Under Mark Schienberg’s guidance, the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) has become the largest regional automobile dealer network in the country, representing 650 retail automobile franchises in New York, Westchester, Long Island, Suffolk, Nassau, and Rockland Counties. Schienberg has created numerous programs that have refined the automotive dealer business, as well as improved consumer-dealer relations. They include:
- Consumer action programs such as AUTOCAP, which mediates consumer and dealer disputes, while attempting to reach a mutually acceptable resolution. Since its inception in 1994, AUTOCAP resolved more than 90% of its cases.
- The National Automotive Technology Competition, which now serves as the model for student technology competitions around the country. In 2007, the Competition awarded more than $3.5 million in prizes and scholarships.
- The Center for Automotive Education & Training has set a new standard in the automotive industry. The $27 million, 90,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art training facility demonstrates the commitment metro New York auto dealers have to maintaining a skilled and professional workforce.
- North America’s oldest and largest-attended auto show: the New York International Auto show. Under Schienberg’s direction, press coverage has more than tripled, and manufacturers are debuting more products than ever before in New York City.
Schienberg has also developed numerous dealer and consumer programs, which have received nationwide recognition. In 1995, he negotiated with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles to establish a partnership with GNYADA that provides vehicle registration and title work for franchised new car dealers quickly and efficiently. GNYADA’s DMV-Direct program resulted and is now the largest private partnership of its kind in New York State.
Before joining the Association, Schienberg headed his own broadcasting and political consulting business. Throughout his career, Schienberg has been called on numerous times to provide commentary for the national and local media and is one of the most widely quoted experts in New York’s automotive business. He was appointed to the Board of the Flushing Meadow Corona Park Corporation in 2002, is a member of the Hudson Yard Coalition and sits on the Board of Daytop, an organization for individuals with substance abuse problems. He is Chair of the NYC Department of Education Automotive Advisory Council and has won awards from Northwood University and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Schienberg joined GNYADA in 1985 as one of three staff members and has been running this 98-year-old automotive trade organization since 1987.