The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) board of directors voted during its October meeting to elect officers for the 2018 term.
Wes Lutz was elected to the position of chairman. Lutz is president of Extreme Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram in Jackson, Michigan. He is the current NADA vice chairman and served on the board from 2001 to 2004.
Lutz said that, as chairman, he will advocate for new-car dealer concerns regarding legislation and regulation. He also aims to encourage dealerships to adapt to industry challenges.
“From start to finish, the nation’s franchised new-car dealership network has to benefit consumers in newer ways than ever before,” Lutz said.
Charlie Gilchrist was elected vice chairman. He is president of Southwest Ford in Weatherford, Texas, and a dealer for Buick-GMC, Nissan, and Mitsubishi.
Bill Willis was re-elected as secretary. He is president of Willis Automotive Group (Chevrolet-Buick-Ford) in Smyrna, Del.
Bob Shuman was elected treasurer. He is president of Shuman Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram in Walled Lake, Mich.
The new term begins in March at the 2018 NADA Show in Las Vegas.
NADA is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The association was founded when 30 dealers traveled to Washington D.C. to talk to Congressional members and convince them not to impose a luxury tax on cars.