National Automobile Dealers Association announces election of 2020 board chairman

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The National Automobile Dealers Association’s (NADA) board of directors elected Rhett Ricart as its 2020 chairman at NADA’s Oct. 15, board meeting in San Diego.

Ricart is president of Ricart Automotive Group in Groveport, Ohio, and represents Ohio new-car dealers on NADA’s board. He succeeds Charlie Gilchrist, who is Gilchrist Automotive president in Weatherford, Texas. He served as NADA vice chairman for 2019.

Ricart Automotive Group sells Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Nissan, as well as Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

“I love cars, I love people, I love this business, and I am blessed to have a wonderful wife and family,” Ricart said. “We must keep building on what’s been provided to us, and we must take advantage of the opportunity to protect and build upon our legacy.”

The 63-member board also elected Paul Walser as 2020 vice chairman. Walser is partner of Walser Automotive Group in Bloomington, Minn., and represents Minnesota’s new-car dealers on the NADA board.

Bill Willis was re-elected as secretary, and Bob Shuman was re-elected as treasurer.

Willis is president of Willis Chevrolet-Buick and Willis Ford in Smyrna, Del., while Shuman is president of Shuman Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram in Walled Lake, Mich.

The 2020 term begins in mid-February at NADA Show 2020 in Las Vegas.