WASHINGTON — The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) elected Edward C. Tonkin and Stephen Wade to be the 2010 chairman and vice chairman, respectively.

“It’s humbling to be elected by your peers to such an important position. It’s an honor,” said Tonkin, who is vice president and general counsel of Ron Tonkin Dealerships in Portland, Ore.

Tonkin, who earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington, says his knowledge of the law will help lead the association through a myriad of legislative and regulatory challenges in 2010. Tonkin will be the second consecutive NADA chairman to follow his father in the position. Ron Tonkin led the association in 1989.

“I’ve always liked to be a part of shaping things,” said Tonkin. “I like the idea of being part of the solution, not part of the problem.”

Tonkin has represented Oregon’s new-car dealers on NADA’s board of directors since 2002. He has chaired the association’s legal and regulatory affairs and information technology committees, and served as General Motors’ representative on NADA’s industry relations committee, and as a member of the finance and executive committees.

Wade is president of Stephen Wade Auto Center in St. George, Utah. He served as president of the Utah Auto Dealers Association in 1981 and has represented the Utah’s new-car dealers on NADA’s board of directors since 2002. He is currently chairman of NADA’s industry relations committee and serves on the association’s dealership operations committee.

The election was held last week at NADA’s legislative conference in Washington, D.C. Tonkin and Wade will officially take office in February at NADA’s Convention & Exposition in Orlando, Fla.