DALLAS (April 28, 2008) - Gary Gibson, president of Tri-State Sterling Trucks in Cincinnati, Ohio, takes over as the new chairman of the American Truck Dealers (ATD) division of the National Automobile Dealers Association amidst challenging economic times.

Gibson will serve a two-year term as ATD chairman. He previously served as vice chairman of ATD.

In a speech to attendees of the 45th annual ATD Convention & Expo in Dallas today, Gibson emphasized the need to recruit qualified dealership employees, especially truck technicians, to protect the industry's long-term viability. “We need to raise the profile of our business in the minds of people who may not know they can find well-paying careers as sales and service professionals in our dealerships,” said Gibson.
 
Noting the many challenges currently facing the retail truck industry - from the strained economic environment to the pending legislative and regulatory challenges - Gibson said, “Dealers will have their hands full as they attempt to operate profitably during these difficult times. But ATD, along with NADA, will actively work to represent the interests of dealers.”

“Another initiative that comes to mind is strengthening our ties with manufacturers on lobbying efforts,” Gibson said. “Whenever the legislative interests of truck dealers and
manufacturers are aligned, truck makers could become more effective by leveraging ATD's respected position on Capitol Hill.”