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Dennis DeCota

Dennis DeCota

Dennis DeCota

Mr. Dennis DeCota was originally appointed to the Inspection and Maintenance Review Committee in 1994 by Governor Pete Wilson and was most recently re-appointed by the Senate Rules Committee on August 25, 2003. Since 1991, Mr. DeCota has served as the Executive Director of the California Service Station and Automotive Repair Association. He oversees daily activities of the Association and its annual budget, membership benefits programs, organizes and manages CSSARA’s Board meetings and the annual general membership meeting. In addition, Mr. DeCota maintains good working relationships with all levels of management at theState of California, Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Automotive Repair, California Air Resources Board, California Environmental Protection Agency, California Energy Commission and California Legislature.

Prior to his employment at CSSARA, Mr. DeCota was the Merchandising Sales Supervisor for Unocal Corporation from 1966 to 1978 and the Marketing Director for CSSA Pro from 1982 to 1985. Mr. DeCota has been instrumental in the passage of Legislation that has benefited both the Smog Check program and small businesses involved in oil company franchisees; these bills include SB 629 (statutes of 1994) and SB1178 (statutes of 1999). In addition, Mr. DeCota has served on the California Attorney General's Gasoline Pricing Task Force, the California Environmental Protection Agency Service Station Permit Regulatory Reform Task Force, the California Air Resources Board Cleaner Burning Gasoline Committee, the Bureau of Automotive Repair’s Technical Education Committee, and the President of the Automotive Repair Coalition from 1999 - 2002.

His many accomplishments on behalf of the automotive repair industry include the following:

  • SB 629 signed into law by Governor Wilson, January 27, 1994, allowing independents to continue In-State Smog Check Program.
  • AB 2515 signed into law by Governor Wilson, September 29, 1996, legislation that developed the California Gold Shield component of the state Smog Check Program.
  • AB 1340 signed into law by Governor Davis, October 9, 2003, legislation requiring the major oil companies to report dealer tank wagon pricing weekly to the California Energy Commission.
  • > SB 1178 signed into law by Governor Wilson, September 27, 1999, helped franchisees in regard to purchasing petroleum products and selling their franchises.
  • SB1146 aided in the industry effort to pass SB1146 requiring the State’s Air Resources Board to adopt regulations that requires motor vehicle manufacturers to make information available, necessary for the diagnosis and repair of today’s high tech vehicles.
  • Managed the development of the most comprehensive white paper on “Why Californians Pay More at the Pump.” Instrumental in bringing to Attorney General’s attention the frivolous lawsuits based on Business & Professions Code 17.200. This led to the disbarment of the attorneys involved.
  • Organized the CSSARA 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund, where CSSARA members donated in excess of $20,000 to the families of police and firefighters who fell victim by the terrible attack on America.
  • Aided in the organization and development of the Independent Valero Retailers of California, a chapter of CSSARA, which facilitated negotiations and funding of $50 million in financing for Bay Area Valero dealers, savings in excess of $40 million.
  • Received four grants totaling $3.8 million from the State of California Employment Training Panel to train over 3,500 in-service automotive repair technicians.
  • Organized and implemented the first job-training program in South Central Los Angeles following the civil unrest in Spring 1992 to train 100 disadvantaged residents. Program consisted of 180 hours of classroom and laboratory training for entry-level automotive repair technicians in South Central Los Angeles, Compton, and Watts. Received an award from the City of Compton for services rendered to the community.
  • Assisted in negotiating concessions from Unocal Corporation in rental reductions. Aided in establishing Unocal low interest loan programs for franchisees with financial problems. Negotiated working relationships with individual dealers.
  • Presented the new State Smog Check Program as outlined by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) to industry. As the industry representative, accompanied BAR Chief on speaking engagements throughout the State.
  • Interviewed by Charles Kurault on CBS Television concerning the plight of individual service station owners, and on KCBS, KGO and KSFO Radio regarding oil industry related issues.
  • As industry spokesperson, was interviewed by the Los Angeles Times, San Diego Union, Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle and San Francisco Examiner on the State Smog Check Program and gasoline-related issues.
  • Received the 1996 ENVY Award from the American Lung Association of San Francisco and San Mateo Counties for small business for contributions made to the State Smog Check Program.