Representing Dealership Associations

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John Devlin
2024 ATAE
Chairman

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the Chairman of ATAE in 2024.  We face a lot of challenges – at the industry level and within our states and communities – but we are so much more effective when we work together.

We are, all of us, dealer advocates.  All 98 of our ATAE members have an important role to play in the industry and in this association. My goal is to facilitate an excellent year: covering educational topics, detailing franchise law updates, and providing insight to both state and national issues.  I plan to over-communicate and ask for your feedback regularly. Each of us may have different approaches, but we have the same goals.

Our franchise laws form the backbone of our respective associations. My elevator speech to someone outside the industry in explaining what we do is this – We help the dealers we represent gain a better understanding of the individual state franchise laws and we educate elected officials on the industry impacts of proposed legislation. I’m looking forward to continuing this great tradition, learning and developing the best strategies to face tough challenges, and arming each of us with needed knowledge and tools to take back to our states and localities so we can continue to represent our dealers effectively.

We need to also acknowledge that about half of our members are metro associations, with their own unique challenges. I plan to support their efforts with the strategic ASNA plan they are rolling out.  We know customers want auto shows, and communicating their value is beneficial to all of us.

I believe that with ATAEs working together, along with the support of NADA leadership, ATAE can accomplish great things in 2024.  Thank you for this opportunity, and I look forward to a terrific year.