By Mark Phillips
Former Florida House of Representatives member Leslie Waters believes aftermarket executives need to be engaged with local politicians because their businesses could depend on it.
“Are you for good government?” Waters asked the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium audience on Tuesday. “What is good government? Good government is not those gray granite buildings you see in your state capitals. It takes both sides to make good government. Good government is about people. You need to know who they are [local legislators]. Get to know your elected officials.”
Ray Pohlman, vice president and government relations director, AutoZone, led the discussion. “If you don’t have a personal relationship with your local legislator, call them up” and take them out to lunch, Pohlman said. “Have a discussion about your business.”
Pohlman outlined and reminded the audience of the kind of clout they could wield. “We are a $300 billion industry,” he said. “We provide jobs for more than 5 million people. Not many industries can boast those numbers.”
Aftermarket executives must keep tabs on their elected officials because their bottom lines are affected by them. “Who in this room finds politics icky? It is. The bottom line in your company and your paychecks – are they icky?” Waters asked. “You have to keep tabs on your elected officials, because your company’s bottom line can be affected by them. Everyone’s business in the room has a business plan. Am I right? Each should also have a political action plan.”
Waters suggested that aftermarket executives should construct a simple political action plan. “It could look very simple. I would put down a list of my elected officials,” she said.
It’s not important that executives get to know every elected official in the United States , Waters said. “You need to know the folks at home. You need to know your state senator and your local state representative” at a minimum, but also your mayor, city council.
