Anthony Bento
Chief Legal Officer
Hometown: Sacramento, California
With CNCDA since: January 2017
Tell us about your background. How did you end up at CNCDA?
I double-majored in film and digital media and in politics in college. After college, I worked as a photographer in New York, but I realized it wasn’t a great career choice. After that, I held a series of jobs back in California and went to law school. After graduating from law school in 2013, I joined a mid-sized law firm in Sacramento as an associate. In late 2016, I decided it was time for a change when a recruiter contacted me about a job opportunity at CNCDA.
What does your current position entail?
I’m the Chief Legal Officer, which means I’m the association’s lead in-house attorney. In addition to reviewing contracts and other routine legal matters, I manage our association’s litigation efforts. I help our lobbying team understand the impact of proposed legislation and regulations on our industry, and I serve as the chief architect of our member compliance resources, including manuals and webinars. I am also the architect of many state franchise laws that protect California dealers from unfair practices.
When should a dealer member reach out to you?
Dealers should contact me if they’re encountering issues with their manufacturers or need information about California law. Dealers can also contact our legal hotline at (916) 441-2599 for help. My colleague, Les Swizer, is the lead on the hotline, and he’s a very knowledgeable resource.
What’s a project you’re currently working on that directly impacts our members?
My biggest project right now is our lawsuits against VW/Scout and Honda for their unlawful direct sales plans. It’s not an overstatement to say that the outcome of this litigation will greatly impact our industry for decades to come. It’s critical that dealers draw a line in the sand to block unfair competition from their automaker partners.
What do you enjoy most about working with California’s dealer community?
People who work at dealerships are dynamic, interesting and hard-working. They’re a critical part of the state’s economy, and it’s a privilege to work in an industry that is undergoing such incredible changes. It feels like every day, something is new in retail automotive.
What’s something about you that people might be surprised to learn?
I’m getting married in October! I also just bought a house with my fiancée, Liz. We’re very excited.
Coffee or tea? Early bird or night owl?
Both. I need my coffee in the morning, but tea often gets me through the afternoon. And I’m definitely a morning person. My brain doesn’t want to work hard after dinner.
What was your first car?
A 2001 Saturn L300.
Any hidden talents or fun facts most people don’t know about you?
I still love taking photos, especially landscapes. I’m also an avid skier and cyclist — when I’m not working on my new home!
Lauren Johnston
Membership & Finance Manager
Hometown: Rocklin, California
With CNCDA Since: August 2017
Tell us about your background. How did you end up at CNCDA?
My background is in communications and operations. I spent several years in public affairs and nonprofit work before joining CNCDA in 2017. I started out supporting our board of directors and senior staff and, over time, grew into my current role as Membership & Finance Manager.
What does your current position entail?
I manage our member database and keep the systems running that connect CNCDA to our dealer community. I also work with Michael, our CFO, on the financial side, including accounts receivable and budgeting. On any given day, I might be updating membership records, following up on payments or working through a data issue. I do a little bit of everything, which keeps things interesting.
When should a dealer member reach out to you?
If you have questions about your membership — your account status, contact information on file, member benefits or anything else — I’m a great first call. When in doubt, start with me, and I’ll point you in the right direction.
What’s something you work on behind the scenes that directly benefits our dealer members?
I’m constantly working to ensure our membership records are accurate and up to date so the right people get the right information when they need it. Whether it’s a compliance update, event invitation or dues renewal, none of it reaches the right people if our records aren’t accurate. It has a real ripple effect on everything we do.
What’s a project you’re currently working on that directly impacts our members?
Right now, I’m focused on the systems we use to manage our membership data. The goal is to make our operations more efficient and our member experience smoother so that interactions with CNCDA feel seamless, whether you’re renewing your membership, accessing resources or registering for an event. It’s a big lift, but I’m excited about what it will mean for our members in the long term.
What do you enjoy most about working with California’s dealer community?
Our members and dealer leadership are hardworking, engaged, and deeply invested in their businesses and their customers. And I’m always learning! Before joining CNCDA, I never could have appreciated just how many rules and regulations impact dealerships. It’s a more complex industry than most people realize, and that keeps my work interesting.
What’s something about you that people might be surprised to learn?
Before becoming a mom, I read about 50 books per year. These days, I’m reading a little slower, but I almost always have more than one book in rotation.
Coffee or tea? Early bird or night owl?
Coffee! My husband and son bring me coffee in bed every morning — it’s my favorite morning routine. I’m not a morning person, so I need a hit of caffeine when I wake up.
What was your first car?
A Toyota Solara.
Any hidden talents or fun facts most people don’t know about you?
I’m an avid home cook. We have an imaginary family restaurant at home, and we’re always adding new dishes to the menu.
