Pub. 1 2019 Issue 3

Safety Commissioner Barthelmes Retires PETE MCNAMARA NHADA PRESIDENT, FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR A fter a tenure of nearly 12 years as the Commis- sioner of the Depart- ment of Safety, John Barthelmes retired effective March 31, 2019. The Com- missioner position oversees the Department of Safety and its Division of Motor Vehicles, among many other agencies. While the Commissioner’s role is broad, NHADA’s involvement with Safety and DMV tends to be centered on a few narrow but critical areas: State Police Troop G, dealer and inspection station licensing and title turnaround. In the eyes of NHADA, Commissioner Barthelmes engineered dramatic improvements in those three areas by wielding the most basic of tools: communication, customer service and partnership. John was a good friend of the NHADA who often made a point of stopping by the headquarters for a coffee and having an open door at his offices on Hazen drive. We established formal meetings between the NHADA and the Dept. of Safety that occurred sev- eral times a year. The NHADA mem- bers who attended these meetings were always grateful he treated the auto businesses like customers and partners. Fifteen years ago conflict might have been common; now com- munication is a constant. According to NH Public Radio, “[one] of his main accomplishments was overseeing the 2008 merger of the State Police and Highway Patrol and overhauling the State Police Officer recruitment pro- cess.” John also recruited several key leaders in the Department who helped carry out his customer-service vision. During his 43-year career in law enforcement, Barthelmes was the Colonel of the NH state police from 1996 to 1999. He then became head of the New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, a program that supports law enforcement efforts to fight drugs. He became commissioner in 2007. His first assignment as a State Trooper had him patrolling areas of Coos County. John is also an avid road cyclist who participated in many long bike trips, including the RAGBRAI (the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, which is a challenging ride). He will be missed by the NHADA and its members but left the Dept. of Safety in great shape and in good hands with his successor, Robert “Bob” Quinn. NHADA wishes him the best as he cycles off into the sunset. NH’s Newest Safety Commissioner: Bob Quinn On Wednesday April 17th 2019, the Executive Council unanimously approved Governor Chris Sununu’s nomination to head the Department of Safety: Bob Quinn. He is suc- ceeding former commissioner John Barthelmes, who retired. NHADA President Pete McNamara testified in support of his nomination. During his tenure as Colonel and as Assistant Commissioner, NHADA leaders and staff got to know Bob well and look forward to working with him as he leads the Department of Safety and its DMV. Bob will be carrying on the excellent customer service and part- nership focus of the Department. Bob was Colonel of the NH’s State Police and most recently served alongside Rick Bailey as an Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Safety. The council also approved Perry Plummer of Dover to serve as Assistant Commissioner of the Department. Plummer was previously the Director of Homeland Security for the state. Health, dental, vision, short-term disability & life insurances. W ith NHADA, your employees and their families have access to competitive, high-quality group insurance products and services from leading carriers. Please contact Laurie Churchill at the 800-852-3372 or lchurchill@nhada.com for more information. NHAD Services, Inc. – Insurance Division Left to right: Laurie Churchill, licensed insurance producer; Walter Johnson, administration; Rita Auprey and P.J. Smith, customer service; Jocelyn Thompson, director; and Melissa Leblanc, customer service. PlatinumPartner ENDORSED PARTNER Diamond Partner Cox Automotive, Inc. Transforming the way the world buys, sells, owns and uses cars Cox Automotive strive to understand your needs by pairing our insights and research with your business goals – delivering inspired results to bridge the gap between consumers, manufacturers, deal- ers and lenders at every stage of the automotive experience. For more information, please contact Ernest Lattimer, Director of State Association Partnerships, at ernest.lattimer@coxautoinc.com or 516-547-2242. N E W H A M P S H I R E 5