Brian Benstock
General Manager and Vice President Paragon Honda Friday, June 24 | Annual Meeting |
BRIAN BENSTOCK is the General Manager and Vice President of the #1 Certified Honda and Acura dealer in the world, Paragon Honda and Paragon Acura. Under his direction the Queens, NY dealership has grown rapidly, selling more than 950 cars per month and 32 cars every single day.
A sought-after keynote speaker, author, podcast host and forward-thinking thought leader in the automotive industry, Benstock has been Interviewed by CNN Money, FOX Business, Bloomberg, Automotive News, and The New York Daily News. Benstock is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking philosophy on consumer-driven business, “The Future is Frictionless”. Benstock brokered a partnership with Google to develop a revolutionary App that allows car buyers to purchase online, request service with Google Voice technology, and get their cars delivered, without having to set foot into the dealership. Benstock is on a mission to transform the nature of the automotive industry. Since his career began in 1982, he’s held every position in the dealership from sales consultant, to finance manager, general sales manager, and finally a partner within the organization. His commitment to lifelong learning has informed his business at every level and propelled him to the top of his field. An active player in his community, Benstock works to support the Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Center, Team for Kids, NY Roadrunners, the American Cancer Society, Foundation Fighting Blindness, The Starlight Foundation, and the Hias Foundation. He is also an avid competitive runner, completing 23 marathons including Boston, Chicago, London, and New York. |
Senator Page Cortez
Senate President Louisiana State Senate Thursday, June 23 | Opening Session |
SENATOR PAGE CORTEZ was unanimously elected President of the Louisiana Senate in January of 2020. He has represented Senate District 23 in the Louisiana Legislature since 2012. Prior to being elected to the Senate, he represented House District 43 in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011.
As Senator, President Cortez has served on Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs Committee, Retirement Committee and as Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. He is a member of the Acadiana and Republican Delegations. President Cortez is a successful small businessman. He is co-owner and operator of La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries and Sofas & Chairs in Lafayette, La. Prior to entering the business world, he was a teacher and coach for several years. President Cortez and his wife, Angela Stoma Cortez, have a son, Matthew, married to Jessica, and a daughter, Maria, married to Eric. They are also the grandparents of two adorable girls. |
Joe Jankowski
Managing Partner Armatus Dealer Uplift Thursday, June 23 | NextGen Luncheon |
JOE JANKOWSKI serves as the Managing Partner of Armatus Dealer Uplift, a firm specializing in Retail Warranty Reimbursement. With over 5,000 dealer clients and 8,000 successful submissions in all 50 states, Joe’s firm is by far the industry leader in providing Retail Warranty Reimbursement services to automotive dealers. Armatus is formally endorsed/licensed by 18 State ADAs, and works with 7 of the top 10 dealer groups in the country. Joe has been personally involved in consulting on 12 retail warranty statutes, and is widely recognized as a subject matter expert in this highly complex arena. Previously, Joe spent more than 20 years as the CFO, COO & CEO, of a large automotive group in Maryland.
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Joe Jankowski
Managing Partner Armatus Dealer Uplift Thursday, June 23 | NextGen Luncheon |
JOE JANKOWSKI serves as the Managing Partner of Armatus Dealer Uplift, a firm specializing in Retail Warranty Reimbursement. With over 5,000 dealer clients and 8,000 successful submissions in all 50 states, Joe’s firm is by far the industry leader in providing Retail Warranty Reimbursement services to automotive dealers. Armatus is formally endorsed/licensed by 18 State ADAs, and works with 7 of the top 10 dealer groups in the country. Joe has been personally involved in consulting on 12 retail warranty statutes, and is widely recognized as a subject matter expert in this highly complex arena. Previously, Joe spent more than 20 years as the CFO, COO & CEO, of a large automotive group in Maryland.
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Representative Clay Schexnayder
Speaker of the House Louisiana House of Representatives Thursday, June 23 | Opening Session |
REPRESENTATIVE CLAY SCHEXNAYDER, the 69th Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, was first elected to the body in 2011 to serve District 81, representing the citizens of Ascension, Livingston, St. James and St. John Parishes.
Speaker Schexnayder has done much work both in the House of Representatives, serving on numerous committees and leading the body as a whole, and in his community through his volunteer efforts throughout his district. As Chairman of the Agriculture, Forestry and Aquaculture Committee, Speaker Schexnayder led an effort to fund a joint Wildlife and Fisheries Department and Livingston and Ascension Parish Sheriffs' outpost on the Diversion Canal. He is most proud of his work to restore and enhance the health and sustainability of the Maurepas Swamp and the successful passage of his legislation that allows for and governs the production of industrial hemp in Louisiana. Named Legis-Gator Business Champion by the Southwest Louisiana Chambers of Commerce in 2012, 2014 and 2015, Speaker Schexnayder has also been recognized as a Family Advocate in 2012 and 2014 by the Louisiana Family Forum, and as an Education Choice Champion by the Louisiana Federation of Children in 2014 and 2015. Speaker Schexnayder has also served as vice chair of the Congressional Sportsman Foundation and has been involved in numerous local community activities. He is a member of the Ascension Sportsmen Against Poachers, the National Rifle Association and the Coastal Conservation Association. Speaker Schexnayder is a graduate of French Settlement High School, as well as the Allen Institute of Atlanta where he was certified in Automotive Service Excellence. He began his career as a race car driver and spent nearly a decade of work with Firestone. He has driven and worked with IMCA/UMP modified race cars in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. He is married to Phoebe Keller and has four children, one son-in-law, four grandsons and three granddaughters. His family proudly belongs to both St. Joseph Catholic Church in French Settlement and Pine Grove Baptist Church in Bayou Barbary. |
Mark Strand
Director, Economic Industry Insights Cox Automotive, Inc. Thursday, June 23 | Opening Session |
MARK STRAND is Director of Economic Industry Insights for Cox Automotive, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises. In his role with Economic Industry Insights/Research & Market Intelligence, Mark is responsible for tracking market trends that drive the shifts in the automotive industry and analyzing such trends to produce industry forecasts. Mark keeps an eye on the pulse of the automotive industry in all aspects, from economics and finance impacting vehicle demand to consumer trends impacting the way we shop for, buy and own vehicles.
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