“It is an honor and privilege to be elected to serve as NADA board chairman for 2022,” said Alford, who represents North Carolina’s new-car dealers on the NADA board and is president of Marine Chevrolet Cadillac in Jacksonville, N.C. “Since 1917 NADA has been an ardent advocate for franchised new-car dealers. The opportunity to chair this dynamic group of automotive leaders is both exciting and humbling. We have an engaged board and talented team that stands ready to advance the interest of our more than 16,000 franchised dealers. I appreciate the trust and confidence of the board as we tirelessly pursue our work with all stakeholders on behalf of the dealer body.”
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Alford, 57, who currently serves as NADA vice chairman, will succeed Paul Walser, partner of Walser Automotive Group in Edina, Minn., as chairman.
Geoffrey Pohanka, 64, who represents new-car dealers in Metro Washington, D.C. and currently serves as chairman of NADA’s Industry Affairs Committee, was elected NADA vice chairman for 2022.
“I grew up in the car business. It’s an amazing, rewarding and exciting business, and we’re all so fortunate to be in it,” said Pohanka, third-generation dealer and president of the Pohanka Automotive Group that consists of sixteen automobile dealerships representing nine brands, located in Maryland, Virginia, and Texas. “My family has been involved in NADA for generations. NADA helped our company tremendously, and we’ve been giving back ever since. NADA has an amazing board and an amazing staff. And if we can help create a good environment for the industry, we can help create a vibrant economy and stronger communities. That’s what I want to do, and I promise to give it my utmost 110%.”
Tom Castriota, owner of Castriota Chevrolet, Inc. in Hudson, Fla., was elected as secretary. Kirt Frye, president of Sunnyside Automotive Group in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, was elected as treasurer.
The election took place at NADA’s board meeting on Oct. 19, 2021, which was held in Charleston, S.C.. The new terms begin at NADA Show 2022 in Las Vegas in March 2022.
The selection committee is set to accept nominations for future F&I Hall of Fame members following the induction of the Class of 2026 at last week’s Agent Summit.
Roughly 1,000 dealerships across the U.S. and Canada were named 2026 Dealer of the Year award winners by Cars.com, which based its list on customer reviews and dealer responsiveness.
Based on Consumer Reports’ new Safety Verdict score, Mazda makes the safest new cars on the road at a brand level, the highest percentage of its tested fleet earning the top score.
Cox Automotive subsidiary has relaunched its Brand Watch study as a twice-annual recap instead of yearly to 'offer a clearer view of brand and model consideration.'
The Honda Civic is named the most reliable new car for the money at $27,768 with a predicted 13½ year life span, breaking down to $2,058 annually, or less than half the industry average.
