Deborah Dorman has been in her present position as President of the Eastern New York Coalition of Automotive Retailers since 1993. She is an attorney, licensed in NY, DC and VA. Prior to running the trade association, she worked for a legal publisher, managed a shopping mall and did general legal practice in northern Virginia. She lives in Delmar, NY with her 14-year-old daughter, her husband and her Bichon Frise, and her son just started at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.  Deborah has done many years of community theater, and directed middle school musicals. Currently, she is in rehearsals for a performance, for the first time in 22 years, in a community theater production, “And Then They Came for Me.”

ASK PATTY: What are the challenges for you as a women working in the automotive industry?

Deborah: It’s always challenging when women enter what is traditionally a “man’s world.”  When I started this job, I knew nothing about the automotive industry, but I did have the skills to run a trade association. I am an attorney with a background in management, teaching, marketing and special events. I suppose the law degree helped somewhat to avoid some of the negative attitudes that women might encounter in the industry, but it was also important, and remains important, to stand up for myself and hold onto my convictions (i.e. go toe to toe when necessary), and my own management style.  I am used to being the only woman at many, many meetings, but I have quite a few good friendships and business relationships among the men that I work with.

ASK PATTY: Can you tell me a little bit about your job as President of the Eastern New York Coalition of Automotive Retailers, Inc.?

Deborah: My job as President of the Eastern New York Coalition of Automotive Retailers, which is a trade association for franchised new car dealers and affiliated businesses, entails quite varied tasks.  I do a great deal of “regulatory interpretation” for my dealers, write a newsletter each month, work on seminars and special events, research questions for dealers, supervise a safety and health program, and do a great deal of “fund raising,” otherwise known as looking for sponsorships, and work on trade shows.  I have a small and terrific staff, who produce many events and programs during the year.

ASK PATTY: What if any are the big changes you are seeing today in how vehicles are being marketed to women?

Deborah: Women have known for a long time that they are the ones making decisions about many car purchases.  But it took the industry a long time to acknowledge that.  There are more and more women working as salespeople in dealerships, and you can see more advertising directed to women. The Internet has provided a way for all buyers to be more educated about their purchases, and dealers have had to adapt to that.