< PreviousGET TO KNOW YOUR LEGISLATORSENATOR TOM UMBERGDistrict Office Contact Information:1000 E. Santa Ana Blvd., Ste. 220BSanta Ana, CA 92701Phone: (714) 558-378510Representing the 34th Senate District including parts of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Orange, Santa Ana, and Westminster.Thank You Senator Umberg! For authoring Senate Bill 361 - (Electronic Signatures) for Dealers.This bill will accomplish the following:• Remove the last hurdle for online transactions by allowing dealers to get customer signatures electronically.• Align California and federal law and modernize the vehicle retailing process by striking the prohibition in the California Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (CalUETA) barring e-signatures in vehicle sales and lease transactions.Biography: State Senator Tom Umberg is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, former federal criminal prosecutor, three term state legislator, small business owner and Deputy Drug Czar for President Clinton.Senator Umberg began his military service at the Korean DMZ and served three overseas tours. Umberg served active military duty in 2009, leading the U.S. military effort to attack corruption within the Afghan Army and Police, for which he was awarded a Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone.As a federal criminal prosecutor, Senator Umberg had a 100% conviction rate, trying numerous white collar, civil rights and gang cases. He successfully tried over 100 cases to verdict or judgment.Senator Umberg will continue working to keep our communities safe while also protecting the rights of workers, immigrants and women who deserve to be free from harassment and intimidation.Senator Umberg served as Deputy Drug Czar for President Bill Clinton where he was responsible for foreign drug interdiction, counter-drug intelligence and international drug policy. Umberg has a deep understanding of the strategies and resources we need to stop the current opioid epidemic and to put an end to senseless gun violence in our communities.Senator Umberg served three terms in the State Assembly, representing central Orange County. He worked across party lines, authoring 76 laws and bringing more than $563 million in funds to Orange County.Senator Umberg founded and built a successful veteran-owned small business in Orange County, recognized as one of California’s preeminent boutique law firms by “Best Lawyers” and “The Daily Journal.” Senator Umberg knows how to run a local business and will be a strong advocate for local small businesses, cutting red tape and unnecessary regulation.Personal: Senator Umberg lives in Orange County with his wife Robin, who is a Retired Brigadier General. They have three adult children and four grandchildren.DRIVING RELATIONSHIPS FORWARDAssurance / Tax / Advisory / dhg.com © 2021 Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP. All rights reserved. DHG is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP.3,000+Dealership Clients Served160+Dedicated Dealerships Professionals50States with Dealership ClientsWE LISTEN. WE UNDERSTAND. WE COLLABORATE.We leverage our extensive knowledge of and strategic relationships within the industry to help identify best practices and provide key services related to these dealership trending topics:TalentInnovation, Technology & DataSuccessionMergers & AcquisitionsRisk & RegulatoryPerformance & GrowthOn Monday, March 15th, Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced yet another new set of regulations that changes the laws under the California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA), which went into effect immediately. A copy of the regulations can be found here, but here is a high-level overview of what you’ll need to do:1. Update CCPA signage. The regulations now require that the “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” disclosures be posted in the areas where the dealer collects personal information. Therefore, you’ll want to ensure you update your CCPA signs to include this disclosure that links the consumer to your interactive web form for submitting CCPA opt-out requests. Remember, dealers are indeed deemed to be “selling” information as that term is broadly defined under the law.2. Ensure your CCPA forms allow for authorized agents requests. The regulations have clarified the requirements for verifying CCPA requests submitted by a consumer’s authorized agent. Many dealerships are using CCPA forms that do not comply with these requirements. The identity verification requirements for authorized agents are complex and somewhat counterintuitive, so it’s important to ensure you have a process set up for complying with these regulations.3. Add the new opt-out button. The regulations now specify a particular design and colors for the CCPA opt-out button (see below). It is highly recommended that dealers conform to this design and use a cookie banner that allows users to accept or decline third party tracking cookies, which are considered a “sale” of information under the CCPA. Unfortunately, most dealerships are using cookie banners that do not support compliance with these rules.4. Stop requiring unnecessary information for opt-out requests. There are four different types of requests a consumer can submit under the CCPA and each has its own identity verification requirements. The standard is the lowest for opt-out requests, and the new regulations prohibit businesses from asking for information that is not necessary to process the request. Again, many dealership web forms do not comply with this requirements because they aren’t set up to differentiate between the different types of requests. For example, many will require the customer enter a VIN or address in order to process an opt-out request.5. Ensure all “opt-out” links take the consumer directly to an interactive CCPA web form. After clicking on the “opt-out” or “do not sell” button, many websites simply direct the consumer to the dealer’s privacy policy. This is now prohibited. Rather, the consumer must be taken directly to the interactive CCPA web form where they can immediately submit the opt-out request.Don’t Have a Sign Yet?If you do not have a sign that properly gives a “notice at collection” to consumers who enter your dealership or service department, please go to our website and download a sample copy of your own: https://complyauto.com (In the upper right corner, select “Sample CCPA Sign.”)12New CCPA Regulations Went Into Effect Last March. Are You Covered?By Chris ClevelandChris ClevelandCo-FounderP: (385) 277-5882 E: chris@complyauto.comhttps://complyauto.comT12BROKERAGE SERVICESWELCOME TO THE TEAMJonathan Forgy, CPAI am pleased to inform you that I have recently joined Performance Brokerage Services as an associated broker, bringing over 35 years of experience as a CPA.For many years, I was a Partner at Parke Guptill, the leading automotive accounting firm in California. With an excellent reputation and significant client base, we got the attention of Dixon Hughes Goodman (DHG). Parke Guptill merged into DHG in 2016, and I was a Partner at the California office.I recently retired from DHG to continue my passion with buy-sell work. Having worked with many brokers for nearly 20 years, it was clear that the best fit was Performance Brokerage Services (PBS). The company consistently exemplifies putting the client’s interest first, and this was critically important to me.After 25 years, over 700 transactions and with a 90% closing rate, the company’s reputation remains unmatched and governed by the utmost ethical conduct and integrity. This has helped PBS become the highest volume dealership brokerage firm in North America. We simply operate differently.• We charge a success fee only with no upfront fees, retainers nor reimbursement of costs.• Our engagement agreements are flexible, straight-forward and with no fine print.• We are so confident our clients will be satisfied with our service, we allow for a termination clause.• We do not take listings to build an inventory. We work hard to accomplish the goals of our clients.• A core principle is a smaller territory for each advisor, allowing greater focus on the client.We are perfectly suited to manage the sale of your dealership, assist with maximizing the proceeds, and ensure a smooth, quick and confidential sale.We hope to earn your business, today or in the future, and we are committed to providing exceptional service. Confidentiality is paramount and all communications will be kept highly confidential.We pledge to do it right, every time, one client at a time!Jonathan Forgy, CPAPrivate: 909.538.1922jonathan@performancebrokerageservices.comNORTH AMERICA’S HIGHEST VOLUMEDEALERSHIP BROKERAGE FIRM949.461.1372 l PERFORMANCEBROKERAGESERVICES.COM49CLOSINGSIN 202014Theodore Robins Ford Celebrates 100 Years In the CommunityAt the tail end of WWI, Theodore Robins, Sr. was a pilot stationed in Long Beach and at that time a pilot was also the mechanic and in charge of maintenance. When the war ended Robins considered starting a chicken farm or using his mechanical skills to start a Model T repair shop – wisely he chose the latter and set up shop in 1921 in downtown Balboa (where the Fun Zone is currently located).Grandsons Jim and Dave Robins, the third generation to run the business, share that in 1923 two gentlemen showed up to the shop and asked their grandfather if he would lease the building to them, because they wanted to get a Ford franchise and thought it was a good location to open a dealership. Robins told the gentlemen he would think about it and the next day he drove his Model T up to Ford’s Los Angeles Regional office (no small fete in 1923!), filled out a financial statement and walked out the same day with his Ford Franchise on February 7, 1923. The one-page document hangs in the dealership. His quota was one vehicle each month. When the gentlemen came back to find out what he had decided, the story goes that Robins responded, “well, I was thinking about it and figured if a Ford franchise was good for you, it must be even better for me”. He sold his first Ford one week later for $637. A few decades later, during WWII, when vehicle sales were rationed by the Federal government, Robins had to rent a storage facility in Huntington Beach to store his inventory on blocks, only able to sell vehicles to the military.Other than that short time during WWII, the Robins family has continued to sell Fords in the community, moving from the Balboa Peninsula to Newport Beach and then to Costa Mesa. Jim and Dave’s first job at the dealership was cleaning their grandfather’s fish aquarium, before they moved on to stamping the back of Ford brochures with their family business’ address and washing cars for $.25 each as young boys. Both men have enjoyed working with their family over the years, in various roles and proud recipients of Ford’s President’s Award for 2020. The fourth generation - Dave’s daughters Nicole and Ashley - will take the reigns over eventually and carry on the family business.For now, it’s time to celebrate! On June 1, 2021, the family and employees commemorated their business, that for a century has served the community, along with representatives from Ford and look forward to an even bigger celebration in 2023 when they celebrate 100 years with Ford!Original Ford Franchise Agreement dated February 7, 1923Dave Robins (L) and Jim Robins with a photo of their grandfather Theodore Robins, Sr. in 1921OC Driven for Success Receives Donations from Industry Partners to Develop Service Technician Workforce!We are excited to share that OCADA’s charitable Foundation, OC Driven for Success, has been recognized by Bank of America Charitable Foundation with a grant of $10,000 and Enterprise Holdings Foundation with a second grant of $2,500! For many years, Bank of America has worked with nonprofit partners, elected officials, and others across Orange County to help drive economic opportunity and upward mobility and recently, Bank of America announced its newly-expanded $1.25 billion, five-year commitment to help advance racial equality and economic opportunity in our communities. Enterprise Holdings Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Enterprise Holdings, which, through its integrated network of independent regional subsidiaries and franchises, operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental, and Alamo Rent A Car brands. These generous donations are essential to help OC Driven for Success expand automotive technician workforce development in Orange County through: Outreach - OC Driven for Success staff will educate over 1,500 high school and college students annually on the opportunities our industry provides and the path to success. Scholarships - Future technicians will receive community college scholarships for tuition, books, safety uniforms, tools and college fees.Placement - Auto Tech students will be connected with dealership positions at recruiting fairs hosted by OC Driven for Success on community college campuses and via OCAutoJobs.com.15A big THANK YOU to the Wilson Automotive Group and the LA Chargers for their generous donations that helped raise over $5,000 for OC Driven for Success at OCADA’s Annual Golf Tournament earlier this month!For more information about OC Driven for Success, please contact Kim McPhaulat (949) 428-5050 or Kim@ocada.org.Retail WarrantyReimbursement.Better Bottom Line.WE ARE YOUR BEST CHOICE…Top 8 reasons Bellavia Blatt should handle yoursubmission for Retail Warranty ReimbursementTHE PIONEERS IN RETAIL WARRANTY REIMBURSMENTNATIONAL EXPERTISELeonard Bellavia and Steven Blatt have represented auto dealers across the nation for over 33 years and the firm is regarded as the pre-eminent authority for obtaining retail warranty parts and labor reimbursement in 48 states.EARNINGSOur average dealership client has realized $15,000 to $20,000 in additional profits per month. We will show you how to maximize your dealership’s blue sky value.RESULTSBellavia Blatt has successfully handled several thousand retail submissions on behalf of dealers for the past fifteen years. And because of this unmatched experience, our results yield the highest possible increases on warranty parts and labor.REPUTATIONBellavia Blatt is recommended by state dealer associations, CPAs and attorneys nationwide. We are widely regarded as the industry leader when it comes to obtaining retail warranty reimbursement for parts and labor.KNOWLEDGEWe carefully analyze your data, retail repair orders and trends to ensure your warranty reimbursement on both parts and labor is maximized. We know everything there is to know about your state law, as well as your manufacturer’s policy and procedure.LAW FIRM ADVANTAGEWe offer a low flat fee and never charge a contingency. Our fees are much lower than ”consultants” who take a percentage of your increases. As a law firm, we are held to the highest standards and have more resources and options available for favorable outcomes.LEGAL STRATEGIESOur team of attorneys collaborate to identify optimum markup yields and legal strategies to ensure you receive the highest possible retail reimbursement.HASSLE FREE!Our solution is turnkey. Our staff of analysts and attorneys do all of the work for you. As we submit on your letterhead, your manufacturer will not know that you have retained us, but we are there every step of the way.15263748MULTI STATE EXCLUSIVE ENDORSED PROVIDERFor more information, please reach us at info@DealerLaw.com, visit DealerLaw.com/warranty or call 516-873-3000WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY:For more information, please reach us at info@DealerLaw.com, visit DealerLaw.com/warranty or call 516-873-3000I am extremely satisfied with the service provided by Bellavia Blatt. We hired them to apply for an increase in our retail parts warranty markup percentage. Their pricing is a very reasonable flat fee, the process is very clear, and they are great about responding to questions, so you know everything you need to up front. There is not one thing that was negative throughout the process and, if we had to do it again, we would choose them.ANGIE LEEMANS East Moline Chevrolet - IllinoisBellavia Blatt was instrumental in assisting our auto group with our warranty reimbursement project. We had raging success with our submissions, and the process was painless. The customer service from the team was great. We could not have pulled this off without their dedication and assistance.CHAD LEAVITT Findlay Automotive Group - NevadaDealer Law was instrumental in assisting our dealership in obtaining a very significant warranty labor rate increase last year. We were already receiving retail for warranty parts, but Dealer Law was able to obtain an increase on that, too! They did the work investigating our customer pay rates and submitted the evidence along with the increase request to GM on our behalf. The increase in gross profit more than paid for the Dealer Law fee in just a few months. The advice we received on how to maintain our ELR is beneficial to receiving additional increases in years to come. We look forward to working with them again.KAREN FRYE Controller Orange Buick GMC - FloridaI wanted to thank Bellavia Blatt for the efforts and services provided with regard to our warranty reimbursement request. The documentation required to be collected, analyzed and submitted to ensure the greatest possible increase is not something that we were prepared to undertake. We have realized a substantial increase in profits as a result of your firm’s activities. My only regret is that we did not engage Bellavia Blatt earlier.RANDY PHILLIPS Morris Cadillac Buick GMC, Inc. - OhioWhen Scoggin-Dickey decided to pursue a request with General Motors in 2016 for a warranty reimbursement labor and parts increase, we contacted Bellavia Blatt. They guided us through the process and was extremely informative and knowledgeable of the required procedures, thus putting us at ease with the request process. The team was timely in putting together the information that GM needed and drafted the letters required for us to request the increase. This rewarded Scoggin-Dickey with a substantial increase in both the labor and parts reimbursement from GM. One year later, GM requested an audit of Scoggin-Dickey concerning the warranty reimbursement increase and Bellavia Blatt drafted another letter responding to that audit. GM allowed us to continue with the increased rates in part due to this law firm’s involvement. I would certainly recommend Bellavia Blatt to any dealership wanting to move forward with this procedure.TERESA LANGSTON Controller Scoggin-Dickey - TexasI am completely satisfied with the return on our investment after having employed Bellavia Blatt to review our GM parts warranty reimbursement. We have almost doubled our monthly gross profit retention on warranty parts at our GM store. If a dealer is not getting retail reimbursement for parts, I would highly recommend Bellavia Blatt as the solution to increasing warranty parts margins to near-retail levels. The repair order records submission process to the manufacturer was smooth and the cost of the service was recovered within a few months after receiving the higher margins on warranty parts achieved as submitted by your firm.JOE PROFETA Parts and Service Director Smail Auto Group - Pennsylvania18OCADA’s 57th AnnualGolf TournamentMonday, JUNE 7th 2021MISSION VIEJO COUNTRY CLUBTANNUALThe 57th Annual OCADA Golf Tournament was a great (rainy) day of golf at Mission Viejo Country Club. Golfers enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and a day of golfing, contests, and fun sponsored festivities throughout the course. After the tournament was finished, John Sackrison, Executive Director of the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented the first OCADA Lifetime Achievement Award to Al Parajeckas at their 57th Annual Golf Tournament. Al was thanked for his decades of leadership, tenacity, and for always jumping in to fight for our industry. 19AL PARAJECKAS OCADA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTtHANK YOU FOR YOUR DECADES OF LEADERSHIPNext >