00 am

Business Meeting                        9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Lunch                                             12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Business Meeting                         1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Dinner Reception & Banquet  6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
 

 Sunday, June 23, 2013  

           CMDA Golf & Breakfast , Spa,  family time    

 



News & Announcements

 Additional CMDA Participation Categories

     During the private dealer session at the 2013 CMDA Annual meeting, the members present expressed a desire to increase participation and attendance at CMDA activities and engage in mentorship of future minority dealers. Therefore, the CMDA Board of Directors adopted the suggestions from the meeting and has approved the creation of two non member participation categories: a CMDA Future Dealers Alliance category and an Industry Guest category. These new categories have not required a change to the CMDA bylaws and will allow non CMDA members to participate in select CMDA activities. 

     a.  CMDA Future Dealers Alliance Category -This category is for  ethnic minorities who are currently employed as senior sales managers or general managers in Chrysler and Fiat dealerships. CFDA participants would pay a flat $500 annual participation fee, which basically covers CMDA's costs to include them in our activities. CFDA participants are not members of CMDA, do not have voting status and may not serve on the CMDA Board of Directors or receive any CFDA membership reimbursement benefits. They may attend open portions of CMDA Annual and Summer Meetings and select networking and training events.
 
     b. Industry Guest Category - This category is for anyone in the automotive industry, including Non CMDA Member dealers and dealership employees, who would like to attend CMDA activities. They will pay a flat fee to participate in select CMDA events and activities, which basically covers CMDA's costs to include them in our activities. They are not members of CMDA, do not have voting status and may not serve on the CMDA Board of Directors or receive any CMDA membership reimbursement benefits. 

     CMDA Member Dealers who would like to nominate their senior minority sales managers or general managers to participate in the Chrysler Future Dealers Alliance should instruct those employees to register and submit the participation fee via the CMDA website in May 2013. Following registration on the website, we will add them to our mailing list.        
 
CMDA logo
IN THIS ISSUE
CMDA History Project
Register Now! - CMDA Summer Meeting June 21 - 23, 2013 St. Regis Hotel, Dana Point, California

2013 - 2014 Officers, Board of Directors & Committee Chairs
 
CMDA Officers:

Ralph Martinez - President
Damian Mills - Second Vice President
Eugene Johnson - Treasurer
Alfred Flores - Secretary
Jerry Dillard - Past President

Board of Directors

Paul Antepara
Evelyn Chatel
Joseph Crisostomo
James Davis
Carl Galeana
Jay Gill
Monti Long

Lisa Hogan
Executive Director

Committee Chairpersons:

Private Cap/MID & Membership - Ralph Martinez   
Sponsorship/Fundraising - Damian Mills

Consulting & Training - James Davis 

Finance - Gene Johnson

Audit - Pablo Zegarra

Advertising - Carl Galeana

Education - Evelyn Chatel


   CMDA Business
Center Liaisons

Great Lakes
& Southeast -  Monti Long
mlong007@comcast.net

Southwest & Mid-West- Alfred Flores
aflores@springcjd.com

Denver
& West - Paul Antepara paulantepara@yahoo.com

California
- Joey Crisostomo joeyc@carsplusguam.com

Mid Atlantic & Northeast - Jay Gill jgill@lagmail.net 

CMDA Headquarters

Lisa  Hogan, Executive Director 
Chrysler Minority Dealers Association 
P.O. Box 310248
Miami, FL 33231 - 0248

Telephone: (305) 913 - 1328
                   (305) 377 - 3219

Facsimile:  (413) 385 - 9501
Email: info
@chryslerminoritydealers.org

Website: www.chryslerminoritydealers.org    

 


Welcome New CMDA Members!
 
LUM'S AUTO CENTER 
Lori Lum

PERFORMANCE CJD
Tyrone Williams

BUTLER FIAT OF INDIANAPOLIS
Melinda Butler

FAIRFIELD CJD
Rahim Hassanally

SUPERSTITION SPRINGS CJ
Al Heggs

DICK'S COUNTRY CJD
Shannon Inukai-Cuffee

TOWN & COUNTRY FIAT
Ralph Martinez

CLASSIC CJD
Damian Mills
 


   
Thank You
 2013 Annual Meeting
SPONSORS

Diamond Sponsor -  
*Ally Financial 

 

Gold Sponsor -  
*American Financial & Automotive Services 

 

Silver Sponsors -  
*ADP
* Global Hue

Bronze Sponsors - 
 
*Dealer Track
*Enterprise Rent a Car
 
 

 



CMDA
2013 Calendar

 

January

CMDA Board Meeting

North American Car Show

 

February

CMDA Annual Meeting

NADA Annual Conference

Black  History Month 

 

March

National Dealer Council Meeting

 

April

CMDA Board Meeting

CMDA Newsletter

 

May

CMDA Webinar  

Asian Pacific American Month 

 

June

National Dealer Council Meeting

CMDA Summer Business Meeting  

 

July

CMDA Board Meeting

NAMAD Annual Conference

 

August

CMDA Webinar 

 

September

National Dealer Council Meeting

Annual Congressional Black Caucus Reception

Annual Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Reception 

National Hispanic Heritage Month 

 

October

CMDA Board Meeting

Digital Dealer Conference

CMDA Webinar  

 

November

National American Indian Heritage Month 

 

December

National Dealer Council Meeting  

- 15th Deadline to turn in CMDA reimbursement requests 

 

Open Point Notices - Chrysler & FIAT
 

To obtain information on future Chrysler & FIAT points, please contact the Network Managers and Business Placement Managers on the attached Directory.
 
Open Point Notices - Other OEMs
 

CMDA pays the NAMAD dues for CMDA members. NAMAD periodically distributes open point notices from other manufacturers. Please contact CMDA Headquarters if you have not received email notices from NAMAD this year regarding these open points. 
 
Chrysler Group News
 

Vehicle Sales: The Chrysler Group reports that Minority Dealers March 2013 MTD retail sales were up 18% year over year. In comparison, the U.S. March MTD retail sales were up 10%.

Executive Changes: Effective April 15, 2013, Chrysler Group named Reid Bigland, head of U.S. sales and Dodge, to replace Fred Diaz as head of Ram. On April 12, 2013, Diaz, was named vice president for Nissan Division sales and marketing, effective May 1. Diaz had been with Chrysler for more than 24 years and had been head of the Ram pickup and commercial vehicle brand since it was split off from Dodge in 2009. Tim Kuniskis, who heads the Fiat brand in North America will move to Bigland's old position as head of Dodge. Jason Stoicevich, head of Chrysler's California business center, will keep his current position and become the North American brand head for Fiat.
 
 
Happy Retirement Tony Valdivia!
 

 
During the Luncheon at the Annual Meeting, CMDA Second Vice President Damian Mills (Classic CJD, Stateline CJD and Stateline Fiat) extended warm thanks on behalf of the association to Tony Valdivia, the long time representative of ADP and constant CMDA supporter who will be retiring this summer.   
 
CMDA History Project

With the passage of time, it is easy to lose track of how far we have come as minority businesses. Therefore, CMDA is beginning a History & Video Documentary Project designed to collect, maintain, educate and preserve the trailblazing history of our members. If you have any photographs, memorabilia, video, film or other items that you would like added to our permanent archives, please send them to CMDA headquarters.

History Question: We would like to identify the first Hispanic, Asian and Native American persons to have been awarded Chrysler dealerships pre 1990. Do you know the names of any of these dealers, year they were awarded a  franchise, location, data,  or have photographs or materials related to them? If so, please provide that information to  CMDA Headquarters. 


CMDA 2013 Annual Business Meeting Wrap Up

Many thanks to our members, sponsors and guests who were able to join us in Orlando, Florida from February 8 - 10, 2013 for the CMDA Annual Business Meeting. We were entertained by the jazz band Zazu during our Welcome Reception Friday evening at the the Wyndham Grand Resort penthouse and ended the evening watching fireworks from the balconey. Several Senior Chrysler Executives joined us including Rolf Assmuth - Vice President Demand Planning, Steve Beahm - Vice President Sales Operations, Reid Bigland - President & CEO Chrysler Canada & Dodge Brand, Pete Grady - Vice President Dealer Network & Fleet,  Tony Benders - Vice President Technical Service, Fred Diaz - President & CEO Chrysler Mexico & Ram Brand, Pat Dougherty - Vice President MOPAR Parts Sales & Field Ops and Tim Kuniskis - President & CEO, FIAT Brand and Joe Veltri - Vice President Product Planning. Guests and CMDA members were able to chat one on one in a relaxed social setting.  

 

The following day was filled with a full business agenda including the Executive Panel and private dealer roundtable. Our sponsors and speakers gave very informative presentations on a variety of topics including Ally Financial Update presented by Mark Manzo, Vice President Ally Financial; Multicultural / Diversity Advertising presented by Dennis Castillo, Global Hue SVP Group Account Director;  Used Cars Seminar presented by Paul H. Webb;  Operations & Tax Implications of ObamaCare and Bush Era Tax Cut expiration presented by CPAs Ed Blum, Ira Silver, Mark Fenaughty, and Manny Alvarez from Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra, LLC. 

 

 

 

 Ray Suarez
Keynote Speaker
Ray Suarez
Our dinner banquet keynote speaker Ray Suarez, the national television journalist from PBS enlightened us on the fascinating statistics and demographic changes in the United States and the increase in the minority population which he calls the "the browning of America".  He noted that "[CMDA stands] at the intersection of culture and commerce.  At the same time, you live the lives of minority people in America, every day, you're experts at your own lives, but you're also selling a quintessentially American product, to a pool of customers who see what you sell as utilitarian goods . . . the stuff, the tools of daily life, and, importantly, as aspirational goods, goods that say something about them, their self-image, their taste, what they've accomplished, who they are."  Mr. Suarez noted the following statistics:
 
 
  

Languages now spoken in American homes:

 

  • 34.5 million people speak Spanish at home
  • 2 million speak French and its various Creole and derivative tongues from Canada, Africa and the Caribbean
  • 2.5 million speak Chinese
  • 2 million speak Hindi, Gujarati and Bengali
  • 1.5 million speak Vietnamese
  • 1.5 million speak Tagalog
  • 1 million speak Korean
  • Almost 1 million speak Russian
  • 750,000 speak African languages

  In 2010, for the first time, more babies who trace their ancestry to Africa, Asia and Latin America were born in the US than babies whose ancestors came here from Europe. It is likely to be the case every year from now on.

     

Congratulations to CMDA Members

All of the Urban Wheel Award Dealer Winners this year are members of the CMDA.

Urban Wheel Awards

 

Send submissions for the CMDA Newsletter to  
Editor Lisa Hogan at CMDA Headquarters
(c) All rights reserved Chrysler Minority Dealers Association 2013 
 


Chrysler Minority Dealers Association, Inc.


Alhambra CDJR (California Superstores)

Bertera FIAT

Billion FIAT

Bob Ross FIAT

Butler Fiat of Indianapolis

Cars Plus CJD

Champion Dodge

Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Wilsonville

Classic CJD

Clippinger CJD

Courtesy Motors

DCJ of Vacaville

Dick's Town & Country CJD

Dodge Chrysler Jeep City

Fairfield CJD

FIAT of Lakeside

Folsom Lake Dodge (California Superstores)

Freedom Chrysler Jeep of Harrisburg

Freedom Dodge Chrysler Jeep

Great Lakes CDJR

Gresham Dodge

Gulfgate Dodge Chrysler Jeep

Heritage CJD

Kamaaina Motors

Kona Auto Center

Landers McLarty CJD Huntsville

Lums Auto Center

Madera/Gill  Chrysler Jeep Dodge

Martin DJC 

 

Milford Chrysler Sales

Momentum Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram

Neuwirth Motors

Noble Automotive

Northside FIAT

Outten County Chrysler

Park DCJ

Pearson DCJ

Performance CJD

Perris Valley DJC

Puente Hills CDJR

Q FIAT

Rainier Dodge

South Valley Auto

South Miami FIAT
Spring CJD

Stateline CJD

Stateline FIAT

Steve Jones CJD

Steven Chrysler Jeep Dodge

Stevens Creek CJD

Stoneridge Motors

Superstition Springs CJ

Town & Country CJ

Town & Country FIAT

Town Chrysler Dodge

Turlock CDJR

Tyson Motor Corp

University CDJR 

US 1 Chrysler Jeep Dodge

Vicksburg CJD