TYSONS, Va. (Oct. 22, 2024)— The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) elected Tom Castriota as its 2025 chairman. Castriota, owner of Castriota Chevrolet, Inc. in Hudson, Fla., will succeed Gary Gilchrist, president of Gilchrist Chevrolet Buick GMC, Inc. in Tacoma, Wash.

“I am humbled and grateful to become the next NADA Chairman,” said Castriota, who currently serves as NADA vice chairman. “I want every dealer and dealership employee to know that NADA will continue to be the strong voice of the dealer that you need. NADA, along with our state and metro associations, is here to protect and promote our franchise system. NADA will continue, through our Dealer Attitude Survey, to bring the dealers’ concerns to their perspective OEMs. And finally, NADA will continue to be the dealers’ influential voice before Congress, the administration and federal regulators, and the courts.”

Castriota, 70, began his dealership career working in his family’s store in Pittsburgh, Pa. after retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps. He and his wife Anita Castriota later purchased their own store, Castriota Chevrolet, Inc. Castriota has been on the NADA Board of Directors representing Florida since 2016. 

Rob Cochran, 58, who represents Western Pennsylvania’s franchised new-car dealers and currently serves as the NADA Industry Relations Committee Chairman, was elected as NADA vice chairman for 2025. Cochran is the president and CEO of #1 Cochran, Western Pennsylvania's largest automotive retailer. He has been on the NADA board of directors since 2020. 

“I am incredibly honored to be elected NADA 2025 Vice Chairman,” said Cochran. “So much of what we do as dealers is about families. Our own families, our families of employees, and the families within our communities. And of course, our big family of franchised dealers all across the country. The privilege of working on behalf of our families is powerfully motivating to me, and I will do everything I can to advance the needs and priorities of franchised dealers everywhere.”

Robert Vail, president of Vail Buick GMC in Bedford Hills, N.Y., was re-elected as secretary. Kirt Frye, president of Sunnyside Automotive Group in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, was re-elected as treasurer.

The election took place at NADA’s board meeting on Oct. 22, 2024. The new terms begin at NADA Show 2025 in New Orleans in January.