American International Automobile Dealers Association

The American International Automobile Dealers Association (sometimes abbreviated as AIADA) is a United States lobbying force dedicated to the economic and political interests of America's international nameplate automobile dealers. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, its primary focus is on promoting free trade and opposing tax increases.

History

AIADA was established in 1970 as the Volkswagen Dealers Association in response to a growing protectionist movement in the United States. On September 10, 1970 the first Board of Directors meeting of the Volkswagen American Dealers Association (VADA) was held. The officers elected were David H. Gezon, President; Ken Sowles, Vice President; Richard Kronman, Secretary; and Bob Miller, Treasurer. Bob McElwaine became VADA's first Executive Vice President.

On January 30, VADA opened membership to any franchised dealer of imported automobiles and changed its name to the American Imported Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA). "Imported" was later changed to "international." Ken Sowles became the association's second president. Its current president is Cody Lusk [One on one With Cody Lusk [http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/09/12/021660.html] ] .

Today AIADA represents over 11,000 international dealers and over 500,000 of their employees. [Our History [http://www.aiada.org/ourFocus/ourHistory.asp] ]

Board Members

John H. Hawkins - Chairman
Jim Hudson - Chairman Elect
Russ Darrow - Vice Chairman
Fritz Hitchcock - Secretary/Treasurer

Don Beyer - Immediate Past Chairman
Jamie Auffenberg
George Brochick
Dave Conant
Allen Courter
Rick DeSilva
Jack Fitzgerald
Ralph Ghioto, Jr.
Al Gossett
Peter Lanzavecchia
Ray Mungenast
Peggy Proko
Robert V. Rohrman
Jenell Ross
Jim Smail
Tim Smith
Morrie Wagener