Honda Dealer To Focus On Local Jobs In 2nd Term As Chairman Of The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association

NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lee Certilman, co-owner of the oldest Honda dealership on Long Island, Nardy Honda Smithtown (est.1971), has been named Chairman of the influential Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) for a second term.

The Association - established 108 years ago - is an organization that works tirelessly to support more than four hundred local businesses. In his role as Chairman of GNYADA, Certilman's leadership stretches across the entire metro New York area as he represents all franchised new car dealers in the region.  Combined, those businesses generate annual economic activity totaling $48.5 billion while providing 68,600 jobs in the area with over $4 billion in employment compensation.  Certilman is a third-generation automobile dealer.  He and his family have a long history of creating jobs and contributing to the Long Island Community.

"My job over the next 12 months is to continue to promote and defend a strong franchised system that benefits local people, local communities and the local business owners who manage them while at the same time being forever mindful of those less fortunate," said GNYADA chairman Lee Certilman.

"Auto dealers in our area provide tens of thousands of well-paying jobs, so, when I'm talking to legislators about our industry, I think about all these individuals who will be impacted by every decision made. It's an incredible motivator to keep fighting for this industry," he said.

"As well as the economic benefits of dealership life, the philanthropic role that our members play in their local communities is vitally important. Whether donating vehicles to help the fundraising efforts of local hospitals and colleges or providing training equipment for schools, offering scholarships or volunteering their services, dealers have a proud tradition of dedicated community service. Literally thousands of causes receive tens of millions of dollars each year from new car dealers," continued Certilman.

Local dealers, through the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association support many worthwhile programs and services. Everything from the New York Cares Coat Drive to collect and donate coats for needy individuals and the $3 million in Scholarships and Prizes to automotive vocational high school students taking part in our annual National Auto Technology Competition to the CPR training mannequins donated each year by you to local fire departments, police departments and ambulance corps throughout greater New York.

As an organization, GNYADA has also stepped up to provide financial relief to disaster victims when needed. Following the 9/11 attacks, the Association made a $50,000 donation to the American Red Cross and coordinated member-donated vehicles to assist the recovery.  In the aftermaths of both Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy, GNYADA sent $100,000 in relief donations. GNYADA also sent $50,000 to help victims of the Haiti earthquake, contributed $100,000 to help the thousands of dealership employees and their families who have suffered catastrophic losses caused by Hurricane Harvey and most recently, contributed $50,000 to aid Puerto Rico's recovery efforts.

On a personal level, Certilman is a generous supporter of the Long Island Alzheimer Association, Big Brothers, American Cancer Society, and Juvenile Diabetes.  In addition, through Nardy Honda's community outreach program he provides time and funds to local educational and charity drives.  Lee is a graduate of Syracuse University and was Director of Affiliate Relations at CBS Television before joining his family's automobile retailing business in 1985.

ABOUT GNYADA
The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association represents over 400 franchised automobile dealerships in the metro area of New York. Collectively, they inject $48.5 billion into the economy and generate $2.4 billion in tax revenue for New York while helping to sustain a workforce of 68,600 directly and indirectly.  A third of these jobs are in the high-paying service department. GNYADA also operates the Center for Automotive Education & Training and organizes the New York International Automobile Show-the largest auto show in North America-each spring in Manhattan's Jacob Javits Convention Center.  For more information visit gnyada.com.

SOURCE Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association