Fellow dealers,
During the course of 2023, while serving as NADA vice chairman, I was very fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to visit many states and engage in discussions with many dealers and dealer representatives about both the national and individual state-level issues they were facing.
There is no shortage of obstacles to overcome and winding rivers to navigate, but I am energized, informed and ready to tackle everything that’s before us head-on.
My priorities as the 2024 NADA chairman are straightforward:
- Continue to work with the NADA professional staff, dealers and OEMs to protect and support the franchise system.
- Enhance dealer engagement and involvement.
- Further strengthen the working relationship between NADA and ATAE.
- Defend the auto retail industry against regulatory overreach.
Why are these my priorities? Because dealers, NADA, ATAEs and the manufacturers are the legs of the stool upon which the entire franchise sits. And the legs of this stool must be strong and balanced to support the considerable weight the franchise system must endure, especially today.
Challenges are coming at us from all different directions. In my 47 years in this business, I cannot think of a time when dealers have been pulled in so many directions and challenged on so many fronts.
I want you to know our NADA staff and dealers have been continually working on each of these priorities, and many more issues simultaneously. I look at my job as doing what I can to remind everyone that we will accomplish so much more by working with one another than not.
We’ve got a lot on our plate. Which means YOU have a lot on your plate! So, stay involved, stay educated and stay in touch with your directors and your ATAEs. And remember that we’re in this together, which means we will be successful.
Many thanks,
Gary Gilchrist
2024 NADA Chairman
