January–March 2023

January—March 2023 | Volume 30 Issue 1

Life Moving Forward CEO’s Message: So, Who’s Next?

Industry Advisor: Converting Used Vehicles What’d You Say? Lot Lingo 101 ...and so much more!

THE NMEDA MAGAZINE

FOR THE WIN!

The Inside Story of How the AUTO Act Became Law See pg. 22

The Votes Are In! 2023 Board Election Results See pg. 39

NMEDA.org

A N O F F I C I A L LY L I C E N S E D

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NMEDA CIRCUIT BREAKER

JAN—MAR 2023

THE NMEDA MAGAZINE

President

VOLUME 30, ISSUE 1

FEATURES

COLUMNS

20

In Memoriam

8

Officer’s Message - By Sam Cook

22

On the Cover For the Win: The Inside Story of How the AUTO Act Became Law - By Amy Schoppman

18

CEO’s Message - By Danny Langfield

26

Canada Officer’s Message - By Russ Newton

30

Mobility MY Way - By Mike Savicki

40 Industry Advisor - By Harry Baergen

32

What’d You Say? Lot Lingo 101 - By Eric Baker

46

39

Member Bulletin: 2023 Election Results

44

Welcome to the BOD: Steve Dawson - By Katie McDonald

Christian Quandt

CEO Danny Langfield

Layout, Editor & Creative Director Katie McDonald

Contributing Writers Harry Baergen Eric Baker Sam Cook Chuck Hardy Danny Langfield Katie McDonald Russ Newton Mike Savicki Amy Schoppman

CONTENTS

QAP Straight Talk - By Chuck Hardy

ALSO

4

Board of Directors

6

Staff Directory

9

Around the Industry

10

Dealer Member Directory

48

QAP Dashboard

50

Industry Member Directory

51

Subscription rates for the USA and Canada: $16.50/four issues.

Back issues are available by calling the NMEDA office.

Allied Health Professional Member Directory

52

Edu/Government/Non-Profit Member Directory

All rights are reserved under copyright laws © 2023.

54

Dates to Remember

The Circuit Breaker is published quarterly by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association.

3327 W. Bearss Avenue Tampa, FL 33618 For business office, advertising, and subscriptions: Tel: 813.264.2697 Toll-Free: 800.833.0427 www.nmeda.org info@nmeda.org

The articles published in the Circuit Breaker reflect the opinions of their authors, not NMEDA. As such, NMEDA neither takes a position on nor assumes responsibility for the accuracy of the information or statements contained therein.

MISSION The mission of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association is to advocate and exemplify excellence in providing safe, reliable transportation solutions to enhance accessibility.

Jan-Mar 2023

3

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Christian Quandt, President

Russ Newton, Canadian President

Advanced Wheels 33 Bradley Park Road East Granby, CT 06026 860.653.8064 phone christian@advancedwheels.com

Sure Grip 4850 Route 102 Upper Kingsclear, NB E3E 1P8 800.506.6666 phone russ@suregrip-hvl.com

Sam Cook, Vice President

Eva Richardville, Allied Health Professional Rep.

Superior Van & Mobility 1506 Lakeshore Court Louisville, KY 40223 502.447.8267 phone scook@superiorvan.com

Eric Mansfield, Secretary MobilityWorks 810 Moe Drive Akron, OH 44310 800.638.8267 phone eric.mansfield@mobilityworks.com

Catherine Martin, Treasurer Ilderton Conversions 701 South Main Street High Point, NC 27260 336.841.6100 phone cmartin@ilderton.com

Gina Lewis, Manufacturer Rep.

Trevorr Jurgensen, Rep. at Large 1 MobilityWorks 810 Moe Drive Akron, OH 44310 800.638.8267 phone trevorr.jurgensen@mobilityworks.com

Dennis Charvat, Rep. at Large 2 Total Mobility Services 4785 Penn Avenue Boswell, PA 15531 814.629.9935 phone dennis@tmservices.com

Corey Kupsh Rep. at Large 3

Adapt-Solutions 145 Damase-Breton St-Lambert, QC G0S 2W0 866.641.0419 phone ginalewis@adapt-solutions.ca

A & J Mobility 333 Washington Street Valders, WI 54245 920.775.4104 phone coreyk@aandjvans.com

Todd Navarrete, Manufacturer Rep.

Dan Walsh, Rep. at Large 4

VMI 5205 S. 28th Place Phoenix, AZ 85040 800.348.8267 phone toddn@vantagemobility.com

Chad Blake, Past President Ability Center 4797 Ruffner Street San Diego, CA 92111 858.541.0552 phone cblake@abilitycenter.com

4

Therapeutic Mobility Services, Inc. 311 N. Airport Office Park Fort Wayne, IN 46285 260.417.8399 phone eva@theramobility.net

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Bussani Mobility 500 Central Avenue Bethpage, NY 11714 516.938.5207 phone dwalsh@wegetyouthere.com

NMEDA Hall of Fame Call for 2023 Nominations Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond in the Automotive Mobility Industry?

Someone who deserves recognition for their devotion to quality, innovation, and collaboration?

Visit www.nmeda.com/HallofFame to learn more about our Hall of Fame and to nominate an outstanding automotive mobility professional for the 2023 induction!

Jan-Mar 2023

5

NMEDA STAFF DIRECTORY Danny Langfield CEO danny.langfield@nmeda.org

Kristen Clevidence Quality Program Manager kristen.clevidence@nmeda.org

Mikala Ballard Membership & Administration Coordinator mikala.ballard@nmeda.org

Chuck Hardy Director of Quality & Compliance chuck.hardy@nmeda.org

Trevor Jennings Director of Partner Relations trevor.jennings@nmeda.org

Amy Lane

Director of Education, Training & Conference amy.lane@nmeda.org

Katie McDonald Director of Communications & Social katie.mcdonald@nmeda.org

Marilyn Myers Senior Bookkeeper marilyn.myers@nmeda.org

Amy Schoppman Director of Government Relations & Public Policy amy.schoppman@nmeda.org

6

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

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Jan-Mar 2023

7

OFFICER’S MESSAGE

I Know Where the Bodies are Buried

By Sam Cook, Superior Van & Mobility VICE PRESIDENT, NMEDA

A

s the old saying goes, “Time

they ask me what happened back in

to convert vehicles, because of the

flies when you’re having fun.”

2006. I have had the great fortune

complexity of vehicles built today,

Well, the time has flown by

of watching, listening, and learning

keep many consumers from getting

over the twenty-plus years of serving

from so many smart people that have

the vehicle they need. Another

on the NMEDA Board. They tell me I

given their time to NMEDA. Marcus

challenge is hiring and retaining

am the longest-serving board member

Smith, Martin Smith, John Quandt,

technicians. We must work together

ever. Having served as the southern

Gene Morton, Bob Nunn, Bill Siebert,

to sell our industry to young people

representative (yes, we used to have

John and Dan Bussani, Michael

looking to make this industry their

regional representatives), two stints

Dresdner, Pete Zarba, Bill Koeblitz,

career. We have a lot to offer, we are

as Vice President, President, and Past

Mark Lore, Richard May, Tom Wright,

not just turning a wrench, we are

President—you can say I know where

Nick Gutwein, Chad Blake, Tim Barone,

changing lives every day. The biggest

all the bodies are buried!

Russ Newton, Ron Mohr, Jud DeMott,

question is, how do we tell the outside

Eric Mansfield, Gina Lewis, and Mark

world our story and get young people

DiRosa just to name a few. These

to join our ranks?

people, along with many others, paved

So, as my time on the Board has

All kidding aside, serving on this board has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding things I have ever done. I gained a few mentors along the way and now have friends

the way for NMEDA to be on the solid footing that it is today.

concluded, I challenge you to get involved with NMEDA. The rewards

for life. When I first joined the board,

NMEDA has accomplished many

you will get out of it will be much

John Quandt, our current president’s

things while I have been on the board.

greater than the time you put in.

father, called me “the kid.” Now

Primarily, NMEDA is the voice of

---

the auto mobility industry. We are who government officials, service organizations, and third-party payers look to for standards and guidance on matters dealing with accessible vehicles. NMEDA has many lobbyists in Washington, DC and its own Political Action Committee. NMEDA’s paid staff is second to none and having these staff members allow many things to get accomplished promptly.

The two biggest concerns and challenges we face moving forward are as follows: One, pricing. The cost

8

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Sam Cook with Becky Plank, NMEDA Founder, circa 2001.

Check out pg 43 to learn more about the volunteer opportunities available!

AROUND THE INDUSTRY Driverge Acquisition Last December, NMEDA member Driverge Vehicle Innovations announced that it has acquired US Upfitters, an Illinois-based business that specializes in converting commercial trucks, vans, SUVs, and sedans into work-ready vehicles.

According to the announcement, the acquisition will enhance Driverge’s national presence by adding new sales and operation locations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Maryland, and Colorado, in addition to its existing facilities in Ohio, Kansas, South Carolina, and California. It will also broaden Driverge’s product line to include commercial truck, SUV, sedan, and fleet vehicle conversions.

NMEDA CEO Transition News The NMEDA Board of Directors announced late last year that Danny Langfield will be stepping down from his current position of CEO on July 1, 2023, to transition to a new role as the inaugural Executive Director of NMEDA’s recently formed 501c3 nonprofit Research Foundation. The Board has appointed a search committee, co-chaired by NMEDA Past Presidents Sam Cook and Chad Blake, to assist the Board in identifying Langfield’s successor. The committee will work with a national executive search firm to identify and vet qualified candidates for the CEO position.

“NMEDA has thrived under Danny’s leadership, and we are all grateful for his service,” said Chad Blake, NMEDA Past President. “While it is bittersweet to see his transition out of the NMEDA CEO role, the entire organization is excited about the possibilities of our new research foundation. We are optimistic that we will find the right candidate to lead NMEDA into the next phase of our industry.”

In his new role beginning next summer, Langfield will be charged with overseeing all aspects of the fledgling Research Foundation, including establishing its Board structure, bylaws, budget, mission, vision, and strategic plan, as well as its web and social presence and all branding and marketing collateral. As per the current NMEDA three-year strategic plan, the Foundation is expected to issue its first formal report, “The State of the Auto Mobility Industry,” in Q2 of 2024, utilizing anonymous data aggregated from the QAPx and Docutrack administration systems.

Partner with Your Local PVA PVA members want to know more about electric vehicles, and NMEDA dealers can help. The NMEDA and PVA Government Relations teams partnered on a webinar in December—”Electric Vehicles are the Future. Are They Accessible?”—to educate veterans on the hybrid WAVs currently available for consumer purchase and to provide a forum for PVA’s members to ask questions about electric/hybrid vehicles and accessibility. Our industry experts—which included VMI’s COO Philip Angelechio, VMI’s Director of Operations Dale Deskins, and BraunAbility’s Director of Advanced Mobility Solutions Kevin Frayne—fielded nearly 30 minutes of questions from an audience eager to learn more about how an electric future might impact their transportation options.

Given the significant interest in this topic, we encourage NMEDA members to reach out to their local PVA chapter(s) and establish themselves as a resource for veterans seeking automotive mobility in an increasingly electrified automotive industry. This population wants to understand what their EV/hybrid options are and how EV/hybrid architectures might impact the installation of assistive technology, and NMEDA members are uniquely positioned to provide answers.

Jan-Mar 2023

9

NMEDA DEALER MEMBERS UNITED STATES ____________________________

ALABAMA Griffin Mobility 213 Chestnut Street NW Hartselle, AL 35640 (256) 751-1365 1 Gulf States Mobility 1647 Coosa River Parkway Wetumpka, AL 36092 (334) 514-6590 1, 2, 3 High Tech Mobility LLC 3351 Warrior River Rd Hueytown, AL 35023-1304 (205) 491-2109 1, 3 MobilityWorks Birmingham 3747 Pine Lane SE Bessemer, AL 35022 (205) 426-8261 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Huntsville 2150 Meridian Street North Huntsville, AL 35811 (234) 542-3022 1, 3 Superior Van & Mobility Montgomery 2015 Eastern Blvd.

Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 244-1011 1, 3

____________________________

ARIZONA A.D.E. Industries, Inc. 3621 S Palo Verde Tucson, AZ 85713 (520) 571-7156 1 Ability Center - Goodyear 13765 W Auto Drive Suite 125 Goodyear, AZ 85338 (623) 242-0552 1, 3 Ability Center - Phoenix 23606 N 19th Ave Phoenix, AZ 85085 (623) 879-0800 1, 3 Ability Center - Tucson 4720 N La Cholla Blvd Suite 150 Tucson, AZ 85705 (520) 293-3596 1, 3

10

United Access - Chandler 1825 E Germann Road Suite 24 Chandler, AZ 85286 (480) 999-5939 1, 2, 3 United Access - Scottsdale 14885 N 83rd Pl., Ste 105 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (480) 941-4800 1

____________________________

ARKANSAS MobilityWorks - Bryant 3418 Main St Suite 400 Bryant, AR 72022 (501) 794-3100 1, 3 Superior Van & Mobility Fayetteville 2887 N College Ave Suite B Fayetteville, AR 72703 (479) 521-8433 1, 3 Superior Van & Mobility Jonesboro 2421 Sunny Meadow Drive, Ste D Jonesboro, AR 72401 (870) 933-7270 1, 3 Superior Van & Mobility North Little Rock 7323 Cock of the Walk St Suite B North Little Rock, AR 72113 (501) 725-9070 1, 3

____________________________

CALIFORNIA Ability Center Sacramento 6550 Freeport Blvd Suite A Sacramento, CA 95822 (916) 392-1196 1, 3

Ability Center - Stanton 11600 Western Avenue Stanton, CA 90680 (714) 890-8262 1, 3 Economy Medical Lifestyle Mobility 2355 Whitman Rd Ste F Concord, CA 94518-2542 (925) 671-4800 1

MobilityWorks - Van Nuys 7720 North Sepulveda Blvd Van Nuys, CA 91405 (888) 473-5402 1, 3

Gary E. Colle, Inc./dba Goldenboy of San Diego 12130 Dearborn Place Poway, CA 92064 (858) 748-9414 1, 3

SACVANS Mobility 5821 Florin Perkins Rd Sacramento, CA 95828 (916) 381-8267 1

MobilityWorks - Chico 7 Three Sevens Lane Chico, CA 95973 (800) 225-7361 1, 3

COLORADO

MobilityWorks - Fresno 120 North Diamond Street Fresno, CA 93701 (559) 268-9394 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Hawthorne 3403 Jack Northrop Ave Hawthorne, CA 90250 (310) 432-0700 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Oakland 1822 Embarcadero Avenue Oakland, CA 94606 (510) 927-2860 1 MobilityWorks - Pasadena 325 North Altadena Drive Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 584-8181 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Riverside 7239 Indiana Avenue Riverside, CA 92504 (951) 686-3152 1,3

Ability Center - San Bernadino 711 S Allen St San Bernardino, CA 92408 (909) 383-3883 1, 3

MobilityWorks Sacramento 3127 Fite Circle Suite B Sacramento, CA 95827 (800) 225-7361 1, 3

Ability Center - San Diego 4797 Ruffner Street San Diego, CA 92111 (858) 541-0552 1, 3

MobilityWorks - San Diego 8130 Parkway Drive LaMesa, CA 91942 (619) 474-4072 1

Ability Center - Santa Rosa 3285 Santa Rosa Avenue Suite A Santa Rosa, CA 95707 (707) 575-6997 1, 3

MobilityWorks - San Francisco 890 Cowan Road Suite B Burlingame, CA 94010 (800) 225-7361 1,3

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

MobilityWorks - Santa Clara 1245 Laurelwood Rd Santa Clara, CA 95054 (888) 473-5402 1, 3

____________________________

Colorado Fleet & Mobility, dba Mobility of Denver 2311 S Platte River Drive Denver, CO 80223 (844) 289-2635 1, 3 Frontier Access & Mobility Systems, Inc. - Fort Collins 819 E. Mulberry St. Fort Collins, CO 80524 (970) 223-8267 1 Mobility Driven 832 Nth Crest Unit B Grand Junction, CO 81506 (970) 712-1435 1 MobilityWorks - Aurora 1640 S Abilene St Aurora, CO 80012 (720) 640-9989 1, 3 United Access - Colorado Springs 6285 Corporate Dr Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (877) 501-8267 1 United Access - Highlands Ranch 5910 E County Line Rd Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 (877) 501-8267 1, 2, 3 United Access - Wheat Ridge 9500 W 49th Ave Ste C107 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 (877) 501-8267 1, 2, 3

____________________________

1 = Mobility Equipment Installer 2 = Structural Vehicle Modifier 3 = High Tech Driving Systems Installer

CONNECTICUT Advanced Wheels - East Granby 33 Bradley Park Road East Granby, CT 06026 (860) 653-8064 1, 2, 3 Advanced Wheels of Technology 650 Coe Avenue, Suite 2 East Haven, CT 06512 (203) 800-8064 1 MobilityWorks - East Hartford 104 Pitkin Street E. Hartford, CT 06108 (860) 282-8202 1, 3

____________________________

DELAWARE

Kempf Inc 5532 56th Commerce Park Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33610 (813) 630-0409 1, 3 Mike Erdman Mobility 4650 US Highway 520 Cocoa, FL 32926 (321) 636-8887 1 Mobility Transportation Systems 4010 East Hillsborough Ave. Tampa, FL 33610 (813) 246-9116 1, 2, 3 MobilityWorks - Clermont 20354 US Highway 27 Clermont, FL 34715 (352) 322-2256 1, 3

MobilityWorks - Bear 1010 Contractors Way Bear, DE 19701 (302) 613-7555 1, 3

MobilityWorks - Daytona 364 Destination Daytona Ln Ormond Beach, FL 32137 (386) 586-5495 1, 3

NuMotion/Spinlife 773 South DuPont Hwy New Castle, DE 19720 (302) 836-4110 1

MobilityWorks - Fort Lauderdale 5601 Powerline Road Suite 104 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 (954) 974-7028 1

FLORIDA

MobilityWorks - Fort Myers 12530 Metro Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33966 (239) 275-1900 1

____________________________

Ability Center - Orlando 4401 Edgewater Dr Orlando, FL 32804-1215 (407) 751-4158 1 Ability Center - Sarasota 5611 S Tamiami Trl Sarasota, FL 34231-4140 (941) 706-4687 1, 3 Advanced Driving Systems, Inc. 662 Capital Cir NE Tallahassee, FL 32301 (850) 671-2300 1, 2, 3 Auto Express South 4852 Palm Beach Blvd Fort Myers, FL 33905 (239) 693-4000 1, 4 Custom Mobility 7199 Bryan Dairy Road Largo, FL 33777 (727) 539-8119 1, 3

MobilityWorks Jacksonville 2727 St Johns Bluff Road S Jacksonville, FL 32246 (904) 281-0111 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Lake Worth 1925 10th Ave N Unit 1 Lake Worth, FL 33461 (561) 586-1997 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Largo 8203 Ulmerton Road Largo, FL 33771 (727) 521-4248 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Miami 5201 NW 77th Ave Suite 100 Miami, FL 33166 (305) 234-0071 1, 3

MobilityWorks - Ocala 7265 SW 62nd Ave Unit 1 Ocala, FL 34476 (352) 300-1173 1 MobilityWorks - Orlando 7260 Narcoossee Road Orlando, FL 32822 (407) 674-8778 1, 3 MobilityWorks Tallahassee 1505 Capital Circle NW Tallahassee, FL 32303 (850) 224-4383 1 MobilityWorks - Tampa 8706D East Broadway Ave Tampa, FL 33619 (813) 628-4255 1, 3 Ocean Conversions & Mobility 750 East Sample Road Bldg 1 Suite 3 Pompano Beach, FL 33064 (954) 942-6033 1, 2, 3 Ocean Conversions of Fort Myers Inc 5751 Zip Drive Ft. Myers, FL 33905 (239) 936-6333 1, 2, 3 Superior Van & Mobility Pensacola 6260 Technology Dr. Suite B Pensacola, FL 32505 (850) 378-8914 1, 3

MobilityWorks - Marietta 1255 Kennestone Circle Suite 100 Marietta, GA 30066 (800) 444-9100 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Savannah 3938 Ogeechee Road Savannah, GA 31405 (912) 233-1050 1 R & R Van Lift Sales & Service - Athens 164 Commerce Blvd Athens, GA 30606 (470) 276-6282 1 R & R Van Lift Sales & Service - Conyers 2130 Sigman Road Conyers, GA 30012 (770) 483-0767 1, 2, 3

____________________________

HAWAII Soderholm Mobility 2044 Dillingham Blvd Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 834-1417 1, 3

____________________________

ILLINOIS Bettenhausen Auto 8355 W 159th St Tinley Park, IL 60477-1220 (708) 532-2665 1

GEORGIA

MobilityWorks - Niles 9207 N Milwaukee Ave Niles, IL 60714 (847) 673-4300 1, 3

Adaptive Driving Solutions 3585 Riverwatch Parkway Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-2688 1, 2, 3

MobilityWorks - Plainfield 23855 W Andrew Road Plainfield, IL 60585 (888) 473-5402 1, 3

Custom Mobility Van & Lift Sales & Svcs. LLC 315 Whitehead Rd Athens, GA 30606 (706) 353-1099 1, 3

MobilityWorks - Villa Park 155 East North Avenue Villa Park, IL 60181 (888) 473-5402 1, 3

___________________________

MobilityWorks - Atlanta 3700 Dekalb Technology Pkwy Doraville, GA 30340 (470) 427-0696 1, 3

Personal Mobility Champaign 1109 Parkland Ct Champaign, IL 61821 (217) 398-1188 1, 3

Jan-Mar 2023

11

NMEDA DEALER MEMBERS Personal Mobility - Peoria 7611 N Harker Drive Peoria, IL 61615 (309) 966-3089 1, 3 Personal Mobility Springfield 2924 N Dirksen Parkway Springfield, IL 62702 (217) 544-2699 1, 3 Southern Bus and Mobility - Breese 12950 Koch Lane PO Box 37 Breese, IL 62230 (618) 526-4131 1, 3

____________________________

INDIANA MobilityWorks - Merrillville 1710 W 81st Avenue Merrillville, IN 46410 (234) 200-1339 1, 3 Superior Van & Mobility Evansville 3414 Interstate Drive Evansville, IN 47715 (812) 402-8267 1, 3 Superior Van & Mobility Fishers 13095 Parkside Drive Fishers, IN 46038 (317) 436-6722 1, 3 Superior Van & Mobility Fort Wayne 2218 Contractors Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46818 (260) 497-8267 1, 3 Superior Van & Mobility Indianapolis 5410 South Madison Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46227 (317) 781-6900 1, 3 Superior Van & Mobility South Bend 4246 Meghan Beeler Ct. Suite 1 South Bend, IN 46628 (574) 271-1175 1, 3

____________________________

IOWA MobilityWorks - Grimes 3450 SE Miehe DrSuite 1 Grimes, IA 50111 (501) 795-3100 1, 3

Superior Van & Mobility Baton Rouge 12329 Industriplex Blvd Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (225) 663-8830 1, 3

Total Mobility Services Inc - Frederick 5411 Yukon Court Suite B Frederick, MD 21703 (240) 490-7840 1, 3

Siebert Mobility of Iowa LLC 3554 Dolphin Drive Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 351-3159 1, 3

Superior Van & Mobility New Orleans 1901 Westbank Expressway Suite 500 Harvey, LA 70058 (504) 684-2100 1

____________________________

____________________________

MASSACHUSETTS

KANSAS

MAINE

Banner Mobility Resources Inc. 231 SE 53rd St Ste C Topeka, KS 66609 (785) 235-3070 1

MobilityWorks - Bangor 1766 Hammond St Hermon, ME 04401 (888) 473-5402 1

Adaptive Mobility Equipment, Inc. 1551 Fall River Ave Seekonk, MA 02771 (508) 336-2556 1, 3

Kansas Truck Mobility 8846 West Monroe Circle Wichita, KS 67209 (316) 722-4291 1 United Access - Lenexa 7921 Bond St Lenexa, KS 66214 (877) 501-8267 1, 3

____________________________

KENTUCKY Superior Van & Mobility Lexington 761 East New Circle Road Lexington, KY 40505 (859) 253-1832 1, 3 Superior Van & Mobility Louisville 1506 Lakeshore Court Louisville, KY 40223 (502) 447-8267 1, 3

____________________________

LOUISIANA

MobilityWorks - Gray 32 Lewiston Road Unit 2B Gray, ME 04039 (207) 657-6664 1,3

____________________________

MARYLAND All Mobility Store LLC 8999 Ocean Hwy Delmar, MD 21875 (410) 543-4323 1, 3 BEDCO Mobility 6300 Falls Rd Unit 2 Baltimore, MD 21209 (410) 825-1440 1 Jerry’s Mobility 8001 Belair Rd Baltimore, MD 21236-3709 (410) 661-5700 1 Koons Ford of Annapolis 2540 Riva Road Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 224-2100 1, 3

FastServ Medical - Bossier 1329 Driftwood Drive Bossier City, LA 71111 (318) 741-9586 1, 3

MobilityWorks - Baltimore 2601 N Rolling Road Windsor, MD 21244 (443) 384-0080 1

Fastserv Medical - Monroe 112 Summer Lane West Monroe, LA 71291 (318) 396-3366 1, 3

MobilityWorks - Beltsville 11409 Maryland Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705 (727) 521-4248 1, 3 Oneness Mobility Service LLC 7701 Penn Belt Drive Forestville, MD 20747 (301) 568-6686 1, 2, 3

12

The Customizers, Inc. 14133 Pennsylvania Ave Hagerstown, MD 21742 (301) 797-7727 1

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

____________________________

Advanced Wheels - North Oxford 6 Boulder Pkwy North Oxford, MA 01537 (508) 731-0073 1 MobilityWorks - North Attleboro 57 George Levin Drive N. Attleboro, MA 02760 (508) 643-0605 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Norwood 560 Boston Providence Highway Norwood, MA 02062 (781) 278-8885 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Woburn 299 Washington Street Suite H Woburn, MA 01801 (339) 298-5650 1,3

____________________________

MICHIGAN Access Mobility Center 7620 Eastman Avenue Midland, MI 48642 (989) 633-6100 1 Clock Mobility - Grand Rapids 6700 Clay Ave Grand Rapids, MI 49548 (616) 698-9400 1, 2, 3 Clock Mobility - Lansing 603 N Waverly Rd Lansing, MI 48917-2800 (517) 272-4488 1

1 = Mobility Equipment Installer 2 = Structural Vehicle Modifier 3 = High Tech Driving Systems Installer

Clock Mobility - Traverse City 587 W Blue Star Drive Traverse City, MI 49684 (231) 943-9890 1

Cummings Mobility - Little Canada 2940 Rice St. Little Canada, MN 55113 (651) 633-7887 1

United Access - Kansas City 8200 NW 97th Ter Kansas City, MO 64153 (877) 501-8267 1, 3

Creative Mobility Group Byron Center 7740 Clyde Park Avenue SW Byron Center, MI 49315 (616) 583-9730 1

MobilityWorks - Roseville 1915 County Rd C West Roseville, MN 55113 (234) 312-2000 1, 3

United Access - Springfield MO 1389 N Cedarbrook Ave Springfield, MO 65802 (877) 501-8267 1, 3

Creative Mobility Group Madison Heights 32217 Stephenson Hwy Madison Heights, MI 48071 (248) 577-5430 1, 3

MISSISSIPPI

United Access - St. Louis (North) 9389 Natural Bridge Rd St Louis, MO 63134 (877) 501-8267 1, 2, 3

Creative Mobility Group, Inc. - Wayne 33073 Michigan Avenue Wayne, MI 48184 (734) 595-4400 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Detroit 1604 East 14 Mile Road Madison Heights, MI 48071 (888) 473-5402 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Saginaw 8175 Gratiot Road Saginaw, MI 48609 (888) 473-5402 1, 3 Superior Van & Mobility Ann Arbor 3858 Bestech Rd Ste A Ypsilanti, MI 48197-3294 (734) 802-5286 1, 3

____________________________

MINNESOTA Bert’s Truck Equipment of Moorhead, Inc. 3804 Hwy 75 North Moorhead, MN 56560 (218) 233-8681 1 Cummings Mobility Albertville 6540 Jansen Ave NE Albertville, MN 55301 (763) 497-0103 1, 2, 3 Cummings Mobility Burnsville 2511 West Hwy 13 Burnsville, MN 55337 (952) 435-8889 1

____________________________

Js Mobility Unlimited Inc 3880 Flowood Drive Flowood, MS 39232 (601) 939-2112 1, 2, 3 Mobility Systems Inc 2857 Oak Grove Road Hattiesburg, MS 39402 (601) 264-0609 1, 2, 3 Total Mobility Concepts LLC 2074 Cliff Gookin Blvd Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 269-2068 1

____________________________

MISSOURI DW Auto & Home Mobility Specialties 1208 N Garth Ave Columbia, MO 65203 (800) 568-2271 1, 2, 3 Southern Bus & Mobility Inc - Valley Park 80 South Highway Drive Valley Park, MO 63088 (636) 825-0700 1 United Access - Cape Girardeau 753 S Kingshighway St Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 (877) 501-8267 1 United Access - Columbia 618 Jackson St Columbia, MO 65203 (877) 501-8267 1, 3 United Access - Fenton 980 S Highway Dr Fenton, MO 63026 (877) 501-8267 1

____________________________

NEBRASKA Mobility Motoring 7222 South 142nd Street Omaha, NE 68138 (402) 884-3333 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Omaha 4044 South 60th St Omaha, NE 68117 (402) 991-2555 1, 3 Superior Van & Mobility Omaha 11147 Mockingbird Dr. Omaha, NE 68137 (402) 934-7826 1, 3

____________________________

NEVADA Ability Center - Las Vegas 6001 S Decatur Blvd Ste N Las Vegas, NV 89118 (702) 434-3030 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Las Vegas 3575 W Cheyenne Ave Suite #108 North Las Vegas, NV 89032-8257 (702) 876-9606 1, 3

____________________________

NEW HAMPSHIRE MobilityWorks Londonderry 54 Wentworth Avenue Londonderry, NH 03053 (603) 437-4444 1, 2, 3

New England Motor Car Co Inc 13 River Road Hudson, NH 03051 (603) 888-1207 1, 3

____________________________

NEW JERSEY FTMobility 255 US Highway 46 West Saddle Brook, NJ 07663 (973) 546-1900 1 MobilityWorks Cinnaminson 2303 Wallace Blvd Cinnaminson, NJ 08077 (888) 473-5402 1, 3 MobilityWorks Farmingdale 5105 State Route 33 Wall Township, NJ 077274003 (888) 473-5402 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Highland Park 211 Woodbridge Ave Highland Park, NJ 08904 (732) 640-5350 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Woodbury 1549 Gateway Blvd Woodbury, NJ 08096 (888) 473-5402 1, 2, 3 ____________________________

NEW MEXICO United Access Albuquerque 3825 Osuna Rd NE Ste 1 Albuquerque, NM 87109 (877) 501-8267 1, 2, 3

____________________________

NEW YORK Bussani Mobility Bethpage 500 Central Ave Bethpage, NY 11714 (516) 938-5207 1, 3 Bussani Mobility Mamaroneck 501 Concord Avenue Mamaroneck, NY 10543 (914) 835-8267 1, 3

Jan-Mar 2023

13

NMEDA DEALER MEMBERS Bussani Mobility Team East, LLC 401 E Middle Country Road Smithtown, NY 11787 (631) 240-4128 1

MobilityWorks - Charlotte 4025 Queen City Drive Charlotte, NC 28208 (704) 399-0900 1, 3

MobilityWorks - Columbus 7233 Industrial Parkway Plain City, OH 43064 (614) 873-1580 1, 3

MobilityWorks - Concord 4012 Dearborn Place NW Concord, NC 28027 (704) 886-0868 1

MobilityWorks - Dayton 214 Valley Street Dayton, OH 45404 (937) 963-0733 1, 3

MobilityWorks - Buffalo 3560 Sheridan Drive Amherst, NY 14226 (716) 342-3530 1, 3

Stalls Medical Inc dba Adaptive Vans Inc 7980 Chapel Hill Road Suite 101 Cary, NC 27513 (919) 233-0732 1

MobilityWorks - Sharonville 11755 Mosteller Rd Sharonville, OH 45241 (513) 791-4000 1, 3

Tim’s Trim, Inc. 25 Bermar Park Rochester, NY 14624 (585) 429-6270 1, 2, 3

Van Products - Raleigh 2521 Noblin Road Raleigh, NC 27604 (919) 878-7110 1, 3

United Access - Rochester 3760 West Henrietta Rd Rochester, NY 14623 (585) 427-7220 1

Van Products - Wilmington 394 N Green Meadow Drive Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 793-5661 1

MobilityWorks - Albany 1892 Central Avenue Suite 25 Albany, NY 12205 (888) 473-5402 1, 3

United Access - Syracuse 2211 Erie Blvd E Syracuse, NY 13224 (877) 501-8267 1

____________________________

NORTH CAROLINA Care Solutions 110 B Edney Street Hendersonville, NC 28792 (828) 698-9844 1 Ilderton Conversion Company 501 S Hamilton St High Point, NC 27260-7655 (336) 841-2020 1, 2, 3 Ilderton Conversion of Asheville 735 Dogwood Road Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 670-1111 1, 3 Ilderton Conversion of Charlotte 1424 Archdale Drive Charlotte, NC 28210 (704) 523-2022 1, 3

________________________

OHIO Columbus Mobility Specialists, LLC 6330 Proprietors Rd Suite C Worthington, OH 43085 (614) 825-8996 1, 2, 3 Key Mobility Services 1944 US State Route 68 N Xenia, OH 45385 (937) 374-3226 1 Marietta Mobility Steves Vans & Accessories Unl 221 Pike Street Marietta, OH 45750 (800) 690-4950 1, 2, 3 MobilityWorks - Akron 810 Moe Drive Akron, OH 44310 (888) 473-5402 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Bedford Heights 5040 Richmond Rd. Bedford Heights, OH 44146 (800) 951-6238 1, 3

MobilityWorks - Toledo 1020 Laskey Road Toledo, OH 43612 (888) 473-5402 1, 3

____________________________

OKLAHOMA Handicapped Vehicle Services Unlimited 7434 East 46th Street Tulsa, OK 74145 (918) 622-8400 1 United Access - Oklahoma City 730 W Hefner Rd Oklahoma City, OK 73114 (877) 501-8267 1, 3

____________________________

OREGON Ability Center - Springfield 3574 Marcola Road Springfield, OR 97477 (541) 726-4001 1, 3 Ability Center - Wilsonville 9740 SW Wilsonville Road Suite 250 Wilsonville, OR 97070 (971) 224-5895 1, 3 United Access - Hillsboro 5170 NE Five Oaks Dr Hillsboro, OR 97124-5608 (877) 501-8267 1, 2, 3 United Access - Portland (East) 12905 NE Airport Way Portland, OR 97230 (877) 501-8267 1, 3

____________________________

PENNSYLVANIA Keller Wheelchair Lifts 197 Main Street Luzerne, PA 18709 (570) 288-1004 1, 2, 3 Keystone Coach Works 4786 Library Road Bethel Park, PA 15102 (412) 833-1900 1, 2, 3 MobilityWorks - Allentown 2200 South 12th St Suite 2210 Allentown, PA 18103 (888) 473-5402 1, 2, 3 MobilityWorks - Philadelphia 925 South Trooper Road Norristown, PA 19403 (888) 473-5402 1, 2, 3 MobilityWorks - Pittsburgh 1012 Seco Road Monroeville, PA 15146 (888) 473-5402 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Robinson Township 5460 Campbells Run Rd Suite 100 Robinson Township, PA 15205 (412) 799-6929 1, 3 Palmiero Mobility 16165 Conneaut Lake Road Meadville, PA 16335 (814) 336-1061 1 Steffy’s Garage Inc dba SGI Mobility 235 W Main Street Leola, PA 17540 (717) 656-6065 1, 3 Team Toyota of Glen Mills 1050 Baltimore Pike Glen Mills, PA 19342-1013 (484) 845-7915 1, 3 Total Mobility Services Inc Boswell 4785 Penn Avenue PO Box 7 Boswell, PA 15531 (814) 629-9935 1, 2, 3 Total Mobility Services Inc Harrisburg 7917 Derry Street Suite 124 Harrisburg, PA 17111 (800) 558-7408 1, 3 ____________________________

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NMEDA Circuit Breaker

1 = Mobility Equipment Installer 2 = Structural Vehicle Modifier 3 = High Tech Driving Systems Installer

PUERTO RICO All Mobility Puerto Rico Inc Carr 838 KM 1.8 Int Sector Melia Leon Guaynabo, PR 00969 (787) 398-3444 Equipos Pro Impedidos De P.R., Inc. Carr #1 Int R796 Km 10.4 Bo. Bairoa La 25 Caguas, PR 00725 (787) 746-7667 1, 3

____________________________

SOUTH CAROLINA Ilderton Conversion of Charleston LLC 8550 Rivers Avenue North Charleston, SC 29406 (843) 576-0414 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Columbia 3624 Fernandina Road Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 828-5754 1 MobilityWorks - Greenville 563 Woodruff Road Greenville, SC 29607 (864) 293-7171 1 MobilityWorks - Murrells Inlet 11816 Highway 17 Bypass Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 (843) 268-4850 1, 3

MobilityWorks - Gallatin 1015 S Water Avenue Gallatin, TN 37066 (651) 451-7373 1 MobilityWorks - Nashville 173 Industrial Drive Lavergne, TN 37086 (615) 280-5058 1, 3 Superior Van & Mobility Knoxville 10640 Braden Dickey Lane Knoxville, TN 37932 (865) 622-6550 1, 3 United Access - Memphis 2165 Hillshire Cir Memphis, TN 38133 (877) 501-8267 1, 3

____________________________

TEXAS Access2Mobility, Inc. 12406 State Highway 155 South Tyler, TX 75703 (903) 592-6760 1, 3 American Lift Aids Beaumont 2310 Calder Ave Beaumont, TX 77702 (409) 832-3400 1, 2, 3

SOUTH DAKOTA

American Lift Aids, Inc. Tyler 2407 W Southwest Loop 323 Tyler, TX 75701 (903) 581-8844 1, 2, 3

MobilityWorks - Tea 200 East 1st Street Tea, SD 57064 (605) 498-2200 1, 3

Andy’s Mobility & Lift Services 1502 Santa Ursula Laredo, TX 78040 (956) 722-7371 1

_______________________

____________________________

TENNESSEE Apple Independence Mobility 1750 Lee Seminary Road Cookeville, TN 38506 (877) 528-5788 1 MobilityWorks Chattanooga 3614 Elwood Ln Chattanooga, TN 37416-1769 (423) 308-8267 1, 3

Lift Aids Inc 1500 Westpark Way Euless, TX 76040 (817) 835-0035 1, 2, 3 MobilityWorks - Austin 239 Commercial Drive Buda, TX 78610 (512) 295-3800 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Dallas 4150 Interstate 30 Mesquite, TX 75150 (972) 270-7114 1, 3

MobilityWorks - Fort Worth 2110 N Beach Ft Worth, TX 76111 (866) 211-8267 1, 3 MobilityWorks - San Antonio 6473 DeZavala Road San Antonio, TX 78249 (210) 697-8884 1, 2, 3 MobilityWorks - Selma 16262 IH 35 North Selma, TX 78154 (210) 718-0055 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Waco 4980 S Loop 340 Robinson, TX 76706-4640 (254) 754-2700 1 Open Road Mobility Amarillo 6669 Canyon Drive Amarillo, TX 79110 (806) 353-2747 1 Open Road Mobility Lubbock 7411 82nd Street Lubbock, TX 79424 (806) 771-5873 1, 2, 3, 4 Texas Mobility Services, LLC dba Texas Adaptive Aids 701 Bearcat Road Unit B Aledo, TX 76087 (817) 394-3914 1, 3 United Access - Arlington 2430 E Randol Mill Rd Arlington, TX 76011-6335 (817) 402-0069 1, 3 United Access - Bryan 2214 N Earl Rudder Freeway Bryan, TX 77808 (979) 307-7676 1, 3 United Access - El Paso 8736 Gateway East Blvd Suite B El Paso, TX 79907 (915) 585-0775 1 United Access - Houston 6836 N Sam Houston Pkwy W Houston, TX 77064 (713) 874-9100 1, 2, 3

United Access - McAllen 120 North 20th Street McAllen, TX 78501 (956) 971-0001 1 United Access - Pasadena 3430 E Sam Houston Pkwy S Pasadena, TX 77505 (281) 487-1969 1, 2, 3 United Access - Pflugerville 15301 Interstate 35 Ste A Pflugerville, TX 78660 (512) 436-0820 1, 3 United Access - Rowlett 2704 Lawing Ln 300 Rowlett, TX 75088 (877) 501-8267 1, 2, 3

____________________________

VERMONT MobilityWorks - Essex Junction 5C David Drive Essex Junction, VT 05452 (802) 878-8640 1, 3

____________________________

VIRGINIA Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence d/b/a DRCE Mobility Solutions 14101 Parke Long Court Suite E Chantilly, VA 20151 (703) 345-2990 1, 3 Independent Lifestyles 4880 South Amherst Hwy Madison Heights, VA 24572 (434) 846-7510 1 MITS of VA 2075 W Main Street Waynesboro, VA 22980 (540) 932-7300 1 Mobility Plus Inc of Virginia 763 Union Street Salem, VA 24153 (540) 389-3400 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Alexandria 5751 General Washington Drive Alexandria, VA 22312 (571) 421-2647 1

Jan-Mar 2023

15

NMEDA DEALER MEMBERS MobilityWorks - Norfolk 6059 Virginia Beach Blvd Norfolk, VA 23502 (757) 455-9889 1, 3 MobilityWorks - North Chesterfield 7450 Midlothian Turnpike North Chesterfield, VA 23225 (804) 220-0611 1, 3 Priority Honda Hampton dba Priority Mobility 4115 W Mercury Blvd.

Hampton, VA 23666 (757) 838-1252 1 ____________________________

WASHINGTON Ability Center - Everett 7202 Evergreen Way Everett, WA 98203 (425) 353-6563 1, 3 Ability Center - Redmond 14640 NE 91st Street Suite A Redmond, WA 98052 (425) 406-8484 1 Ability Center - Sumner 6015 160th Avenue East Sumner, WA 98390 (253) 863-4744 1, 2, 3 Absolute Mobility Center 21704 87th Ave SE Woodinville, WA 98072 (425) 481-6546 1, 3 Goldenwest Mobility 1815 E Francis Ave Spokane, WA 99208 (509) 484-3842 1, 3

____________________________

16

WEST VIRGINIA Total Mobility Services Inc Hurricane 146 Stricklin Rd Hurricane, WV 25526-6734 (304) 727-9478 1, 3 ____________________________

WISCONSIN A & J Mobility - De Pere 1330 Mid Valley Drive De Pere, WI 54115 (920) 632-4882 1, 3 A & J Mobility - Eau Claire 2650 Prospect Drive Eau Claire, WI 54703 (715) 874-6630 1, 3 A & J Mobility - McFarland 4125 Terminal Drive McFarland, WI 53558 (608) 579-1500 1, 3 A & J Mobility - Richfield 3058 Helsan Drive Richfield, WI 53076 (800) 517-1024 1, 3 A & J Mobility - Valders 333 Washington Street Valders, WI 54245 (920) 775-9333 1, 2, 3 MobilityWorks - Eau Claire 3115 Oak Knoll Dr Eau Claire, WI 54701-8485 (715) 495-1310 1, 3 MobilityWorks - Green Bay 844 Ontario Road Green Bay, WI 54311 (920) 491-8384 1, 3

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

MobilityWorks - Sun Prairie 222 Linnerud Drive Sun Prairie, WI 53590 (608) 395-2350 1 MobilityWorks - Waukesha N8 W22195 Johnson Drive Ste 130 Waukesha, WI 53186 (888) 473-5402 1, 3 ______________________

1 = Mobility Equipment Installer 2 = Structural Vehicle Modifier 3 = High Tech Driving Systems Installer

CANADA

____________________________

ALBERTA ECO Medical - Edmonton 18303 107 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5S 1K4 (780) 483-6232 1, 3 Silver Cross Automotive Inc. - Calgary 4216 54 Avenue SE Unit 60 Calgary, AB T2C 2E3 (403) 243-6300 1, 3

____________________________

BRITISH COLUMBIA Alliance Mobility Solutions - Kelowna 1075 McCurdy Road Kelowna, BC V1X 2P9 (236) 420-1400 1, 3 Alliance Mobility Solutions - Richmond 12211 Vulcan Way #110 Richmond, BC V6V 1J7 (604) 370-7004 1, 3 Island Mobility - Victoria 750 Enterprise Crescent Victoria, BC V8Z 6R4 (855) 593-0959 1, 3

ONTARIO

QUEBEC

Conval-Aid/Liftability 2600 Lancaster Road Ottawa, ON K1B 4Z4 (613) 738-2721 1

Adaptation 04 Inc 3025 rue Girard Trois-Rivières, QC G8Z 2M4 (819) 372-0102 1, 3

Courtland Mobility 1355 Artisans Court Unit B Burlington, ON L7L 5Y2 (800) 354-8138 1, 2, 3

Centre d Autonomie 399 Ave De La Friche Dolbeau Mistassini, QC G8L 2T3 (418) 276-8336 1, 3

Goldline Mobility & Conversions 762 Industrial Road London, ON N5V 3N7 (519) 453-0480 1, 2, 3

Centre de L’auto St-Lambert 145 Damase Breton St-Lambert de Lauzon, QC G0S 2W0 (866) 641-0419 1, 3

Northend Mobility 301 Aqueduct Street Welland, ON L3C 1C9 (905) 735-5552 1, 2 Silver Cross Automotive Inc. London 2028 Dundas Street London, ON N5V 1R2 (844) 799-5464 1 Silver Cross Automotive Inc. Ottawa 5300 Canotek Road Unit 42 Ottawa, ON K1J 1A4 (613) 290-5279 1

Medichair Northern BC 849 2nd Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3A6 (250) 562-8280 1

Silver Cross Automotive Inc. Toronto 14 Goodmark Place Etobicoke, ON M9W 6R1 (844) 799-5464 1

Sidewinder Conversions & Mobility Ltd. 44658 Yale Road West Chilliwack, BC V2R 0G5 (604) 792-2082 1, 2, 3

Silver Cross Automotive Inc. Waterloo 675A Davenport Road Waterloo, ON N2V 2E2 (844) 799-5464 1, 2, 3

Silver Cross Automotive Inc. - Maple Ridge 11393 Kingston St. Unit 4 Maple Ridge, BC V2X 0Y7 (877) 215-7609 1

____________________________

Eureka Solutions - Levis 107-829 J-Ambroise Craig Levis, QC G7A 2N2 (866) 562-2555 1 Eureka Solutions - Longueuil 2755 Montee St Hubert Longueuil, QC J3Y 4H6 (866) 562-2555 1, 3 Eureka Solutions - Sherbrooke 5018 Industrial Blvd Sherbrooke, QC J1R 0P4 (866) 562-2555 1, 3 SMVR 2 Visions Inc 414 Blvd St Germain Ouest Rimouski, QC G5L 3N4 (418) 723-9225 1, 3 TVR Technologies Inc. 20 Rue des Metiers Lavaltrie, QC J5T 0H4 (888) 919-2555 1, 3 Van Action 2005 Inc 4350 Autoroute 13 Laval, QC H7R 6E9 (800) 668-8705 1, 2, 3

____________________________

Jan-Mar 2023

17

CEO’S MESSAGE

So, Who’s Next?

By Danny Langfield NMEDA CEO

N

And that starts with our committees.

ormally my columns don’t

So my question is: Who will be the

have any prerequisites; one

next Sam Cook?

can dive immediately into

I’m not trying to put Sam out to

way for a person to start to have

pasture just yet, of course. I’m certain

his or her voice heard on industry

he will still be around, willing to lend

matters. Our committees are the

a hand to his association just as he

breeding ground for the future

always has. But who’s next? Who will

leaders of NMEDA. They are where

be the next volunteers to lean hard

our association’s lofty goals meet the

into the role of real leadership and

ground-level practicality of strategic

impact the next 20 years of NMEDA

implementation. Put a simpler way:

[insert sounds of foot-tapping,

the way Sam has the last 20?

the goals articulated in NMEDA’s

exasperated sighs, watch-checking,

Many unbelievably influential and

three-year strategic plan are largely

the finely crafted prose and absorb the attendant wisdom instantly. But for this piece, I have a request before proceeding: please have a look at the Officer’s Message penned by outgoing NMEDA Vice President Sam Cook found on pg. 8. I’ll wait.

etc…]

“

charismatic individuals have stepped

Interesting, eh? Sam Cook is stepping down from the Board after many, many years of dedicated service. And how about that part where he talked about serving on the Board under TWO President Quandts, father and son (or as John might phrase it, the Greater & the Lesser)? Almost like LeBron James looking to stay in the

Serving on a committee is the ideal

aspirational; our committees work

Our committees are the breeding ground for the future leaders of NMEDA. They are where our association’s lofty goals meet the ground-level practicality of strategic implementation. ”

NBA long enough to play ball with his

with staff to ensure the goals are

kid…anyway, bear with me—I am going

down from their prominent leadership

somewhere with this.

roles with NMEDA during my six-

actually achieved, in the real world.

plus years here. Tim Barone, Richard

NMEDA is fortunate to have a really

May, Nick Gutwein, Bill Koeblitz, Jud

good staff. Like, really good (not that

DeMott, just to name a few…and now

I am biased). But I have worked for

Sam. Folks, those kind of leaders don’t

associations for going on 20 years,

grow on trees. It is incumbent upon

and I can tell you this for a fact: no

all of us to find that next generation

staff, no matter how talented and

of talent, those folks who will lead

hardworking they are, can do it by

NMEDA and the auto mobility industry

themselves. We are knowledgeable

into the coming decades, and to GET

about the industry we represent, but

THEM INVOLVED.

that is very different from actually

Did you notice how Sam, at the end of his article, challenged folks to get involved with NMEDA? His timing was perfect, as we are even now soliciting volunteers for our 2023 committees, which will be holding their first meetings of the new committee season starting in April.

18

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

working in the industry itself. Make

staff is working seamlessly with

NMEDA needs you! Heed Sam’s

no mistake, NMEDA staff is in the

volunteer leaders to craft solutions,

counsel and please, get involved.

association business, not the auto

programs, events, policies—you name

mobility business. And, as stated

it—that meet the real-world needs of

(see pg. 43 to sign up for a

above, they are good. But they (we,

the membership.

us?) need input from the real world— and that is exactly what committee members provide. When an association is hitting on all cylinders,

Ok—time to climb down off this soapbox. Hope I have not belabored

committee, or visit www.nmeda.org/joincommittee).

---

the point. But I’ll close with this:

MEMBER BULLETIN

FTC Deadline Extension Though we have shared information on this topic a few times, both here in the Circuit Breaker and in our e-newsletter, the Short Circuit, it’s an important one—so we wanted to get this in front of you once again!

The Federal Trade Commission announced it is extending by six months the deadline for companies to comply with some of the changes the agency implemented to strengthen the data security safeguards financial institutions must put in place to protect their customers’ personal information. The deadline for complying with some of the updated requirements of the Safeguards Rule is now June 9, 2023.

The Safeguards Rule requires non-banking financial institutions, such as mortgage brokers, motor vehicle dealers, and payday lenders, to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive security program to keep their customers’ information safe.

If you need assistance complying with this new rule, check out the free toolkit offered by the Texas Independent Automobile Dealers Association available at www.TXIADA.org/safeguards-toolkit.

Jan-Mar 2023

19

IN MEMORIAM NMEDA is saddened to share the recent passing of some longtime members and pillars of the auto mobility industry.

KEITH HOWELL | HOWELL VENTURES Friend, colleague, and NMEDA Hall of Fame member Keith Howell passed away in November 2022.

A long-time member of the association, Keith was the founder of Howell Ventures, best known for their Sure Grip Hand Controls.

His passion for exploring and independence led to the development of numerous driving control innovations. This coupled with his generous philanthropic efforts to support individuals with disabilities earned him induction into the 2019 class of NMEDA Hall of Fame inductees.

NMEDA, and the industry as a whole, will sincerely miss this pioneer of the mobility industry.

RODNEY WILSON | R&R MOBILITY VANS & LIFTS Rodney Wilson, owner of R & R Mobility Van & Lifts Inc. passed away in early January 2023.

A NMEDA member since 1992, Rodney’s dedication to safety and quality exemplifies the mission of the association. Our thoughts are with the Wilson family, R & R Mobility, and the auto mobility industry as a whole.

Get Social with NMEDA

20

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Since February 1, 2022, QAP Rules have required all jobs to be submitted via either QAPx or Docutrack. In 2023, locations that fail to comply will be suspended.

Don’t let this happen at your store! Got questions, or need a little help? Contact NMEDA at 813.264.2697 or qap@nmeda.org andJan-Mar we’ll be glad2023 to assist. 21

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS REPORT

For the Win! The Inside Story of How the Auto Act Became Law

M

By Amy Schoppman DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & PUBLIC POLICY

y family’s winter holiday

would loudly announce to nobody in

three days before Christmas, I realized

traditions involve cranberry

particular that I was headed to “the

that my long hours at The Turlington

champagne cocktails, a

office” (my bedroom) and was not to

Company could prove useful in

Lifetimeand/orHallmarkmoviemarathon,

be disturbed. After applying a well-

summarizing our legislative victory.

and an inevitable gathering around the

worn set of Lee Press-On Nails that

After contemplating my approach

fireplace during which my entire family

I’d swiped from my mom’s vanity

to this cover story over the holidays,

roasts me for my (admittedly somewhat

table, I would click my cherry red

I drew upon my early reporting

peculiar) childhood behavior. One year

fingernails on my desk as I reviewed

experience, dusted off some acrylic

we reflected on my second-grade

accounts payable (the mail), finalized

nails, and composed this (slightly

insistence on wearing Amish attire

contracts (did my homework), and

modified) 5W1H summary to convey

following a fieldtrip to Pennsylvania

composed Post-It Notes reminding

the history, context, and impact of this

Dutch Country. Another year we read

my administrative assistant (little

significant new law.

my childhood diary, discovering that

sister) to please stop eating the food

my New Year’s resolution was to “get

I put in the breakroom refrigerator.

revenge.” Our most recent walk down

I would also produce weekly

Memory Lane involved recollections

Trapper Keeper-bound reports on

of The Turlington Company, a fictional

The Turlington Company’s various

business enterprise that operated

projects, using my recently-acquired

under my direction as Founder & CEO.

knowledge of 5W1H—Who, What,

Upon arriving home from school, I

Where, When, Why (and sometimes How)—to summarize the company’s activities for its stakeholders (my G.I. Joe and Barbie Doll collection).

When Congress passed The Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act of 2022

22

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Not actually young Amy.

WHAT happened?

We’ll begin with the end: on January 5, 2023, President Biden signed The Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act into law. Several auto mobility industry-related provisions were incorporated into this bill, specifically: Authorization for VA to provide an additional auto grant to eligible veterans if 30 years have passed since they received their first auto grant (and in 2033, that timeframe decreases to 10 years). In other words, the VA auto grant is no longer a oncein-a-lifetime benefit.

A requirement that VA’s definition of “medical services” be updated to include certain vehicle

WHO contributed to the effort?

modifications (specifically “van

easy one. Another contributing factor

lifts, raised doors, raised roofs,

was the wonderfully uncomplicated

air conditioning, and wheelchair

nature of our fundamental position:

NMEDA provided essential industry

tiedowns for passenger use”)

the average useful lifespan of a new

data, editorial review of legislative

offered through the AAE

motor vehicle is approximately 11

language and Congressional

program. The agency has not

years, and the frequency of the auto

testimony, and support educating

been statutorily required to

grant should keep pace with the

members of Congress during the

provide such services, and the

practical reality of vehicle ownership

cosponsor recruitment phase, but

intent here was to protect and

and maintenance.

PVA was the indisputable—and

codify VA AAE benefits for non-

A final—and central—factor motivating

indefatigable—leader of this initiative,

service-connected veterans.

this initiative was reports from both

The designation of nonarticulating trailers designed to transport powered wheelchairs, powered scooters, or other similar mobility devices as “adaptive equipment,” which will allow VA to officially permit the purchase and installation of such products (including Bruno’s Chariot).

The bill’s passage was the culmination of a multi-year effort that included an education and awareness campaign, several hearings, and careful navigation of the frequently fickle legislative process. We’ll get into those details shortly.

WHY was NMEDA involved?

Conversations with Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) regarding the auto grant and nonservice connected provisions above have been occurring for years. In addition to the obvious alignment with NMEDA’s mission to increase transportation opportunities for people with disabilities, I welcomed the chance to again partner with PVA on a post-Veterans Mobility Safety Act (VMSA) legislative effort. Their influence on Capitol Hill, coupled with their highly capable staff and what we viewed as a favorable political climate, made the decision to collaborate an

“

NMEDA members shared with me instances of veterans continuing to use vehicles that were unsafe, unreliable, or that no longer met their functional needs because they were unable to independently finance a replacement.”

organizations’ members. NMEDA

which was originally considered

members shared with me instances

during a February 2020 House

of veterans continuing to use vehicles

hearing just before COVID sidelined

that were unsafe, unreliable, or

an overwhelming majority of planned

that no longer met their functional

Congressional business. Undeterred,

needs because they were unable to

the proposal was reintroduced at the

independently finance a replacement.

start of the 117th Congress in 2021.

Morgan Brown, PVA’s National

Longtime NMEDA member Bruno

Legislative Director who spearheaded

Independent Living Aids also

this effort, received similar reports.

launched a separate initiative to

“Surveys indicated that what our

secure classification of their Chariot

members really needed was help

product as “automobile adaptive

buying a vehicle. One veteran,

equipment.” At the time, that product

who was driving a 42 year old van

was classified as a “trailer”—which

with half a million miles on it, was

VA is not technically authorized

repeatedly paying out of pocket for

to purchase for veteran use—and

inevitable repairs and maintenance.

Bruno’s position was that VA’s

A considerable number of others

misclassification of the Chariot

reported driving old vehicles with

was limiting veterans’ options for

significant wear and tear because

transporting heavier powered mobility

they couldn’t afford to make a down

devices. Chuck Beno, Bruno’s Director

payment on a replacement. This

of Sales, had been meeting with VA

feedback made us want to engage

for years, explaining that the Chariot

Congress right away.”

was technically a “lift” and could fill

Jan-Mar 2023

23

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS REPORT

(continued)

a void in the market, particularly for

(AUTO) for Veterans Act occurred

expected was one Veteran Service

veterans driving smaller SUVs, sedans,

relatively quickly (3,304 ) given

Organization’s full-throated objection

and other vehicles with lower hitch

that it had already been written,

to the mini auto grant provision based

tongue weight ratings. “Eventually the

sponsored, and introduced during the

on their position that the auto grant

Secretary told us we would need to

previous session of Congress.

was established to assist service-

go the legislative route to get it done.

We knew that approach would be a tough path, but we decided to go for it,” Beno recalls.

th

Committee Referral Fantasy: Once introduced, a bill is referred to a Committee (in AUTO’s case, the House and Senate VA

disabled veterans and any expansion of eligibility beyond that cohort would drive up costs and cannibalize the program. AUTO would’ve died in Committee if we hadn’t dropped the mini auto grant provision, which we reluctantly did.

A Bill

Legislative Purgatory

Begin

End

Fantasy: This phase never occurs.

Reality: This phase almost always occurs. Unless your bill is addressing a matter of urgent national concern (the

It’s a Law! HOW did the process unfold?

Families First Coronavirus Response Act went from bill to law in seven

Committees) for review and potential

days), or is a real crowd pleaser (the

revision. If you’re lucky, your bill gets

Do-Not-Call Implementation Act to

This may be best communicated by

a hearing, is minimally revised, and is

protect consumers from unwanted

detailing how the process is supposed

eventually sent to the full chamber for

telemarketing went from bill to law

to unfold vs. how it actually unfolded.

a vote.

in six weeks), it will likely languish in

Reality: AUTO was introduced

this intermediate state. This is also

with the expectation that it would

where you’ll typically encounter the

get a hearing—the groundwork

Congressional Grim Reaper, aka the

had been laid with the House VA

Congressional Budget Office (CBO),

Committee’s Chairman, Ranking

which “scores” bills based on their

Member, and Committee staff—and

economic and budgetary impact. A

that’s exactly what happened in

bill’s score (generally the lower the

April 2021. AUTO’s initial legislative

better) is a huge factor in its ultimate

language was ambitious: we were

success and, with an initial CBO score

pursuing (1) the increased frequency

of several billion dollars, AUTO’s

(every 10 years) of the Auto Grant

primary purgatory-phase challenge

for service-connected veterans,

was to demonstrate that, while costly,

(2) the establishment of a “mini”

the proposal was necessary. After

auto grant (25% of the traditional

examining the analysis used to arrive

grant, or $5,372.07) for non-service

at the initial score, it was discovered

connected veterans, and (3) the

that CBO hadn’t taken ALS veterans

definitional update of “Medical

[who will likely not pursue subsequent

Services.” During the hearing, the

Auto Grants] into consideration.

ranking Republican mentioned his

Recalculations were made, auto grant

budgetary concerns (code for “this

eligibility timeframes were adjusted,

proposal is expensive”), but that

and negotiators eventually reached

acknowledgement was expected. Less

an acceptable score by adding the “if

Introduction Fantasy: An idea is proposed, a bill is written, sponsors (at least one in the House and one in the Senate) are secured, the bill is filed by being placed into something literally called “the hopper” (a special box on the side of the Clerk’s desk) and, once the bill is assigned a number, it is considered “introduced.”

Reality: Bills are introduced all the time—17,812 times in this last Congress, to be precise—and address all manner of issues. The Horse Transportation Safety Act? Check.

The Baby Switching Prevention Act? Real. The Murder Hornet Eradiation Act? That happened. Point being, this is typically the “easy” part, and introduction of the Advancing Uniform Transportation Opportunities

24

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

30 years have passed…” language. An

of other organizations and interests

and VA contacts to facilitate timely

unfavorable initial budgetary forecast

are jockeying for their own inclusion.

implementation.

represents a real danger, but AUTO

Fortunately, our preparation paid

ultimately dodged CBO’s scythe and

off—lawmakers had been educated

lived to see another day.

on the proposal, they understood its

Votes Fantasy: Your bill, which has not been consolidated with any other bills or modified with any outside legislative language, is passed by simple majority vote. The other chamber quickly follows suit.

Reality: Congress has this super annoying tendency to make lastminute deals, and AUTO was no exception. With the anticipated lateDecember voting frenzy approaching, a decision was made to insert AUTO’s language into the Student Veteran Emergency Relief Act, which was expected to pass both chambers. This was also the legislative vehicle chosen

by Bruno’s team, who worked with Senator Susan Collins to insert the “nonarticulating trailer” language. It is challenging to satisfy all stakeholders when consolidating proposals, especially under time constraints, but it is exceptionally challenging to secure inclusion in a viable legislative vehicle when hundreds

“

purpose and importance, their fiscal

WHERE can I find the latest information?

NMEDA’s communications channels—

The bottom line is: NMEDA isn’t playing pretend on Capitol Hill, our partnerships are not make-believe, and our legislative advocacy results are 100% more real than The Turlington Company.”

concerns had been mollified, and they were ultimately not willing to exclude provisions directly benefiting both service- and non-service connected veterans. In a less than 48-hour period in late December, the House and Senate both passed what had mutated into the Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act (which was one of only 347 of the aforementioned 17,812 bills to cross the finish line). “Things happen very quickly in end-of-Congress situations.

Usually it’s something bad, but that was not the case this time. To have this bill pass, and so quickly, is a Godsend,” said Brown. Amen!

WHEN will the changes go into effect?

the GR blog, this magazine, our weekly Short Circuit emails, and social media—will provide implementation updates, and readers should feel free to contact me directly with questions or comments. We will also keep members apprised of new legislative activity. My PVA counterparts and I have already discussed embracing our current momentum and pursuing an increase in the baseline amount of the auto grant or revisiting the notion of a non-service-connected auto grant.

And there you have it. While this was a bit more detailed than my childhood 5W1H summaries it was, in my defense, also the first time I prepared one for a sentient audience.

The bottom line is: NMEDA isn’t playing pretend on Capitol Hill,

Ideally, by the start of the

our partnerships are not make-

government’s next fiscal

believe, and our legislative advocacy

year (October 1, 2023). VA’s

results are 100% more real than The

Implementation Team met in mid-

Turlington Company. Happy New Year,

January and will need some time to

indeed.

update procedures, adjust forms,

---

and educate staff as this effort transitions from legislative fantasy to bureaucratic reality. The stakeholders mentioned in this article are also using their Congressional allies

Jan-Mar 2023

25

CANADA OFFICER’S MESSAGE

The Key to Progress is You

By Russ Newton, Sure Grip PRESIDENT, NMEDA CANADA

S

ome things come easier than

Another piece worth noting is

OK, here is where the rubber hits

others, and this particular

NMEDA’s renewed training/outreach

the road, more the genesis of the

piece has been the toughest

initiatives. People are meeting again

hours of a blank unpopulated screen.

ever. A truly “Captain Obvious”

and with that CAMS courses and

Thinking specifically about Canada,

moment would say that no matter

MSS events are alive once again.

there is honestly some potential big

how long you stare at a blank screen

This fall saw a couple of the biggest

wins for us in terms of causing some

and no matter how much you will that

ever CAMS events in the history

funders to make a decision for our

those incredibly relevant words would

of the Association. This past fall

“

association members both nationally

saw a couple of the largest CAMS

and provincially. The real problem

events on both sides of the border.

is that those same candidates were

Attendees, including influencers and

candidates last year at this time. Truth

funding sources, all benefited from

is, we have not moved the dial very

the industry relevant information.

much over the past year. Reasons

Nice work from Amy Lane, NMEDA’s

are many but primary is the simple

Director of Education, Training &

truth that the entire NMEDA Canada

Conference, the sponsors, and the

Board is comprised of volunteers.

hosts, leading to a strong turnout and

We all have full-time jobs, and in

successful events. Also worth noting,

most situations there is another core

is that the momentum appears to be

business with employees who we

continuing in both Canada and the

are accountable too, to ensure those

US for more NMEDA-specific training

business thrive.

events.

We have made some good progress

just pop up, all you have is a blank screen.

Of more relevance is when Katie, NMEDA’s Director of Communications and editor of this magazine, so politely reminds me that I am now several days past the final deadline and the screen is still blank, well necessity does become the mother of the written word.

There were so many obvious subjects worth noting, Danny’s resignation, for one. I was not really sure how I felt about that, happy for Danny if that was what Danny wanted—not so happy for the Association as a whole that has very much thrived and matured under his tutelage. Most notably during last spring’s strategic planning session and the way that session evolved as the primary tool that would drive the Association’s direction for the next period of time.

The process was brilliant, the resulting plan, bold and exciting.

26

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Our partner relations initiatives were strong. We made appearances at a number of relevant events as sponsors and delivered a powerful message on behalf of our dealer group.”

in a couple of areas. Our partner

relations initiatives were strong. We

into business development. As a

We need three or four of you to

made appearances at a number of

NMEDA Canada Dealer member, there

put your hand up and volunteer to

relevant events as sponsors and

are real revenue growth opportunities.

jump into a committee that will work

delivered a powerful message on

For example, by assisting in an

to increase revenue channels to

behalf of our dealer group. The CAMS

initiative directed at funders, you may

members by working towards making

event in Saskatchewan has opened

impact their decision to utilize NMEDA

those types of decisions happen.

the door to a vigorous conversation

members as sole source partners.

Folks like Amy Shoppman, NMEDA’s

with SGI about who we are and what we do, that conversation continues, in fact, next scheduled event with them is in a week.

When funders are engaged effectively, outcomes are positive: there are a significant number of States that mandate QAP; the Veterans Mobility

Director of Government Relations & Public Policy, stand at the ready to assist; she is so good at what she does. You can help me and the rest of your NMEDA Canada Board in

So, what we really need is some

Safety Act (VMSA) in the US is a

member participation. We just need

massive achievement. In every case

some folks to step up and allow us

that a decision was made, including

to populate a couple of committees.

the two examples above, there were

The request has been made before

member volunteers at the heart of

To get going, please contact myself

but with very little response….I get it

the initiative. NMEDA staffers are

(Russ.Newton@suregrip.com) or Dave

we are all busy, heavy on the all part.

experts in guiding and pointing these

Hubbard (dave.hubbard@nmeda.org).

But, and it is a big but, successful

volunteer efforts towards successful

businesses invest time and resources

outcomes.

---

creating a truly wonderful message a year from now by jumping in and making some good things happen.

FREE Online Training Course: Introduction to Automotive Mobility This 35-minute tutorial provides a brief overview of the automotive mobility sector for anyone who is new to this industry. It is a great on-boarding tool for new employees or a refresher training for both sales and technician personnel. Topics covered include: •

Overview of Automotive Mobility Industry

•

Medical Diagnoses and Recommending the Right Product

•

Funding Sources

www.NMEDA.org/IntroToAutoMobility Oct–Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2023

27 27

E T A D E

V A S

H T E

September 30–October 2 Kansas City, Missouri

2023 ANNUAL CONFERENCE KANSAS CITY, MO SEPT 30–OCT 2

www.NMEDAAnnualConference.com

2023

KANSAS CITY, MO SEPT 30-OCT 2

www.AutoMobilityExpo.com

Jan-Mar 2023

29

Mobility Way

By Mike Savicki — Afterburner Communications NMEDA CONSULTANT

Through the Years, Across the Miles Disabled veteran John Bollinger recalls his more than five decades behind the wheel

T

his story begins in the days

After growing up in Pittsburgh

C6,7 quadriplegic. He returned to the

of the Ford Torino, Chrysler

and graduating from Muskingum

States, was discharged from the Navy,

Newport, Chevy Citation,

University, John received his officer

sold his 1963 Austin Healy 3000, and

Chevy Celebrity, Buick LeSabre, and

commission in June 1969 and began

went to work for the VA where he sat

Cadillac Coupe DeVille. Remember

serving in the US Navy aboard LST

and worked in a cubicle for 16 years.

those cars? Driving one of those

1163, USS Waldo County, in Panama.

beasts was like cruising down the

His main job was to keep track of

“I was one of two people in

road as if your living room was on

Russian submarines in the Caribbean.

wheels.

He says it wasn’t a bad gig for a

recalls. “I consider those years to be

Actually, this story begins even

young officer.

my crippled years. I didn’t know many

earlier than that. Let’s turn back the

A short six months later, a spinal cord

clock way back to the 1960s. Meet John Bollinger, a young Navy Ensign.

injury sustained in a diving accident changed everything. John became a

wheelchairs in a building of more than two thousand,” John Bollinger

others in chairs, I didn’t know what I could do, and I felt like I wasn’t a part of things.”

His sports car?

“It was a wonderful car but after my injury I just couldn’t get my quad body into it so I had to say goodbye,” he says.

His fast car gone, John’s life moved to the high speed lane. After a meeting with longtime PVA Executive Director, Gordon Mansfield, John joined the organization in 1987, first as Associate Legislative Director then Director of National Advocacy and finally as Deputy Executive Director. For more than a decade, he oversaw all PVA research, communications, and sports.

30

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

The National Veterans Wheelchair

As far as steering devices, John

Games was in his wheelhouse. And his

has tried several different ones but

efforts helped catalyze the passing

still loves the original spinner knob

and implementation of the Americans

his brother bought for him at a

with Disabilities Act (ADA).

truckstop more than 50 years ago.

“What PVA gave me I could never give

Truckers call it a suicide knob. A

back,” he says. ”With PVA I was in the

little pine tar still keeps his sticky.

mainstream. Through the 1990s I was

In the spring of 2022, while driving

on airplanes twice a month, renting

his BraunAbility Sienna minivan,

cars in cities across the country. I saw

John was rear ended and his van

guys in chairs spending entire days

totaled. The accident, during the

“Driving is one of the most important

on Capitol Hill then coming back

height of COVID and supply line

aspects of living,” he says. “It never hit

to the office and putting in more

shortages, made finding a short-

me until it was gone. Having access

hours, commuting like everyone else,

term replacement all but impossible.

to a car is one of the most important

sometimes upwards of two hours

There were no rental vans available,

aspects of life for the disabled.”

each way depending on DC traffic. I

delays on building new vans were

had skin in the game. We all did.”

taking months, and finding public

For more than three decades, having

transportation was expensive and

Now fully retired, John Bollinger spends his time with his wife, Judy, their daughter, Lindsey (and her

a car was essential and John had two

limited.

main rules to guide his purchasing

“Being without a vehicle is

trips are important and visits to

choices. Two doors (the bigger the

devastating. You are at the mercy

Lindsey in San Francisco and John in

better) and a bench seat. Why? He

of others and in some places that

Austin are essential to their lifestyle,

would transfer in on the passenger

is difficult,“ John says. “It is almost

too.

side, slide across, fold up his chair, pull

criminal what taxi services charge for

it in either to the back or front seat,

an accessible vehicle regardless of

then go. And go he did.

where and how far you want to go.”

Remember the cars listed at the

It took three months for him to get a

totals more than 5,000 pages. I

beginning of the story? John drove

Chrysler Town and Country but the

wonder what other mobility stories

every one of them. He has stories for

14” dropped floor was not ideal. He

that journal contains. I wonder

every vehicle. The Cadillac? Actually,

then owned a Dodge Caravan for a

how listening to someone like John

John drove two different Coupe

while.

Bollinger sharing tips and suggestions

DeVille’s. Credit his son, John, for

“I grabbed it because there wasn’t

might enhance, advance, and make

much else available during COVID

the industry better for everyone.

and I was afraid I’d be stuck because

Across the miles and through the

As the new millennium arrived and

of the supply chain issues,” he says.

years, John Bollinger has lived it all.

bench seats disappeared, John‘s

“It is almost impossible to rent a van

physical needs changed, too. He

with hand controls and that needs to

transitioned to a power chair and with

change.“

it came a minivan. At first he would

He then purchased his current ride,

totaling the first one. John, the dad, had to buy a second.

transfer from the power chair to a swivel driver’s seat. Then, when that became too physically demanding, he installed an EZ Lock system with Featherlite hand controls to drive from the chair. Being active in both DC and Florida, his winter escape necessitated the transition.

a 2022 Honda Odyssey, through MobilityWorks, who now service it both in Naples and Alexandria.

When I asked John to share one thought or take away from his years behind the wheel, his message was simple and direct.

children), plus his son, John. Road

So, too, is his daily writing in the journal which he began in 1990. If you are counting, the journal now

---

GUEST FEATURE

What’d You Say? Lot Lingo 101

by Eric Baker WISCONSIN DEALER LAW {Editor's Note - this article Is being reprinted (with permission) from Defender Newsletter published by the National Association of Dealer Counsel (NADC), a professional association of which NMEDA's CEO Danny Langfield is a member.}

R

ecently, a newly-minted attorney was asking about the first dealership lawsuit I worked on. At the time I already had a fair amount of business litigation experience, and I recalled that one of the more difficult tasks in getting my feet under me was understanding what the heck some of the deponents were talking about—or for that matter,

what our own client’s employees were describing—when they launched into the barrage of industry lingo that is so common in motor vehicle retailing. Fast-forward 15-odd years (“odd” connoting an estimated number and as well as the experience), and I still now and then run across an industry term I don’t recall ever hearing.

Thankfully for our colleagues entering our ranks, several years ago NADC started offering the “Dealer 101” preconference seminar (thanks to Past President Steve Linzer for spearheading this very well-received primer), and we pulled together a list of “lot lingo” to give attendees. I recently proposed that we augment this list and post it in our dealercounsel.com document bank as a living document for members to access and also for members to offer their favorite lingo to expand the collection. So, below is our debut collection of “lot lingo” for your consideration.

Addendum: An additional sticker

plus whatever additional costs of

BDC: Business Development

posted near the Monroney Sticker

financing are included in the final deal.

Center; often a telemarketing dept.,

(see below), that may be used to give

AOR: Area of Responsibility (also

sometimes a third party.

called PMA – Primary Market Area);

BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle.

geographic region assigned by

Bird Dog: Referral fee, okay in some

notice of added dealer options or market pricing adjustments.

Adverse Action: The denial of

franchisor in measuring dealership

requested credit or credit terms,

performance.

which triggers a notice requirement.

Back End: Service, Parts, Collision

AI: Artificial intelligence; used in

Center; also may refer to profit from

vehicle systems and in development

aftermarket sales (see F & I and

of autonomous vehicles (AVs).

Voluntary Protection Products (VPP)).

Allocation: The number and mix of vehicles allocated to individual dealerships, or the formula by which number and mix of vehicles is determined.

APR: Annual Percentage Rate; the APR (disclosed on a RISC – Retail Installment Sales Contract) includes the interest rate charged by the lender

32

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

states but not others.

Blue Sky: Generally, in valuing a dealership, the value of good will and other intangibles, such as the customer list – valuation has become much more “scientific” in recent years.

Bookout: A detailed itemization of a vehicle’s specs and options used for determining the vehicle’s value. Used in connection with retail financing.

Bullpen or Bullpenning: Holding units in an area away from customeraccessible lots, because they cannot be marketed for sale due to lack of inspection, a recall, or some other quarantine-type issue.

Bushing: Increasing the cash price on the purchase contract or changing the financing terms to less favorable terms for the buyer after an agreement has been made.

Buyers’ Guide: Required by the FTC Used Car Rule; dealers must display specific forms on used cars, including information regarding warranties, if any; must be posted in Spanish if transaction is negotiated in Spanish.

Buy-Here-Pay-Here: A dealership that has in-house financing arrangements, usually catering to subprime customers that cannot be approved through a traditional lender.

Buy-Sell: Agreement for a dealer to sell a dealership to another party.

are followed by “Section 177” states,

Cream Puff: High quality used car. The

which are: Connecticut, Delaware,

opposite of a sled (see below). Also

Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,

referred to as a diamond or pedigree.

New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,

Credit Card Surcharges: Additional

Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia. Arizona adopted California’s standards in 2008, but the state repealed them in January 2012.

Cash Reporting: Transactions which involve more than $10,000 in cash (or cash equivalents) or suspicious transactions that appear to be

California Car: Vehicles meeting

structured to avoid this threshold

California’s stricter emissions

amount which must be reported

standards (various states follow

within 15 days to the IRS on FINCen

this instead of the federal rules; see

Form 8300 (Financial Crimes

CARB).

Enforcement Network).

Captive Finance Company or Lender:

Chase Car: A car that follows another

A lender owned by or affiliated with

car when delivering a car or truck to

an original equipment manufacturer

a customer or transporting a car to a

(“OEM”) and created for the purpose

service facility.

of making dealers’ and customers’

Choke and Croak: Credit disability

purchases of products more convenient, including floorplan and retail financing.

CARB: California Air Resources Board; sets the emissions standards for vehicles in California; these standards

and life insurance policies sold in the F&I office.

CNG: Compressed Natural Gas; gas (mostly methane) that is compressed to 1% its normal volume to be used as

charges levied upon a consumer who pays using a credit card instead of by check or cash. Check state law and any updates to federal law regarding the legality of such surcharges.

CRM: customer relationship management. Often a software database program for managing the dealership marketing and sales process with individual customers.

CSI: Customer Service Index; goes by various names and is used extensively by OEMs to gauge dealer performance in delivering quality service center customer experience.

Curb-stoning: A dealer posing as a private seller of a vehicle. Oftentimes the seller is an unlicensed dealer.

Deal Jacket: The packet or folder of documents involved in a vehicle sale.

Dealer Principal: Owner of a dealership; may be a single person designated in the Dealer Agreement where there are multiple owners.

an alternative (cleaner burning) fuel.

Jan-Mar 2023

33

Dealer Trade: A vehicle transferred

Fair Credit Reporting Act or

from one dealership to another

FCRA: Federal law that governs

dealership.

credit reporting practices. Requires

Demonstrator or Demo: Demonstrator

businesses to have explicit

vehicle for test drives, sometimes

permission or a permissible purpose

assigned to employees. Tax, liability,

to access a consumer’s credit report.

and sales disclosures issues may be

First Pencil: First offer written on

associated with these vehicles.

paper presented to a customer to

DMS: Dealer management system;

begin negotiations.

the specialized computer system

Flat Rate: Service technician pay by

that everything runs on, such as CDK,

the job, not by the hour, based on

DealerTrack, Auto/Mate, etc.

“book” rates.

DOC or Daily Operating Control: A

Floor Plan: The financing of dealer

tool that shows how much money is

inventory.

flowing into and out of the dealership

Front End: Sales, Business,

on a daily basis, generally looked at for each department and often generated by the DMS.

F&I, Clerical, Title Departments (showroom, offices, waiting area); also could refer to the gross profit

Doc Fee: Fee to charge to customers

made on the sale of a vehicle, not

on a sale for processing DMV work

including F&I/VPP.

or otherwise permitted by applicable

Front Line Ready: A vehicle that

state law. Also known as a Service Fee in some states.

Down Stroke: Down payment.

is inspected, tested, detailed, and ready for sale.

Gap Insurance: When a vehicle

Debt to Income or DTI: Financial

purchase is financed (through loans

calculation to determine the percent

or leases), there is usually a “gap”

of debt a buyer has compared to their

between the market value (which is

monthly income.

what insurance will reimburse) and

Equal Credit Opportunity Act or

the amount owing under the loan

ECOA: Federal law prohibiting discrimination in granting credit or credit terms. Requires dealers to provide Adverse Action Notices to consumers in certain circumstances.

EV: Electric vehicle; also referred to as BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle).

referred to as The Box or the Business Office.

34

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

the calculation can vary, but generally is the difference between the vehicle cost and its sale price.

Hazcom: Hazardous substance communication, such as labeling, SDS inventory, etc.

Hoopty: The single greatest term ever coined for a POS vehicle (see “Sled” below) involving an employee, family, or

The purchaser or lessee can protect

friend, usually making very little profit.

him or herself in the event of a loss

Hybrid: A vehicle with a gasoline

(fire, theft, collision) by purchasing Gap Insurance or a Gap Waiver. In most states, this is regulated in one way or another, and dealers need to whatever Gap product they sell.

warranty products. Also sometimes

Gross: Gross profit on a vehicle sale;

during the term of the loan or lease.

a dealership. Typically assists with

as credit insurance, GAP, or extended

salesperson.

House Deal: A vehicle transaction

be sure to explain the limitations of

voluntary protection products such

Green Pea: New, inexperienced

or lease contract at any given time

F&I: Finance and Insurance unit in customer financing and sale of

Hi, I’m New Here

General Manager or GM: Overall manager of the entire dealership operation. The dealership may also have a general sales manager, one or more sales managers, and a service manager.

engine that charges an electric batteryused for propulsion.

ITPP (Identity Theft Protection Plan): Required to protect consumers’ (and employees’) private information.

Juice: Interest paid by a consumer who finances a vehicle purchase.

LIFO/FIFO: Last In, First Out or First

OEM: Original equipment

Paper: Another term for a retail

In, First Out; choice of accounting

manufacturer (the auto manufacturer

installment sales contract, such as

method that can result in tax

or its contracted supplier)

used in the phrase “holding the

deferment or liability for dealerships.

OFAC (The Office of Foreign Asset

Locate: A vehicle that a customer is

Control); a department of the U.S.

Payment Packing: Unlawful, deceptive

interested in that needs to be located

Treasury that enforces economic and

practice of burying extra services and

in another dealer’s inventory and

trade sanctions against countries and

products in the payment to increase

acquired through a dealer trade.

identifies groups of individuals or

the cost, that the consumer may

Lockout/Tagout: Practices and

entities (SDNs, Specially Designated

not be aware of and hasn’t agreed

Nationals) involved in terrorism,

to purchase, or has been told these

narcotics and other disreputable

services or products were “free”

activities; dealerships must check

PDI: Pre-Delivery Inspection

procedures to safeguard employees from the unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment, or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities (putting a lock and name tag on equipment taken out of service

the list when transacting business and decline sales to such persons or entities. Civil Penalties range from $11,000 to $1 Million per violation;

for maintenance or repair).

criminal penalties are possible as well.

Mini: the smallest commission

Out of Trust: Failing to pay-off a floor-

paper.”

Plug-in Hybrid or PHEV: A hybrid that can also be recharged by plugging it into an electrical source, extending the range available on just electricity.

PMA: See AOR.

plan loan when a vehicle is sold from

Point: Each separate franchise store;

sale presented as a flat amount,

floor-planned inventory

e.g., a Ford point. Also a term used

sometimes called a flat.

Pack: The amount of marketing and

MLA: Military Lending Act.

overhead costs allocated to a vehicle

a salesperson can earn on a

MMR: Manheim Market Report

in calculating salesperson commission.

to refer to a single percent of interest rate (e.g., the interest rate was increased by two points).

For example, a vehicle is sold for

Power Booking: A discrepancy

Monroney Sticker: (Price Labeling

$2,500 gross profit; however, because

between the reported specifications

Law) Federally required window

it has a $500 pack, the salesperson’s

and options associated with a

sticker from automaker. Describes car,

commission is calculated on a profit

vehicle and the actual equipment on

origin, standard equipment, optional

of $2,000.

the vehicle resulting in the vehicle

equipment, MSRP, taxes, destination charge, EPA gas mileage estimates, and insurance rating.

PAGA: Private Attorney General Actions; Statutory authority allowing a lawsuit to be commenced by private

MSRP: An acronym for Manufacturer’s

individuals instead of a government

Suggested Retail Price.

agency.

NPPI (Non-public personal

being over-valued. Intentionally misrepresenting such specifications or options may result in liability for fraud on lender. If intentional, usually done in order to qualify a customer for financing.

information): Personal information that is protected by law.

Note: Another term for a retail installment sales contract, such as used in the phrase “holding the note.”

Negative Equity: Circumstance where a customer owes more on their vehicle than it is worth. Also referred to as under water or upside down.

Jan-Mar 2023

35

PPE: Personal protective equipment,

Rooftop: Each physical location of a

Soft Pull: An inquiry on a customer’s

such as goggles, gloves and

dealership group.

credit that does not impact their

respirators

Sales and Service Agreement or

credit score, as opposed to a “hard

Privacy Notice: A document that

SSA: A dealership sales and service

pull.”

reflects a dealer’s policies regarding

agreement with an OEM. Also

SPIFF: A bonus or other form of

sharing NPPI; model forms available at

commonly referred to as the dealer

remuneration given to salespeople for

www.federalreserve.gov

agreement.

promoting sales. Some associate this

RDR: Retail Delivery Registrations

SDS: Safety Data Sheet for

term as an acronym for Sales Program

hazardous chemicals. These are now

Incentive Funds.

standardized and used to be called

Spot Delivery or Spot: Immediate

MSDS. Dealerships must keep an

vehicle delivery prior to financing

inventory and all SDS for chemicals

approval, which can have compliance

used on site. Common area for OSHA

complications. States are clamping

violations and can affect handling of

down on this practice. See also Yo-yo

emergencies.

sales.

Service Contract: An agreement

SSI: Sales Service Index; goes

(contract) to perform maintenance

by various names and is used

or repair services; these are separate

extensively by OEMs to gauge dealer

Risk Based Pricing Rule: Federal law

and distinct from warranties. Each

performance in delivering quality

that requires certain disclosures to

term is regulated and should be used

vehicle purchasing experience to

consumers who are offered credit.

appropriately.

customers.

RMA: Relevant market area; generally,

Sled: Any vehicle which, through

Sticker: When used as a pricing term,

an exclusive territory in which a

attributes of age or condition, is less

means MSRP.

competing dealer of the same line-

than highly desirable. Other terms

make cannot be opened.

include beater, bucket, clam, clunker,

Stop Drive: Issued by NHTSA and/or

Reg M: FTC regulation involving leased vehicles that expands upon the Consumer Leasing Act (CLA).

Reg Z: FTC regulation involving the sale of vehicles that expands upon the Truth-In-Lending-Act (TILA).

RISC or RIC: Retail installment sales contract. Also referred to as a “note” or “paper.”

RO: Repair order used by the service department.

ROI: Acronym for return on investment.

crate, heap, jalopy, junker, and toad.

the manufacturer for a serious safety issue, indicating those models must

Smog Sticker: Often included on the

be grounded.

window sticker of a new car, giving

Stop Sell: Issued by the manufacturer

emissions information.

to its dealers for a recall issue that may or may not be a serious safety issue, in instances where a fix or parts may not be readily available. State law varies on reimbursement to dealer, as do OEM policies.

Straw Purchase or Lease: Borrower/ lessor is a different person than the intended user of vehicle, such as grandmother “buying” a vehicle, but her grandson is the sole intended user the car.

Subprime Loans: Higher interest rate loans for those with riskier credit/ lower scores who don’t qualify for normal rates

36

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Sweepstakes and Promotions: Sales programs that offer an opportunity for consumers to win something of value. Exercise care to avoid FTC prohibitions, gambling statutes, and “lottery” prohibitions. Some states require posting a bond in advance for these promotions.

TCPA: Telephone Consumer Protection Act; there is a federal version, and many states have similar laws.

TILA or Truth in Lending Act: Implemented by the Federal Reserve Board through Reg Z. TO: Turn over, often the process of a salesperson sending a reluctant customer to F&I or the Sales Manager.

Up: A potential customer who

Trunk Money: Factory to dealer

appears at the dealership without a

incentives that are not publicly

prior appointment.

advertised.

Upside Down: When the customer

TSR (Telephone Sales Rule) and

owes more than the value of their

Telemarketing Sales Act: Federal law regulating telemarketing and faxing ads. The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 regulates email marketing.

TT&L: Acronym for tax, title, and license.

Twenty Group: A general term for programs where groups of dealership leaders or managers are

current vehicle. If the negative equity is significant, they may be “buried” or “tanked” to the point where they can’t reasonably trade it in and finance another purchase.

Waiter: Customer waiting in dealership We-owe: The dealership owes something to the customer (floor

formed in order to meet, exchange

mats, hitch, touch up paint, dent fix).

ideas, identify best practices, and

Yo-yo Sales: Derogatory term used to

explore opportunities for improving

describe dealership sales practice of

dealership performance. Oftentimes

spot deliveries (or conditional sales)

the groups will have certain common

that are later unwound due to “credit

characteristics, such as market

denial” and result in higher interest

geography, population size, or

rate or otherwise more expensive

demographics.

deals when the consumer returns to

UDAP (Unfair and Deceptive Acts

the dealership (like a yo-yo).

and Practices): Laws enacted in in

ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle): Electric

many states that apply to consumer

or hydrogen-powered.

transactions and advertising; also called MINI-FTC Acts; sometimes referred to a PAGA (see above).

Eric Baker is a private-practice attorney operating Wisconsin Dealer Law in Madison, Wisconsin. Eric represents automobile and equipment dealers in franchise litigation, and a variety of business and consumer litigation, in administrative proceedings, state and federal courts, arbitrations, and appeals. Eric also advises clients in litigation avoidance, and state and federal regulatory compliance, and teaches compliance seminars for dealer groups. Eric also represents dealerships in buy/sell transactions and succession planning.

The terms listed above, and industry jargon, generally, should never be assumed to be monosemy (the property of having only one meaning). Lawyers are well trained in this concept, but it is good to remember that the definition of any term may depend on how an attorney, contracting parties, or a legislative body defined that term in an applicable contract, statute, or regulation.

---

Jan-Mar 2023

37

Each May, NMEDA champions the efforts to raise awareness for the auto mobility industry via National Mobility Awareness Month (NMAM).

As we gear up for this year’s celebration, we want to make sure you mark your calendars and carve out some space on your social media and networking plans to spread the word on NMAM this May! Stay tuned for our toolkit and more information.

www.MobilityAwarenessMonth.com

MEMBER NOTICE

2023 Board Election Results

T

hank you to all members who voted in the 2023 NMEDA Board Elections. In addition to the board elections, proposed changes to the bylaws were presented and all modifications were approved. Included in these modifications was the elimination of a required second in-

person board meeting annually and the addition of a new board member position for the Education/ Government/Non-Profit individual member type.

New board members will be installed at the March Board of Directors Meeting.

NMEDA Board of Directors Re-Elected: Secretary: Eric Mansfield, MobilityWorks Rep. at Large 1: Trevorr Jurgensen, MobilityWorks Allied Health Professional: Eva Richardville, Therapeutic Mobility Services, Inc.

Newly Elected: Vice President: Dan Walsh, Bussani Mobility Rep. at Large 2: Ron Mohr, Clock Mobility Component Manufacturer Rep.: Steve Dawson, Harmar Education/Government/Non-Profit Rep.: Michelle Szumski, TX Workforce Commission-Vocational Rehabilitation

Canadian Board of Directors Re-Elected: Director at Large: Shelley Pattenden, Silver Cross Automotive

Newly Elected: Vice President: Pierre Côté, Savaria Vehicle Group Secretary: Darin Ashby, Prairie Heart Mobility

Jan-Mar 2023

39

INDUSTRY ADVISOR

Converting Used Vehicles

By Harry Baergen – Autoregs Consulting NMEDA CRP COORDINATOR

Harry Baergen was previously the Regulation Enforcement Officer for Transport Canada. Currently, he acts as the Compliance Review Program (CRP) Coordinator for NMEDA. If you have any questions about the contents of this article, or about the NMEDA CRP, contact Harry Baergen at 778.888.2210.

I

n 2018, the Circuit Breaker

mandates that the company, as an

magazine carried an Industry

alterer, comply with all applicable

Advisor article explaining in

FMVSS, for vehicles prior to first retail

detail the distinct legal differences

sale and affix a certification label to

between converting a used vehicle

each vehicle. In the case of the used

and converting a new vehicle.

vehicle production the Motor Vehicle

NMEDA’s Compliance Review

Safety Act 49 U.S.C. section 30122

Program (CRP) is still receiving

prohibits the company, as a modifier,

questions about this issue, but more

from making inoperative a compliant

about used vehicle modifications.

safety standard previously equipped

Therefore, it may be time to reiterate

in the vehicle. These companies that

some of the information from the

alter new vehicles and also modify

2018 article, focusing more on the

used vehicles are allowed to utilize the

legal implications in modifying used

exemptions under 49 CFR Part 595.7,

vehicles.

subpart (c), for the used vehicles

Most NMEDA manufacturer (industry)

only. It is also important to note that

members that alter new vehicles also modify used vehicles, often

the used vehicles will NOT bear any compliance label or alterer label

“

affixed by the modifier, except a make

common practice and has been for

inoperative label if an exemption is

on the same assembly line. This is

A vehicle modified after first retail sale will NOT bear an alterer label or any federal certification label affixed by the modifier, except a make inoperative label if an exemption is utilized.”

40

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

some time now. These companies

used.

are both alterers of new vehicles and

To comply with the make inoperative

modifiers of used vehicles. In the case

prohibition for the used vehicle

of the new vehicle production the

production a company must have

National Traffic and Motor Vehicle

an assessment program to screen

Safety Act 49 U.S.C. section 30112,

low-mileage, used vehicles that are

relatively “like new,” so the used

Standards do NOT apply to used

about adding or subtracting weight

vehicle fleet is consistently the

vehicle modifiers.

in relation to the original equipment

same from one vehicle to the next and the same as the new vehicle production. This way, the used modified vehicles are considered to be in compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS)

“

Modifiers of used vehicles are only subject to that part of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act that prohibits a modifier of used vehicles from making inoperative a compliant safety standard previously equipped in a

because it is expected that they are covered under the umbrella of the test vehicles that were tested for the new vehicle production. This process may be considered “due diligence” for not making inoperative an OEM federal standard equipped on a used vehicle and the process provides more affordable adaptive vehicles for people with a disability. These previously titled vehicles CANNOT

Modifiers of used vehicles are also allowed to use exemptions listed under the previously mentioned make inoperative clause, for a number of other minor modifications.

The make inoperative clause in

Modifiers of used vehicles are NOT subject to any FMVSS and cannot certify to any FMVSS. In other words, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards do NOT apply to used vehicle modifiers.”

under the make inoperative clause,

manufacturer’s (OEM) tested weight.

the United States makes it legally impossible for a business to perform structural modifications on a used vehicle. This would include any modifications that interfere with federal standards and that require vehicle retesting – modifications such as lowered floors, relocation of fuel tanks, installation of seats and/or

vehicle. Therefore, a company that

transfer seat bases, etc. The reason

modifies only used vehicles can only

a used vehicle cannot be prototype

make minor modifications that will

tested to represent production is due

not affect federal standards, such

to the unknown inconsistency from

as installing a ramp or an FMVSS

one used vehicle to the next.

403 compliant lift in some vehicles,

A company who is performing

installing F/CMVSS 124 compliant hand controls or modifying seats and head restraints under the Part 595 exemptions. Even some of these additions would require some thought

structural modifications on used vehicles only and not altering new vehicles might still be able to claim due diligence by testing new vehicles

be certified. A vehicle modified after first retail sale will NOT bear an alterer label or any federal certification label affixed by the modifier, except a make inoperative label if an exemption is utilized.

However, NMEDA is recently encountering companies who, apparently, only modify used (preowned) vehicles and do not alter new vehicles at all. Modifiers of used vehicles are NOT manufacturers or alterers. Modifiers of used vehicles are NOT subject to any FMVSS and cannot certify to any FMVSS. In other words, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety

Jan-Mar 2023

41

INDUSTRY ADVISOR

(continued)

of the same model and establishing a

according to the kit manufacturer’s

with some exemptions for adaptive

strict, documented, screening criteria

instructions and with all the specified

modifications. Except in cases where

to make sure the used vehicles are like

parts, but as emphasized in this article

used vehicles can be documented

new and are consistently the same

the vehicle will not bear any kind of

to demonstrate their condition to

from one vehicle to the next. This

federal certification label affixed by

be like new and correspond with a

way the modifier could claim that the

the modifier.

new vehicle test program it is not

used vehicles are the same as the test vehicles and that they all fall under the umbrella of the tested vehicles.

Thus, the modifier would claim that the structural modification is not making inoperative federal standards.

Again, the used vehicles will NOT bear any kind of federal compliance label affixed by the modifier, except a make inoperative label if an exemption is used.

In summary, the federal motor

“

vehicle safety standards apply only

legally possible to perform structural modifications on a used vehicle in the United States. Without a stringent

The make inoperative clause in the United States makes it legally impossible for a business to perform structural modifications on a used vehicle.”

Another possible way to structurally

to new vehicles at the manufacturer/

modify a used vehicle might be by

alterer level prior to first retail sale.

installing a certified kit precisely

The FMVSS do NOT apply to used vehicles. The United States Motor Vehicle Safety Act prohibits modifiers (e.g., garages or repair shops) from making inoperative any FMVSS,

“like new” screening program, any testing to represent used vehicles would mostly be an exercise in futility.

For broader details about this subject see Circuit Breaker article “New vs Used” Oct-Dec 2018 / Volume 25 Issue 4, pg. 22.

---

42

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Industry Advisor from Oct-Dec 2018 Circuit Breaker

MEMBER NOTICE

Volunteer for a Committee Committees are essential to advancing the mission and goals of NMEDA. Participation on a committee gives you the opportunity to be a part of the force that drives the association forward.

We need your energy and industry knowledge to work with staff on the ongoing successful implementation of NMEDA’s three-year Strategic Plan.

If you would like to serve on a committee, please complete the information below (or visit www.NMEDA.org/ JoinCommittee) and return it to NMEDA by March 15, 2023. Committee service is open to all categories of membership. Committees meet via web meeting on quarterly basis. For practical purposes, the number of members on any given committee may be limited. We will do our best to accommodate your preference.

Listed below are the NMEDA Committees. Please mark the committee that interests you.

Any committee as needed

Quality Assurance Program

Bylaws

Manufacturers QAP

Conference

Mediation

Government Relations

Finance

Education & Training

Compliance Review Program

Guidelines Industry and Public Relations

Canadian Committees

Hall of Fame

Ad Hoc as Needed

NOTE: If the committee you have selected is full, will you serve on another committee? ____Yes ____No

Name ____________________________________________________________________ Business Name ____________________________________________________________ Email _____________________________________________________________________ Mobile Phone ( ____ ) _____________________

To volunteer, please visit www.nmeda.org/joincommittee or return this form to NMEDA by March 15, 2023.

Email: info@nmeda.org

Questions? 813.264.2697 Jan-Mar 2023

43

MEMBER BULLETIN

Welcome to the BOD: Steve Dawson

By Katie McDonald DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA

As you read on page 39, NMEDA recently announced the results of our 2023 Board Elections.

Among the newly elected officials is Steve Dawson. Steve is the CEO of Harmar and joins the board as our Component Manufacturer Representative. Get to know Steve below and keep an eye out in future Circuit Breaker magazines for a spotlight on our other new board members!

1. Tell us about your history in the auto mobility industry.

I joined Harmar as CEO in Dec 2016. I started my career in finance and have been in a variety of CFO roles before getting into manufacturing. I am sure this is a common view but I love that our industry makes a difference in people’s lives.

2. Why were you interested in joining the NMEDA BOD? With supply chain challenges, industry consolidation, and a shrinking number of businesses I think NMEDA’s voice serves an important purpose in these challenging times. I am looking forward to working with the team.

4. What are you looking forward to most in the next year/at the next NMEDA conference?

In addition to seeing friends and customers, I am always interested in learning about new technologies and trends.

5. Tell us something you like to do for fun/Last book you’ve read/Last movie you’ve seen….?

I will give you one of each. I like to collect coins, that is something I have enjoyed since I was a kid. I like business biographies “Where You Are is Not Who You Are: A Memior” by Ursula Burns (former CEO of Xerox) was interesting also Bob Iger’s (former and current Disney CEO) “The Ride

3. What do you view is the #1 benefit from being a NMEDA member?

of a Lifetime” was fun. And,

I believe the #1 benefit is access to

Sean was in it.

customers and industry professionals.

When you “join the club” you get exposed to the key people and businesses in our industry.

44

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

lastly, a plug for my son in “Father of the Bride 2022” with Andy Garcia. My son

6. Share about personal life?

Family/children, etc.?

Very proud father of 5 boys, married to my beautiful wife for 28 years. Kids are spread out in CA, CO, and FL.

7. Something else you want to share that we didn’t ask?

Big NBA fan, hoping the Miami Heat at least make it into the playoffs!

NMEDA

Advocating Automotive Mobility for Your Clients

Learn About Mobility Solutions and Earn CEU Credits for Free Advocating Automotive Mobility for your Clients: Driver Rehabilitation and Automotive Mobility Solutions (AAM) Course The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is offering an introductory level online course to provide allied healthcare professionals with an overview of a patient’s automotive mobility challenges, automotive mobility solutions, and the practitioner’s role in advocacy and referral. By learning about automotive vehicle modifications, healthcare professionals will be able to suggest options for caregivers or persons who want to drive or be transported, but need accommodations. Topics covered include learning about the importance of Automobility and Related Services, Driving as an Instrumental ADL, Diagnosis, Assessment, and five actual Client Case Studies.

Learning Objectives: • Recognize the importance of automotive mobility independence for persons with disabilities • Differentiate the role of key industry professionals and organizations involved in the automotive mobility industry • Identify the unique process involved in researching, evaluating, selecting, and purchasing automotive mobility solutions • Distinguish between different program models used in driving programs to best meet consumer needs • Explore a road map for assessment and advocacy in the mobility process

Sign Up Online At www.NMEDA.org/CEU

NMEDA’s AAM Course is: • Offered online, for your convenience • Brought to you by NMEDA and ADED, the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists • Targeted for: OT, OTA, PT, PTA, Case Managers, ATP, Students, and Other Health Professionals • Approved for AOTA* (.15 CEU) in the categories of Occupational Therapy Service Delivery and Professional Issues, ADED** and CCMC (1.5 Contact Hours), upon successful completion of post-test

FOR ALL ATTENDEES

Contact NMEDA at Learning@nmeda.org or 813.264.2697 for assistance or any special accommodations/needs requests. *NMEDA is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID#3268. This online course is offered at .15 CEUs, introductory, OT Service Delivery and Professional Issues. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA. .

Jan-Mar 2023

45

**ADED Approved Contact Hours. The assignment of ADED contact hours does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures

by ADED.

QAP STRAIGHT TALK

QAP Changes for 2023

by Chuck Hardy NMEDA DIRECTOR OF QUALITY & COMPLIANCE

W

ith 2022 in our rear-view

enough to live near and those like me

Probably the biggest change to the

mirror and 2023 here, I

who travel, I hope you were all able

QAP Rules has to do with the Dealer

thought I would share

to spend some quality time with your

QC manual. Prior to 2023, the Dealer

the fruits of the labor from the QAP

families over the holidays.

QC manual was a template that the

and Guidelines committees and the

So, what’s in store for 2023? Only

changes to the NMEDA Rules and Guidelines you will see for 2023. But first I hope you all had a wonderful holiday to close out the year. After moving from Rochester, NY to Tampa, FL in 2010, I have been going back north in mid-December each year to visit my family. It was nice to see both my parents and two sisters, as well as nieces and great nieces and several friends in the one week I was there. Yes, it was cold. REALLY cold, and I thought I was going to avoid the snow, but Rochester didn’t disappoint, and I did have to renew my ice road trucker skills as I slipped along the highways for a few days. And as much as I miss my family, I don’t miss driving in the snow! For those lucky

time will tell, but what I CAN tell you about is the changes for our Quality Assurance Program. As you all know, each year our standing committees for QAP Rules and Guidelines examine opportunities to improve our programs and keep an eye on other market forces that could impact any of our existing rules and guidelines.

And this year with QAPx rolling out, there was sure a lot on our plates, but overall, I think you will find there won’t be too much change to adapt to. All of the changes I am about to talk about are found in the 2023 release of the QAP Rules and Guidelines which can be found on the NMEDA website.

dealer made some simple updates to by adding their name and various employees to, then saving it, sending it into NMEDA for approval and then uploading to QAPx (or Docutrack, aka “DT”). Now with everyone using either QAPx or Docutrack, the committee thought that we could streamline the QC manual and make it easier for a dealer to make changes to their product and tools listing (appendices C & D) and the committee looked at the value in constantly updating the org chart (appendix A) and the facility layout (appendix B). What was decided was to simplify the QC manual and place it directly in QAPx (and DT), eliminate the need to complete the Org Chart and Facility Layout (more about that later) and separate the Product Listing and Tools Listing to make them easier to edit and upload into QAPx/DT. I know that’s a mouthful so let me go over it one more time and a little slower for you.

DEALER QC MANUAL CHANGES FOR 2023: •

Simplify the manual, make it ‘universal’ for all dealers, and place it directly in QAPx/DT.

•

46

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Make the Product Listing and

•

Calibrated Tools Listing separate

The reason we eliminated the

are sealed, they provide an alternative

documents that are uploaded into

Org Chart is because we have all

to the gel cell batteries. In this same

QAPx/DT.

the information we need in our

section the committee also updated

Eliminate the Organizational

association management system

the flammability (FMVSS 302)

(AMS) and QAPx/DT so there is no

requirement for the battery enclosure.

need to have you update that in

Here the guideline was updated to

your QC manual. And for the facility

include battery enclosures that meet

layout, the committee agreed that is

a more stringent US Coast Guard

not necessary as there is no longer a

specification USCG DHS 111.15.

Chart and Facility Layout appendices.

Here is the rationale for these changes. First off, the QC manual is used “as-is” by 99% of all dealers, so making it “universal” just seemed like the right thing to do. For anyone in the 1% that wants to continue to use

requirement for shop square footage.

That’s it for the QC manual changes!

The other updates for 2023 QAP

their own custom QC Manual, you

Rules document are as follows:

can still do that! It just needs to be

•

“

Other minor changes to the Guidelines are as follows: •

Accelerator (section 15B) to “low

Some minor wording changes

QAP 1-2-3-4 Training is now just called “QAP Training.” In fact, if you don’t know or haven’t taken the training in a while, do it.

The entire training module was re-done and modernized.”

Updated Electronic Left Foot tech”

•

Revised the make inoperative section 1 to include FMVSS 111 (Rear Visibility) and FMVSS 216 (Roof Crush Resistance) under the available make inoperative exemptions

•

Minor wording changes to After Sales Service section 4.5.1 to be consistent with the form

•

Removed appendix A (Out of

approved by NMEDA and uploaded

to the “Out of Area Service

into QAPx/DT.

Requirements” section to bring

Area Service Agreement) as this

For everyone else, you don’t have

consistency between the rules

requirement is already a part of

and the wording on the form.

the QAP Rules

to do anything other than create

QAP 1-2-3-4 Training is now just

In conclusion, a new year is upon us!

tools listing and upload these in the

called “QAP Training”. In fact, if

All of these changes are shown in

same place you have your insurance

you don’t know or haven’t taken

the 2023 version of the QAP Rules

certificates. That said, you have time,

the training in a while, do it. The

and Guidelines found on the website.

we will not require you to create these

entire training module was re-

If you have any questions, or know

separate documents until the first

done and modernized.

of anything that any one of our

the product listing and calibrated

time you have to make an update.

So, rather than ask everyone to do all that work now, you can wait until you need to make a change to the product listing or tools listing and

•

Now onto the Guidelines.

Probably the biggest change to the Guidelines was the “Battery Installations” section 6.5.

upload them as separate documents

What the committee realized is

at that time. We will continue to use

that the section did not provide

the product listing and tools listing

accommodation for the newer AGM

you have in your existing uploaded

(absorbed glass mat) batteries that

QC manual until you need to make a

are prevalent on the market. These

change.

AGM batteries are non-spillable and

committees should be addressing, please drop me a line.

I hope your 2023 is a good one and I am looking forward to seeing you at our next conference in Kansas City. I hear they got some good BBQ there and can’t wait to try it out. Until next time, keep on doing what you’re doing and moving life forward!

---

Jan-Mar 2023

47

QAP DASHBOARD

QAP DASHBOARD AVERAGE FINDINGS PER AUDIT JANUARY 2022–DECEMBER 2022

3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

TOP 5 AUDIT FINDINGS JANUARY 2022–DECEMBER 2022 QAP Contact Training Incomplete/Expired

84

QAPx/DocuTrack Forms Incomplete/Incorrect

63

NCT Missing/Expired

60

QC Manual Needs Update

57

Tool Calibration Missing/Not Uploaded

46

AUDIT FINDING SEVERITY JANUARY 2022–DECEMBER 2022 Successful Audit 2%

Major 19%

Opportunity for Improvement 45% Minor 34% 48

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

QAP DASHBOARD

QAP DASHBOARD TOTAL QAP DEALERS IN GOOD STANDING QUARTERLY: DECEMBER 2021–DECEMBER 2022 340 325

330

320

320

308

310

307

300

287

290 280 270 260

Dec-21

Mar-22

Jun-22

Sep-22

Dec-22

NEW QAP APPLICATIONS & ACCREDITATIONS QUARTERLY: DECEMBER 2021–DECEMBER 2022 Applications 6

5

5 4 3 2

Accreditations

4

4 3

3 2

2

2

2

1 0

0 Dec-21

Mar-22

Jun-22

Dealers with No Audit Findings Total Mobility Services – Boswell, PA Total Mobility Services – Hurricane, WV

Sep-22

Dec-22

Newly Accredited Dealers No new dealers were accredited in Q4 2022.

Jan-Mar 2023

49

NMEDA INDUSTRY MEMBERS INDUSTRY

____________________________

Accessible Vans of America, LLC. 334 Buckington Street St. Peters, MO 63376 (636) 294-1762

Driving Systems, Inc. 16139 Runnymede St. Van Nuys, CA 91406 (818) 782-6793

KEMPF 1245 Lakeside Dr. #3005 Sunnyvale, CA 94085 (408) 773-0219

Royale Mobility LLC 100 Newark Street Haverhill, MA 01832 (978) 374-4530

Adaptive Driving Alliance 111 Stow Avenue, Ste 103 Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 (330) 928-7401

Electronic Mobility Controls, LLC 26 Gabriel Dr. Augusta, ME 04330 (207) 512-8009

Sure Grip Hand Controls 4850 Route 102 Upper Kingsclear, NB E3E 1P8 (506) 363-5289

Adaptive Mobility Systems, Inc. 2072 N. Bibb Drive Tucker, GA 30084 (770) 674-0776

EZ Lock 2001 Wooddale Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225) 214-4620

Mahadev Metal Works & Fabrication Unit 124, 125 - 11071 Bridgeport Rd. Richmond, BC V6X 1T3 (604) 270-3317

Adapt-Solutions 145 Damase-Breton St-Lambert, QC G0S 2W0 (866) 641-0419

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles 1000 Chrysler Drive Auburn Hills, MI 48326 (800) 255-9877

AMF Bruns of America 1797 Georgetown Road Hudson, OH 44236 (877) 506-3770

Ford Motor Company 777 Woodward Avenue, Suite 500 Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 202-6342

Bever Mobility Products 2885 Sanford Ave SW 41693 Grandville, MI 49418 (888) 959-6198

Fortress Partners 5005 Plainfield Ave NE Suite 400 Grand Rapids, MI 49525 (616) 447-2293

Brandl Mobility Finance Services 559 Hwy 10 South St. Cloud, MN 56304 (866) 581-3922

General Motors Corporation 100 Renaissance Ctr., MC482-A20-B98 Detroit, MI 48265 (313) 667-8682

BraunAbility P.O. Box 310 Winamac, IN 46996 (800) 843-5438 Bruno Independent Living Aids 1780 Executive Drive Oconomowoc, WI 53066 (262) 953-5316 Creative Carriage Ltd. 6 Ridgeview Street St. George, ON N0E 1N0 (519) 740-4801 Crescent Industries 191 Washington St. Auburn, ME 04210 (207) 777-3500 DealerTeam.com, LLC 2195 Larkspur Ln #203 Redding, CA 96002 (530) 232-3260 Driverge Vehicle Innovations 4199 Kinross Lakes Parkway Suite 300 Richfield, OH 44286 (330) 510-3069

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Harmar Mobility 1500 Independence Blvd.

Ste 220 Sarasota, FL 34234 (800) 833-0478 High Level Enterprises, Inc. 28767 Holiday Place Elkhart, IN 46577 (574) 343-2150 In Motion Mobility LLC 2299 NW 108th Avenue Sweetwater, FL 33172 (786) 534-2046 Johnson Hand Controls LLC 3960 Locust Grove Rd Columbia, PA 17512 (717) 449-0089 Joysteer USA, Inc. 6624 Clay Avenue SW Grand Rapids, MI 49548 (832) 783-9751

NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Malley Industries, Inc. 1100 Aviation Avenue Dieppe, NB E1A 9A3 (506) 859-8591 Manufacturing Production Services Corp.

2222 W. Enterprise St. Escondido, CA 92029 (800) 243-4051 MGA Research Corporation 5000 Warren Road Burlington, WI 53105 (262) 763-2705 Mobility Credit Acceptance 1108 E Main St Suite 200 Richmond, VA 23219 (804) 505-4000 Mobility Innovations 51277 Celeste Dr. Shelby Twp, MI 48315 (586) 843-3816 Mobility Support Solutions 16212 Bothell Everett Highway Mill Creek, WA 98120 (877) 246-0979 PMG Technologies Inc. 100 Du Landais St. Blainville, QC J7C 5C9 (450) 430-7981 Pritchard Auto Group 1 Team Quest Way Clear Lake, IA 50428-2296 (352) 552-6674 PSA Insurance & Financial Services 11311 McCormick Rd. Hunt Valley, MD 21031 (443) 798-7495 Q’Straint/Sure-Lok 4031 NE 12th Terrace Oakland Park, FL 33334 (954) 986-6665

Tempe Mobility 7975 S. Autoplex Loop Tempe, AZ 85284 (480) 598-2383 TMN 58 Hachermesh St. Haifa, Israel 31000 073-2229222-200 Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc 6565 Headquarters Drive Plano, TX 75024 (469) 292-4649 Twining Consulting, Inc. 18071 Mount Washington St Unit A Fountain Valley, CA 927086118 (562) 272-7231 Vantage Mobility International 5202 S. 28th Place.

Phoenix, AZ 85040 (800) 348-8267

NMEDA ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

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ARIZONA Jennifer Nordine Driving to Independence LLC 1414 W. Broadway Rd #218 Tempe, AZ 85282 (480) 449-3331

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CALIFORNIA Sam Abbooushi Dynamic Repair Solutions 23615 El Toro Road X287 Lake Forest, CA 92630 Penny M. Anders Sharp Memorial Hospital Rehab 1641 Borana St. San Diego, CA 92111 (858) 565-2437 Lula Capuchino Capuchino Therapy Group 3601 Marconi Ave. Sacramento, CA 95821 (916) 481-1300 Melanie Henry Driver Cognitive Assessment Center, LLC 4450 Black Ave Suite D Pleasanton, CA 94566 (925) 249-5947 Gregory Paquin Gregory J. Paquin 5140 Florence Ave. Unit C Bell, CA 90201 (310) 337-1410 Stanton Toy Always Care Medical Supply Inc. 296 Highland Place San Pablo, CA 94806

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COLORADO Sarah Davidson Craig Hospital 3425 S. Clarkson St. Englewood, CO 80113 (303) 789-8117

Natalie Uyeno 3425 S Clarkson St Englewood, CO 80113-2811 (303) 789-8218

Carin Mitchell Mitchell Driving Solutions PO Box 705 New Carlisle, IN 46552

FLORIDA Stephen A. Emerson Stephen A. Emerson Inc. 1384 Wainwright Way Ft. Myers, FL 33919 (239) 633-0180

Eva Richardville Therapeutic Mobility Services, Inc. 311 Airport North Office Park Ft. Wayne, IN 46285 (260) 417-8399

GEORGIA

KENTUCKY

Dan Allison 142 Lynford Ln Woodstock, GA 30189

MaryFrances Gross On the Road, Again 4805 Hemlock Way Lexington, KY 40514 (619) 607-1142

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Eilif L. Olesen Eilif L. Olesen 636 Frigate Dr # 9201 Ellijay, GA 30540-6335 (727) 424-7485 Rajesh Pagadala Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency 3586 Riverside Drive Macon, GA 31210 (478) 751-6272

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ILLINOIS Anne Hegberg Strive for Independence 1919 S. Highland Avenue Bldg. C, Suite 119 Lombard, IL 60148 (630) 909-6080 Danielle Czajkowski Strive for Independence 1919 S. Highland Avenue Bldg. C, Suite 119 Lombard, IL 60148 (630) 909-6080 Nicole Thonn Strive for Independence 1919 S. Highland Avenue Bldg. C, Suite 119 Lombard, IL 60148 (630) 909-6080

Barry Doyle Craig Hospital 3425 S. Clarkson Street Englewood, CO 80113 (303) 789-8218

Darina Yakimec 2500 Archbury Ln APT 1K Park Ridge, IL 60068

Colleen Knoll Craig Hospital 3425 S. Clarkson Street Englewood, CO 80113 (303) 789-8218

Kathy Kachanoski Columbus Regional Hospital 1732 Timbercrest Dr. Columbus, IN 47203 (800) 841-4938

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INDIANA

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LOUISIANA Michael K Shipp MKS Consultants, LLC 1340 Mitcham Orchard Rd Ruston, LA 71270 (318) 245-7361

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MARYLAND Elin Davis American Occupational Therapy Association 6116 Executive Blvd Ste 200 North Bethesda, MD 20852 (800) 729-2682

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MASSACHUSETTS Eugene Blumkin Massachusetts Rehab Commission 600 Washington Street Boston, MA 02211 (617) 204-3721

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MICHIGAN C Kerry Jones The Space Between 26875 Church St. Edwardsburg, MI 49112 (269) 663-0226 Kelby Lloyd Special Driving Services, Inc. P.O. Box 241 Okemos, MI 48805 (517) 862-1717

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MISSISSIPPI Nikki Simmons Driving Independence 5225 Crawford Rd Hernando, MS 38632 (901) 734-7472

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NEW YORK Gail Babirad Rehabilitation Technology Assoc. Inc - GB PO Box 540 Kinderhook, NY 121060540 (800) 987-2753 Jurgen Babirad Rehabilitation Technology Associates, Inc. - JB PO Box 540 Kinderhook, NY 121060540 (800) 987-2753 John Lorenzetti, OTR/L, CDI, DRS FLX Driver Rehabilitation, LLC 4144 High Banks Rd. Geneva, NY 14456 (315) 585-9198 Andrew Streit Stevens Driving School 4060 Seneca St. West Seneca, NY 14224 Raanan Zidile Tri-Boro Driver Rehabilitation & Mobility Services, Inc. 1642 Coney Island Ave Brooklyn, NY 11230

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NORTH CAROLINA Cyndee Crompton Driver Rehabilitation Services PO Box 448 McLeansville, NC 27301 (336) 697-7841 Mike Edwards North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 5501 Executive Center Dr Suite 101 Charlotte, NC 28212 undefined Liz Soles ADED 200 1st Ave NW #505 Hickory, NC 28601 (866) 672-9466

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PENNSYLVANIA Brenda Bennett Transportation Solutions 4202 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509 (814) 833-2301

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51

NMEDA ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS Amy Lane Adaptive Driving Program/U of Pittsburgh 3600 Forbes St Pittsburgh, PA 15101 (412) 864-3068 Susie Touchinsky 225 Clark Drive Orwigsburg, PA 17961

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SOUTH CAROLINA Alan B. Simmerson CDRS WJBD VA Medical Center 3602 Deerfield Drive Columbia, SC 29204 (803) 776-4000

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TEXAS Chad Strowmatt Strowmatt Rehabilitation Services, Inc 11020 Katy Freeway Ste 217 Houston, TX 77043 (713) 722-0667

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CANADA ____________________________

ONTARIO Shah Baqar, OT, CDRS CBI Health Group 20 Linsmary Court Markham, ON L6E 1L2 (416) 419-3031

BRITISH COLUMBIA Larry Bowen Larry Bowen PO Box 78095 Northside F. Lortie RPO Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 4X5 F. Lortie 68 Bloomfield (604) 996-4893 London, ON N6G 1P3 (519) 495-9541 Dean Robertson Access Driver Rehab Tamalea Stone Specialists Ottawa Hospital 3405 W 31 Ave. 686 Vivera Pl Vancouver, BC V6S 1X6 Stittsville, ON K2S 2N1 (604) 263-5286 (705) 741-7660 Lars Taylor ____________________________ InSight Rehabilitation Services Inc. QUEBEC 3002 Coachwood Crescent Kristian Thivierge Coldstream, BC V1B 3Y4 Centre de Readaptation (250) 542-3087 Constance-Lethbridge ____________________________ 7005, Boulevard de Maisonneuve Quest NEW BRUNSWICK Montreal, QC H4B 1T3 Maura DuLong ____________________________ Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation 800 Priestman St. Fredericton, NB E3B 0C7 (506) 452-5876

SASKATCHEWAN Susanne Adamson, OT/ CDRS 88 Tibbits Road Regina, SK S4S 2Z1 (306) 766-5427 Suzanne Lendvoy SK Health Authority 2762 Francis St Regina, SK S4N 2R3 (306) 766-5968 ____________________________

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NMEDA EDU/GOV’T/NON-PROFIT MEMBERS

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Chelsea Hales The Master’s Driving School W7366 Flambeau Point Rd Ladysmith, WI 54848 (715) 532-0327

Eric Bradley Texas A&M Transportation Institute 3135 TAMU College Station, TX 77843 (979) 845-7492

Todd Keanan James A. Haley VA Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs.

Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33612 (813) 972-2000

Timothy Brant Brant’s Driving School 596 Goucher Street Johnstown, PA 15905 (877) 395-7011

James Kovar Texas A & M University 3135 TAMU College Station, TX 77843

EDU/GOV’T/NONPROFIT

Lance Bullard Texas Transportation Institute A&M Univ.

3135 TAMU College Station, TX 77843 (979) 845-6153

Julius Lee SMCL Foundation & Associates Inc. Adaptive & Multi-services Organization 2910 Seine Street New Orleans, LA 70114 (504) 450-4014

Marilyn Clark MobilityWorks Foundation 3863 Lander Road M2 Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

Justin Maxwell Texas A & M University 3135 TAMU College Station, TX 77843

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NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Torrey Morse Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services 55 Farmington Ave, 12th Fl Hartford, CT 06105 (860) 424-5543 Tina Paff Bicks Driving School 6367 Glenway Ave Cincinnati, OH 45211 (513) 251-2100 Daniel Reid Grove Transit 1721 Hardy Street Hattiesburg, MS 39401 (601) 544-5403 James Rose The John & Josephine Rose Living Network Foundation Inc 5541 E Grant Rd Tucson, AZ 85712 Jo’el Roth WA Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 9600 College Way N Seattle, WA 98103 (206) 431-9681

Gerhard Schmidt 2441 Emmons Rd Columbia Station, OH 44028 (206) 431-9681 Stephen Sundarrao Rehabilitation Engineering & Technology Program 4202 E Fowler Ave ENB 118 Tampa, FL 33620 (813) 974-5346 Michelle Szumski Texas Workforce Commission - VR Division 101 East 15th Street 101 CT Austin, TX 78778 (512) 936-3462 Arthur Yeager US Army - Walter Reed Hospital 3835 Maple Hill Road Fairfax, VA 22033 Bill Youngman Department of Social & Health Services 9600 College Way N Seattle, WA 98103 (206) 437-9681

AMF BRUNS IS • Family-Owned and Operated Since 1958 • RED DOT Award (Design Award) Winner for 2 products in the Mobility Industry • Protektor Series – Red Dot Winner - New Cutting edge design wheelchair retractors available • Offering special needs products worldwide • Outstanding quality • Outstanding service • FREE training online • EST 1958 • ISO 9001 Registered

AMF Bruns America 877-506-3770 www.amfbrunsamerica.com est 1958

DATES TO REMEMBER This calendar of upcoming events is provided as a service to NMEDA members. The Circuit Breaker cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. Please verify dates and locations with the organizations listed.

NMEDA Board of Directors Meetings February 16, 2023 March 16, 2023 April 20, 2023

NMEDA Manufacturer Service School (MSS) March 6-9, 2023 – Dallas, TX Visit www.NMEDA.org/MSS for more information.

NMEDA Comprehensive Automotive Mobility Solutions (CAMS) March 17, 2023 – Chantilly, VA Visit www.NMEDA.org/CAMS for more information.

NMEDA Comprehensive Automotive Mobility Solutions (CAMS) March 22, 2023 – Everett, WA Visit www.NMEDA.org/CAMS for more information.

NMEDA Comprehensive Automotive Mobility Solutions (CAMS) June 9, 2023 – Saddle Brook, NJ Visit www.NMEDA.org/CAMS for more information.

Abilities Expo - Los Angeles March 10–12, 2023 Visit www.abilities.com/losangeles for more information.

Abilities Expo - New York May 5–7, 2023 Visit www.abilities.com/dallas for more information.

2023 NMEDA Annual Conference & Auto Mobility Expo September 30-October 2, 2023 – Kansas City, Missouri Visit www.NMEDAAnnualConference.com for more information.

To have your information included in Dates to Remember, please submit at least 12 weeks before the event to katie.mcdonald@nmeda.org.

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NMEDA Circuit Breaker

Jan-Mar 2023

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NOW AVAILABLE WITH

AND ALL-NEW