Latest news with #JulieDouglas
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Dealer Pay Named Official Partner and Preferred Payment Systems Vendor for NYSADA
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dealer Pay, a Vehlo brand and a leader in modern dealership payment solutions, is pleased to announce a partnership with the New York State Automobile Dealers Association (NYSADA). Dealer Pay will serve as NYSADA's official partner and the preferred vendor for payment systems within automotive dealerships across New York State. By joining forces, Dealer Pay and NYSADA are set to provide member dealerships with comprehensive, secure, and innovative payment platforms. 'This partnership marks a major milestone for Dealer Pay,' said Julie Douglas, CEO and Founder of Dealer Pay. 'Working closely with NYSADA allows us to bring state-of-the-art payment technology and unrivaled support to automotive dealers throughout New York. We are honored by NYSADA's trust in our solutions, and together, we look forward to streamlining dealership operations and enhancing the customer experience statewide.' Dealer Pay's advanced technology platform sets it apart from other payments vendors. Dealer Pay goes beyond traditional payment systems by offering an integrated solution that seamlessly connects with a dealership's DMS (Dealer Management System) and unites all departments within the dealership. This cohesive approach simplifies internal workflows, drives efficiency, and enables a more connected dealership experience for both staff and customers. Staying ahead of evolving laws and regulations, Dealer Pay's platform ensures that New York dealers remain compliant and never have to worry about the complexities of payment compliance. Additionally, as surcharging and dual pricing (cash discount) programs become more prevalent in the automotive space, Dealer Pay offers full transparency to consumers – clearly communicating the sale and the discounted price up front and maintaining consumer trust. By joining forces, Dealer Pay and NYSADA are set to provide member dealerships with comprehensive, secure, and innovative payment platforms. The collaboration reflects the increasing demand for reliable, modern payment processing in the automotive sector and underscores both organizations' commitment to driving efficiency, profitability, compliance, and customer satisfaction. 'This is an exciting development for NYSADA and our members,' said Bob Vancavage, President of NYSADA. 'Dealer Pay's expertise and dedication to the automotive industry align perfectly with our mission to provide valuable resources and proven solutions to our dealer community. We're confident this partnership will deliver tangible benefits to our members and their customers.' Dealer Pay's appointment as NYSADA's preferred vendor means dealerships will have exclusive access to integrated payment solutions, dedicated customer support, and special member programs. The partnership aims to set a new standard for payment processing across New York's automotive dealerships and support future growth opportunities for both organizations. About Dealer Pay Dealer Pay, driven by Vehlo, is a leading provider of innovative payment solutions tailored to automotive dealerships. Since its founding, Dealer Pay has focused on delivering secure, efficient, and user-friendly systems that streamline transactions and drive business growth. For more information, visit About NYSADA The New York State Automobile Dealers Association (NYSADA) serves as a vital advocate and resource for franchised new car and truck dealerships across New York. With a legacy of supporting dealer interests and advancing industry best practices, NYSADA is dedicated to promoting excellence and innovation within the automotive retail sector.
RNZ News
12-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
No need for bill protecting campus free speech, unis and legal experts say
Paul Rishworth KC says academic freedom is already protected in the Education Act, and the Bill of Rights protects free speech. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson Universities and legal experts say there is no need for a bill protecting free speech on campus . But the legislation's supporters say universities can't be trusted to uphold freedom of expression. Parliament's Education and Workforce Select Committee has been hearing submissions on the Education and Training Amendment Bill (No. 2). If passed, it would require universities to develop a freedom of expression statement and complaints procedure, and report annually on it. The Law Society told the committee the bill created "needless complexity" because freedom of expression was already protected by law. Paul Rishworth KC said freedom of expression was of the utmost importance, but the bill was not necessary. He said academic freedom was already protected in the Education Act and the Bill of Rights protected free speech. "So, to add in to the Education Act a requirement that there be a statement on freedom of expression, introduces a needless complexity," he said. University staff warned the bill would force universities to host speakers spreading misinformation and hate speech. Tertiary Education Union co-president Julie Douglas told the committee there was a lack of evidence that universities were limiting free speech. "What we have now is a functioning model which does not need this level of monitoring," she said. Douglas said universities were special places but were being undermined "with a disregard for science, with a disregard for evidence , with a disregard for expert opinion". "I fear that this sort of move by the government with this sort of clause is meddling in a place where it's just not required," she said. University of Otago vice-chancellor Grant Robertson and Universities New Zealand chief executive Chris Whelan appeared before the committee together. They said the law was unnecessary, but if it was to go ahead universities wanted to reduce the associated compliance requirements. "We don't think it's either necessary nor a proportionate response to the issues that are there," Robertson said. Whelan said a similar complaints system in the UK had been "weaponised". New Zealand Initiative senior fellow Dr James Kierstead said staff and student surveys and 21 separate cases proved that universities were not protecting freedom of expression. Kierstead said the problem included staff fearful of losing their jobs if they voiced unpopular opinions and speakers refused the right to appear on campus. "It suggests that university senior management cannot be relied upon to uphold their obligations to academic freedom. If we have plentiful evidence that ordinary academics and students feel stifled and no evidence that senior management is going to solve the problem, then legislation is the only solution." Free Speech Union chief executive Jonathan Ayling said the organisation was sad the legislation was needed. Free Speech Union chief executive Jonathan Ayling. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith He said students could cope with hearing challenging ideas and opinions. "We should not let a small group of students use their vulnerability... and work with university managers to stop other students hearing views that they think are dangerous," he said. "Free debate, free and open to ideas is part of being an academic, it is part of being a student and universities need to allow that." Canterbury University biological sciences professor Tammy Steeves told the committee should not be required to host any event or speaker . She said academics could judge whether ideas were robust and evidence-based. Otago University law professor Andrew Geddis said the legislation was likely to backfire. "It will actually make it worse for free speech on campus, it will politicise it, it will mean that opposing speech on campus will become a political act because it will be seen as opposing the government and I think it will be bad." Geddis said he was on a committee that drew up the university's free speech statement and statement of institutional neutrality. He said translating those statements into legal requirements would be a mistake. "I don't think actually it's the role of government to be trying to impose views on how universities as institutions ought to work. I think that's a dangerous imposition into the autonomy of them as institutions." Geddis said maintaining a culture of free speech would be more effective than making laws. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beekman Group Portfolio Company Convenient Brands Completes Sale of Dealer Pay, a Leader in Seamless, Integrated Payments Software Solutions for the Dealership Industries, to Vehlo Holdings
DRAPER, Utah, May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Convenient Brands, Inc. ("Convenient Brands"), a provider of auto repair software and payment processing services, announced today that it has completed the sale of Dealer Pay, LLC ("Dealer Pay"), the leader in seamless, integrated payment processing and advanced point-of-sale software solutions for the dealership industries, to Vehlo Holdings. Dealer Pay has seen significant growth in demand for its products due to their advanced features, ability to support multiple payment options, their reporting capabilities, modern user interface, and DMS integrations which together with the company's robust customer support function creates a compelling value proposition that has led to meaningful market share gains. Dealer Pay focuses on franchised auto dealerships but can support other types of dealerships as well, such as RV, Marine, and Truck. Beekman and Convenient Brands acquired Dealer Pay in July 2022 and supported Dealer Pay in significant product development and staff expansion. Under Convenient Brands' management, Dealer Pay grew its revenue by approximately 4.0x and its total valuation by over 6.0x in less than three years. "We congratulate Julie Douglas and the Dealer Pay team for developing such a strong payment processing solution for dealerships and for generating such strong growth. We wish them the best and are sure that Dealer Pay's best years still lie ahead," said Casey Leloux and James Clippard in a joint statement. Mr. Leloux serves as CEO of Convenient Brands and Mr. Clippard serves as Chairman of Convenient Brands' Board of Directors and Managing Director of The Beekman Group, the majority owner of Convenient Brands. Presidio Technology Partners served as financial advisor to Convenient Brands in connection with the transaction. Akerman served as legal advisor to Convenient Brands and Beekman Group. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. About Convenient Brands Convenient Brands is a platform of business technology companies that provide shop management software to auto repair businesses as well as integrated payment processing services to merchants in a range of industries, including auto, government, and property management. Convenient Brands is comprised of Mainstreet Computers ( ROME Technologies ( ImEX Systems ( Web-Est ( and Intellipay ( Convenient Brands is headquartered in Draper, Utah and is a portfolio company of New York-based private investment firm, The Beekman Group. About The Beekman Group The Beekman Group is a private equity firm, based in New York City, focused on building industry-leading companies in the healthcare, consumer, and business services sectors. The firm partners with management teams who desire to be significant owners and create meaningful value by accelerating organic and acquisition growth initiatives. Beekman manages over $1 billion in assets and has completed over 200 transactions since inception. For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts 646-502-3300info@
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beekman Group Portfolio Company Convenient Brands Completes Sale of Dealer Pay, a Leader in Seamless, Integrated Payments Software Solutions for the Dealership Industries, to Vehlo Holdings
DRAPER, Utah, May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Convenient Brands, Inc. ("Convenient Brands"), a provider of auto repair software and payment processing services, announced today that it has completed the sale of Dealer Pay, LLC ("Dealer Pay"), the leader in seamless, integrated payment processing and advanced point-of-sale software solutions for the dealership industries, to Vehlo Holdings. Dealer Pay has seen significant growth in demand for its products due to their advanced features, ability to support multiple payment options, their reporting capabilities, modern user interface, and DMS integrations which together with the company's robust customer support function creates a compelling value proposition that has led to meaningful market share gains. Dealer Pay focuses on franchised auto dealerships but can support other types of dealerships as well, such as RV, Marine, and Truck. Beekman and Convenient Brands acquired Dealer Pay in July 2022 and supported Dealer Pay in significant product development and staff expansion. Under Convenient Brands' management, Dealer Pay grew its revenue by approximately 4.0x and its total valuation by over 6.0x in less than three years. "We congratulate Julie Douglas and the Dealer Pay team for developing such a strong payment processing solution for dealerships and for generating such strong growth. We wish them the best and are sure that Dealer Pay's best years still lie ahead," said Casey Leloux and James Clippard in a joint statement. Mr. Leloux serves as CEO of Convenient Brands and Mr. Clippard serves as Chairman of Convenient Brands' Board of Directors and Managing Director of The Beekman Group, the majority owner of Convenient Brands. Presidio Technology Partners served as financial advisor to Convenient Brands in connection with the transaction. Akerman served as legal advisor to Convenient Brands and Beekman Group. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. About Convenient Brands Convenient Brands is a platform of business technology companies that provide shop management software to auto repair businesses as well as integrated payment processing services to merchants in a range of industries, including auto, government, and property management. Convenient Brands is comprised of Mainstreet Computers ( ROME Technologies ( ImEX Systems ( Web-Est ( and Intellipay ( Convenient Brands is headquartered in Draper, Utah and is a portfolio company of New York-based private investment firm, The Beekman Group. About The Beekman Group The Beekman Group is a private equity firm, based in New York City, focused on building industry-leading companies in the healthcare, consumer, and business services sectors. The firm partners with management teams who desire to be significant owners and create meaningful value by accelerating organic and acquisition growth initiatives. Beekman manages over $1 billion in assets and has completed over 200 transactions since inception. For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts 646-502-3300info@
Business Wire
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Beekman Group Portfolio Company Convenient Brands Completes Sale of Dealer Pay, a Leader in Seamless, Integrated Payments Software Solutions for the Dealership Industries, to Vehlo Holdings
BUSINESS WIRE)--Convenient Brands, Inc. ('Convenient Brands'), a provider of auto repair software and payment processing services, announced today that it has completed the sale of Dealer Pay, LLC ('Dealer Pay'), the leader in seamless, integrated payment processing and advanced point-of-sale software solutions for the dealership industries, to Vehlo Holdings. Dealer Pay has seen significant growth in demand for its products due to their advanced features, ability to support multiple payment options, their reporting capabilities, modern user interface, and DMS integrations which together with the company's robust customer support function creates a compelling value proposition that has led to meaningful market share gains. Dealer Pay focuses on franchised auto dealerships but can support other types of dealerships as well, such as RV, Marine, and Truck. Beekman and Convenient Brands acquired Dealer Pay in July 2022 and supported Dealer Pay in significant product development and staff expansion. Under Convenient Brands' management, Dealer Pay grew its revenue by approximately 4.0x and its total valuation by over 6.0x in less than three years. 'We congratulate Julie Douglas and the Dealer Pay team for developing such a strong payment processing solution for dealerships and for generating such strong growth. We wish them the best and are sure that Dealer Pay's best years still lie ahead,' said Casey Leloux and James Clippard in a joint statement. Mr. Leloux serves as CEO of Convenient Brands and Mr. Clippard serves as Chairman of Convenient Brands' Board of Directors and Managing Director of The Beekman Group, the majority owner of Convenient Brands. Presidio Technology Partners served as financial advisor to Convenient Brands in connection with the transaction. Akerman served as legal advisor to Convenient Brands and Beekman Group. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. About Convenient Brands Convenient Brands is a platform of business technology companies that provide shop management software to auto repair businesses as well as integrated payment processing services to merchants in a range of industries, including auto, government, and property management. Convenient Brands is comprised of Mainstreet Computers ( ROME Technologies ( ImEX Systems ( Web-Est ( and Intellipay ( Convenient Brands is headquartered in Draper, Utah and is a portfolio company of New York-based private investment firm, The Beekman Group. About The Beekman Group The Beekman Group is a private equity firm, based in New York City, focused on building industry-leading companies in the healthcare, consumer, and business services sectors. The firm partners with management teams who desire to be significant owners and create meaningful value by accelerating organic and acquisition growth initiatives. Beekman manages over $1 billion in assets and has completed over 200 transactions since inception. For more information, please visit
