MADA STATE OF THE UNION Chairman’s Message By Jeff Smith, Chairman, MADA As we move into the spring, I’m encouraged by the opportunities ahead for our dealership community and grateful for the chance to serve as your MADA chairman. One of my first duties as your chairman was representing Mississippi at the 2026 NADA Show in Las Vegas. For those of you who’ve attended over the years, you know the Show is more than just an industry gathering — it’s a powerful reminder of the strength and reach of our franchise dealer network. We also had the privilege of watching and hearing from our very own Michael Joe Cannon, who served as the Show chairman. This is a big job as he was the host on the main stage for all of the events. From connecting with dealers nationwide to hearing from world-class speakers and industry experts, the Show delivered insights on every facet of our business. The OEM meetings for every brand provided crucial face time with factory leadership. I was excited to join fellow dealers at the TIME Dealer of the Year ceremony, where our own Jonathan Allen was honored as Mississippi’s 2026 nominee. Jonathan’s recognition speaks to the caliber of professionalism and community commitment that defines our state’s dealer body. While MADA isn’t pursuing franchise law changes this legislative session, our commitment to protecting dealer interests remains our top priority. MADA President Marty Milstead maintains our daily presence at the State Capitol, scrutinizing every piece of legislation that is introduced and presented on the floor. There have been 2,991 general bills introduced this year, and we were able to stop several bills detrimental to dealerships. This proactive approach has served our membership well, and it continues to be a cornerstone of MADA’s advocacy work. Our 2025 Auto PAC fundraising was exceptional, and I want to personally thank every dealer who contributed. I also want to thank our chairman, Roger Bacon, for his 4
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTg3NDExNQ==