Left to Right - NHADA Chairman Andy Crews of Autofair Companies; Mr. Dave Quinn, NH-ESGR State Chairman; and NHADA President Mr. Peter McNamara (Photo courtesy of Nat Stout- NHADA)

New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association Supports Veterans

By Ken Lull, NHESGR Public Affairs Director

(CONCORD, NH)- The New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association (NHADA) was established in 1921 and is comprised of approximately 570 business members statewide. These businesses represent over 24 percent of the total retail sales in New Hampshire annually. NHADA is a statewide trade association, representing the interests of the motor vehicle industry. Membership consists of all of the new-car and new-truck dealers in the state, along with motorcycle, recreational vehicle, farm equipment, used-car, power equipment, and construction equipment dealers, as well as motor vehicle service, auto-body repair, and motor vehicle parts sales facilities, and associate members. Over 14,400 people are currently employed at NHADA member facilities, many are veterans or members of the U.S. Military Reserve Component and the New Hampshire National Guard.

The NHADA Board of Directors recently signed a Statement of Support with the NH-ESGR State Chairman, Mr. Dave Quinn. The Statement of Support Program is the cornerstone of ESGR’s effort to gain and maintain employer support for the Guard and Reserve. The intent of the program is to increase employer support by encouraging employers to act as advocates for employee participation in the military. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.

Over the last decade, NHADA has provided almost $250,000 in scholarships to students studying automotive science and technology within the state’s community college system. Many of those students are veterans or members of the New Hampshire National Guard and Reserve Components. Although NHADA scholarships are available to anyone, NHADA prioritizes assistance to the states veterans.   Veterans are encouraged to seek scholarship aid through current NHADA programs.

"We consider it our mission to help veterans find meaningful career opportunities once their military service is complete," said Pete McNamara, president of NHADA. "These scholarships are available for anyone who applies, but Maryann Cyr (a recent veteran scholarship awardee) reminds all of us how important it is to make sure our veterans know help is out there for them."

The New Hampshire Automotive Education Foundation (NHAEF), in conjunction with the NHADA, offers scholarships for New Hampshire residents pursuing a career in automotive technology at one of four community colleges: Lakes Region Community College, Manchester Community College, Nashua Community College, or White Mountains Community College. More information about NHADA and its scholarship program can be found at their website: www.nhada.com/scholarships.

Today in this time of economic uncertainty and high unemployment, the New Hampshire ESGR committee along with the other committee's 4700 volunteers throughout the country, are being called upon by DoD to expand our mission set. We are being tasked to engage in activities that will enhance service member's and their family's opportunities in the civilian workplace.

ESGR's Strategic Plan FY11-15 directly addresses and supports this critical and emerging mission which is to plan for and execute activities to focus on the employment opportunities for service members and their families, especially focusing on those completing active duty tours and our Wounded Warriors.

NH ESGR and HQ ESGR will facilitate employment opportunities by working with local, state and federal agencies to assist our service members to be competitive in today's job market.

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