Pub. 2 2024 Issue 4 Everyday Heroes Among Us How the Teams at Belk Ford and Oxford Toyota Rose to the Occasion
10543 South Glenstone Place, Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225-769-9923 • theversantgroup.com MADA'S ENDORSED F&I PROVIDER OF PRODUCTS, TRAINING AND INCOME DEVELOPMENT A FEW OF OUR 50+ TEAM MEMBERS: Keith Decell President Jason Rasti Executive Vice President Cole Miller Director of Training Kenny Roberts Territory Manager Central MS Brandon Choina Territory Manager South MS Michael McLellan Regional Manager - MS Shelley Cavin Client Relations Manager Sunny Mayhall General Counsel
©2024 Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) | The newsLINK Group LLC. All rights reserved. Mississippi Auto Dealer is published four times each year by The newsLINK Group LLC for the MADA and is the official publication for this association. The information contained in this publication is intended to provide general information for review, consideration and education. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you need legal advice or assistance, it is strongly recommended that you contact an attorney as to your circumstances. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the MADA, its board of directors or the publisher. Likewise, the appearance of advertisements within this publication does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any product or service advertised. Mississippi Auto Dealer is a collective work, and as such, some articles are submitted by authors who are independent of MADA. While Mississippi Auto Dealer encourages a first-print policy, in cases where this is not possible, every effort has been made to comply with any known reprint guidelines or restrictions. Content may not be reproduced or reprinted without prior written permission. For further information, please contact the publisher at (855) 747-4003. 7 18 12 CHAIR’S MESSAGE 4 Connecting With Fellow Dealers Paxton King, Chairman, MADA 6 NADA Director’s Report By Michael Joe Cannon, NADA Director 7 MADA Regional Meetings Recap Uniting Mississippi’s Automotive Industry 10 A Day of Celebration at Keith White Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram An Interview with Jonathan White Everyday Heroes Among Us How the Teams at Belk Ford and Oxford Toyota Rose to the Occasion 18 Celebrating the Grand Reopening of Paul Moak Subaru 20 MADA Leadership Calls on Congress To Take Action 22 Good News for Dealers Attorney General Approves FTC Buyers Guide for “As Is” Sales 24 MADA Auto PAC 2024 Difference Makers 26 Auto PAC Wins on Election Day A Victory for Mississippi’s Automobile Industry CONTENTSPub. 2 2024 Issue 4 3
Connecting With Fellow Dealers Paxton King, Chairman, MADA The recent MADA regional meetings were a tremendous success. Traveling across the state with MADA President Marty Milstead gave me the opportunity to connect with fellow dealers and our industry partners. I want to extend a special thanks to the sponsors who made the regional meetings possible. A highlight of the meetings was hearing from various state leaders, including senators, representatives and the lieutenant governor in Jackson. One of the key responsibilities of the MADA chairman is to attend the annual NADA Washington Conference. The purpose of this event is to bring automobile dealers from across the country to meet with members of Congress and Senate, discussing issues critical to our industry. It had been years since my last visit to our nation’s capital, but walking the marble floors of the U.S. Capitol left a profound impression on me, reinforcing the importance of our association and its work on behalf of our dealers. With all the developments in Washington, without us directly bringing our message to Congress, our concerns clearly would not receive the attention they deserve. As expected, the primary focus of our conversations centered around electric vehicles (EVs). While the current administration demands more EVs to be produced, we as dealers face pressure from the manufacturers to overstock them, even as consumer demand remains inconsistent. However, we expect the EV mandates to change with the election of President Trump. Later in this publication, you will find a list of the dealers who contribute to the NADA PAC and the MADA Auto PAC. Having active political action committees is a vital part of our grassroots strategy. Years ago, our association leaders recognized the importance of supporting candidates who understand and advocate for our industry. This year, our NADA PAC supported Sen. Roger Wicker, Congressman Michael Guest, Trent Kelly and Mike Ezell. MADA Auto PAC contributed to Sen. Jenifer Branning in her race for the Mississippi Supreme Court. I am so proud of the way dealers make a difference. The story in this issue where Bell Ford and Oxford Toyota make it a mission to help those in need is a great example. Lastly, congratulations to Trudy Moody, the 2025 Mississippi TIME Dealer of the Year nominee! This is a well-deserved honor, and I know Trudy will represent MADA with distinction when she is recognized in New Orleans. It is an honor to serve as your chairman. Thank you again for this opportunity, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can be of assistance. Sincerely, Paxton King Chair’s Message 4
NADA Director’s Report By Michael Joe Cannon, NADA Director Serving as Mississippi’s NADA Director is an honor. There are no shortages of issues that we are working on that are of major importance to franchised dealers across the country. DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER SALES BY SCOUT MOTORS You may have seen the news about Volkswagen-owned Scout Motors’ decision to bypass its dealer network and sell vehicles directly to consumers. Many states, including Mississippi, have laws preventing manufacturers from establishing retail operations that would unfairly compete with local dealerships. This situation is sure to evolve in interesting ways. Mike Stanton, president and CEO of NADA, expressed disappointment at Volkswagen’s decision, stating, “Volkswagen’s decision to attempt to sell Scout vehicles direct to consumers and compete with its U.S. dealer partners is disappointing and misguided, and it will be challenged.” FTC VEHICLE SHOPPING RULE NADA, alongside the Texas Automobile Dealers Association (TADA), is currently challenging the FTC’s Vehicle Shopping Rule. A hearing was held on Oct. 9 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. We aim to prevent this rule from taking effect, as it was unlawfully issued without required advance notice. Key issues with the rule include: • Lack of connection between findings and the decision to impose such an extensive rule. • Unreasonable evaluation of the rule’s benefits and costs. CONGRESSIONAL EFFORTS AGAINST THE RULE NADA is advocating for the FTC REDO Act (H.R. 7101/S. 3014), which aims to block the Vehicle Shopping Rule and require the FTC to follow standard regulatory procedures, such as advanced notice and cost-benefit analysis. Additionally, NADA supports a provision in the FY25 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill (H.R. 8773) to temporarily stop the rule’s enforcement. While this bill is currently stalled, we remain committed to seeing it included in any year-end spending bill. WHY THIS MATTERS The Center for Automotive Research’s recent study highlights the rule’s significant impact: • Will add at least an hour to the vehicle purchase process due to new disclosures and documentation. • Will cost consumers and dealers $24.1 billion over 10 years. • Will impose an average compliance cost of $31,450 per dealership and an annual cost of $39,862. It’s clear that a unified voice in Washington is essential to protect the interests of franchised automobile dealers. Thank you for your ongoing support, and please reach out if I can assist you in any way. 6
MADA Regional Meetings Recap Uniting Mississippi’s Automotive Industry TUPELO MEETING HATTIESBURG MEETING Marty Milstead and Sen. Chris Johnson Each fall, the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) brings its members together through a series of regional meetings across the state. These meetings provide a crucial forum for automobile dealers and industry partners to stay informed on key issues affecting the automotive sector and the state’s economic landscape. Led by MADA Chairman Paxton King, general manager of Stan King GM Superstore in Brookhaven, and MADA President Marty Milstead, the meetings took place in seven different locations, ensuring members across Mississippi could engage in the conversation. Chairman King shared insights on his involvement with MADA and underscored JACKSON MEETING MADA dealers with Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann 7
BILOXI MEETING Marty Milstead, Kevin Felsher and MADA Chairman Paxton King the opportunities available for the next generation of automobile dealers. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a unified voice and working collaboratively to address the challenges facing the industry. A highlight of the meetings was hearing from the Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann and state legislators who discussed Mississippi’s forward momentum. Their presence and the dialogue reinforced the state’s commitment to fostering a thriving business environment for the automotive industry. BROOKHAVEN MEETING HERNANDO MEETING MERIDIAN MEETING 8
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A Day of Celebration at Keith White Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram An Interview with Jonathan White On Oct. 23, 2024, the Keith White Automotive Group celebrated the opening of the Keith White Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Located in the charming town of Brookhaven, Mississippi, just off U.S. 51, this store marks the second location of this incredible family-run business. The first store, Keith White Ford, is located a short 30 miles away in McComb, Mississippi. For the past 14 years, through hard work, the dealership has established itself as a predominant part of the community. The White family — father, Keith, and his two sons, Jonathan and Jeffrey — hope to make this new store in Brookhaven just as significant by providing local jobs, boosting the economy and becoming a pillar of community support. Brookhaven has always been a car town, with a good number of dealerships. With a downtown area that has really boomed over the past 10 years and a growing population, it is a desirable place to live, to work and a great place to raise a family. The White family knows just how wonderful the Brookhaven community is. Keith lived, worked and raised his family in the idyllic small town. He and his two sons always shared a dream of having a dealership in Brookhaven, so when a store became available, they jumped at the opportunity to purchase it. “It was perfect! The dealership was basically new, having been built in 2019. And because of the people we know and the relationships we have in Brookhaven, opening a location there feels like we are coming home,” said Jonathan. “The Brookhaven store was in a great location and just needed a little help,” said Jonathan. “So, with our knowledge of the auto industry and what we’ve done in our other store, we were able to bring that in and implement all of our processes and procedures — it’s helped out a lot.” Together, they share responsibility for running both stores, going wherever they are needed to ensure the highest of standards are met. Having been in the industry for over 40 years, Keith has accumulated much knowledge and industry experience and has worked hard to pass his wisdom on to his sons. Instilling in them the importance of taking care of customers has been key to years of success. “People can go anywhere and buy a vehicle, but just coming to us and having the experience they have with us — that’s what makes us different,” said Jonathan. “We’re a small town, so we thrive off of repeat business. We can’t afford to not have repeat business. So, taking care of the customer is vital and part of the building block of retaining them and bringing them back in,” Jonathan shared. “And if we treat the customer right, their family and friends will become customers as well.” Additionally, to ensure the customer experience goes above and beyond, each vehicle purchased comes with a lifetime powertrain warranty, at no cost to the customer. “We want our customers to have overall peace of mind and comfort when purchasing from us — knowing that we are here for them, for the lifetime of the car, and beyond,” Jonathan said. “We’re here to help you find your new ride, service your car after the sale and just make sure you have an overall great experience.” The warm, welcoming attitude and excitement of Keith, Jonathan, Jeffrey and the whole Keith White Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram family was on display at the ribbon-cutting. Brookhaven’s mayor, Joe Cox, the local Chamber of Commerce as well as friends and family came out to help celebrate the momentous occasion. “Marty Milstead joined the festivities as well, sharing in the experience, which was a big deal to us. We really appreciate him doing that,” Jonathan said. The community joined in the celebration as well, with approximately 60 people showing up. Everyone was treated to food and drinks and was invited to stick around to spend some time checking out vehicles and getting to know Keith, Jonathan, Jeffrey and the entire team. “We wanted to reassure everybody that if they come to us, they’ll get great sales and service, and if they ever need something, one of us will be there at all times.” Congratulations, Keith, Jonathan, Jeffrey and the entire team! We wish you years of success filled with happy customers who become lifelong friends. 10
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Will Belk is a fourth-generation dealer. He continues the Belk family legacy of caring for the community that his great-grandfather and grandfather started when they opened the dealership in 1945. Today, the Belk family has two stores — Belk Ford and Oxford Toyota — located right next to each other and run as sister stores. Jamison Roane has 18 years of cumulative experience in the industry. He worked for the Belk family of dealerships from 2007-13 and jumped at the opportunity to return to work with them in June 2024. Jamison is currently the general sales manager at Oxford Toyota; in the six short months that he’s been there, he knows that he is where he belongs. He is home. It is often said that hard times don’t create heroes, but it is during hard times that the hero within us is revealed. And in this instance, many heroes rose to the occasion. Everyday Heroes Among Us How the Teams at Belk Ford and Oxford Toyota Rose to the Occasion 12
On Saturday, Sept. 28, Will and Jamison had plans to take the visiting Toyota representative out for the day, show him around town and relax while watching a little football. The Ole Miss Rebels and Kentucky Wildcats were facing off at Vaught Hemingway Stadium. Although Ole Miss lost to Kentucky, the day was a success when it came to business and building relationships. Unbeknownst to the group, at the same time they were cheering for their team, Hurricane Helene was unleashing devastation on neighboring states. The Category 4 hurricane showed no mercy as large swaths of North Carolina and Tennessee were washed away in the subsequent flooding. Sunday came and went for both Will and Jamison. They were both aware that the storm had hit but had no idea that multiple dams had broken and so many fellow Americans were facing dire circumstances. Early Monday morning, even before he got to work, Will started receiving alarming calls from a couple of his employees. The employees had family members who lost everything in the floods of Hurricane Helene. One of those employees, Benny, asked if a trailer could be placed at the dealership, near the road, in view of passersby, letting everyone know that donations were being accepted for the victims. Without hesitation, Will said, “Yeah! Let’s get a cargo trailer, and we’ll put it out front.” After hanging up, Will jumped into action, alerting Jamison and others to the dire situation, calling the local radio station and asking for airtime, and getting a sign made to hang on the trailer. “The trailer was there within a matter of hours,” Jamison said. “We hung the donation sign and the American flag on the trailer and parked it close to the highway so it would catch a lot of attention.” That afternoon, Will and Jamison got on the radio and asked the local community for help. The first donation came within a few hours. “I remember the first person from the public who came to drop something off. It was that Monday afternoon, and we were so excited!” Will continued, “We weren’t sure 13
who would show up so we went out and purchased several items ourselves to start filling the trailer and get the ball rolling.” But people started showing up — in numbers, some even late at night — dropping donations off outside the trailer. The entire community got behind the effort, from local churches and the police department to fraternities and sororities. A few days into the ever-growing relief efforts, Will stayed late at the office to catch up on work when the most selfless act of compassion occurred. “I was here by myself, and it was around 10:00 p.m. I happened to look out the window, and I saw a lady outside in the lot. I knew her personally as she rented a house from me years ago. She is in her late 60s, cleans houses for a living and could use some assistance herself,” Will recalled. “She was dropping off donations at the trailer, so I went outside to speak with her. While dropping off bags of clothes, she noticed me standing there and handed me a $50 bill to put in the cash donation jar we had inside. I was so humbled and touched.” 14
So many donations arrived in such a short amount of time that a 27-foot Penske moving truck was rented, in addition to the trailer, to handle the sheer volume. Loading the donations was another matter. The Belk Ford and Oxford Toyota teams pitched in to physically load the trailer themselves. However, the donations didn’t stop, and the truck was loaded and unloaded four times in an effort to make everything fit. The physical donations kept coming, and people also showed up one after another to donate their time. “One of the most impactful moments to me was when, without being asked, two different fraternities, the Ole Miss Soccer coach and his son, police officers and a number of high school students all showed up to help,” Jamison said. “They formed a human chain all the way out to the highway and were tossing cases of donated water to each other off an 18-wheeler.” 15
By Friday, a group of volunteers, including Will, was ready to head out and deliver much-needed supplies. They had heard talk that FEMA was stopping donations from getting in. A plan was carefully made as to the route that would be taken to the Cocke County, Tennessee, area. As the group got closer to their destination, they saw how bad things were for themselves. “We drove through an area along the river that had been completely flooded. Homes were washed out, mobile homes were turned over, and debris and trees were strewn everywhere. Everything was covered in silt and mud,” Will said. “The Highway Patrol had many roads blocked off, but we were able to make it up to a little church that was elevated in the hills.” The scene was sobering. The whole area had been washed away, except for the Pigeon Valley Church. The church was being used as a makeshift drop center. They had been collecting supplies, and as they took them in, local people with four-wheel drive 16
trucks, jeeps and ATVs would load the supplies on their vehicles and head out, looking for survivors. “It was a beautiful thing to see how the community came together so quickly, not just here at Oxford with the people generously donating, but the people in the devastated communities,” Will said. “They didn’t have the government assistance you would think they would. It was simply community members coming together, helping their fellow neighbors.” The story doesn’t stop here — from the relief efforts that were started early on a Monday morning to just four days later delivering life-saving supplies to devastated communities — future deliveries are being planned as the donations keep coming. Hats off to Will, Jamison, the Belk Ford and Oxford Toyota teams, and the entire community of Oxford, Mississippi. Your simple acts of kindness have shown us all what it means to be an American. 17
Celebrating the Grand Reopening of Paul Moak Subaru For almost 25 years — and as the only Subaru dealer in the state of Mississippi — the team at Paul Moak Subaru has been helping customers reach their destinations safely in their all-wheel drive Subarus. When the store first opened, the Subaru brand was not well known in the southern part of the country, but over the years, customers have come to realize the advantages of driving a Subaru. The team at Paul Moak Subaru has worked hard to grow the brand, and it shows. Paul Moak Subaru has been awarded the Love Promise Customer & Community Commitment Award each year since 2016. This award recognizes elite Subaru retailers who provide exceptional customer experiences at every interaction as well as a commitment to the community. With all this success and a growing customer base, the decision was made to expand and remodel the dealership. In May 2023, construction began, and nine months later, the beautiful new facility was complete. The updates to the service department, in particular, are something that the entire team was excited about. The spacious, new, double-lane, enclosed service drive is climate-controlled, ensuring that guests can comfortably take care of business no matter the weather. To add even more excitement, Paul Moak Subaru became an official Subaru Express Service dealership this past July. This service does not require an appointment, and minor maintenance can be done quickly. Customers can stop by, trust that factory-trained technicians will get them in, service their car and have them back on the road, fast. How amazing is that? In August, Paul Moak Subaru invited the community to come out and help them celebrate their grand reopening. The day of the event was planned down to the very last detail. Each team member played a significant role, from greeter and valet to tour guide and attendants, ensuring that guests were treated to a good measure of Southern hospitality. Employees all wore matching polo shirts and nametags so they could be easily identified if needed. As guests arrived, they were directed to the double-lane service drive, which acted as a valet service. Upon entering the store, guests were given dealership tours, allowing them to get a behind-the-scenes look at each department. This event wasn’t just about the new facility but also about celebrating the community and the partners that Paul Moak Subaru supports through The Subaru Love Promise throughout the year. A red carpet led guests to the designated entrance point into the new showroom. As they walked in, the first thing they saw were tables for each of the Love Promise initiatives with signage, posters and a matching table drape. There was also a representative from each of the local partners so as guests walked through, they could learn more about the programs and their missions of goodwill and charity, including: • Community Animal Rescue & Adoption (CARA), supported through Subaru Loves Pets. • Stewpot Community Services and Operation Warm, supported through Subaru Loves to Help. • Children’s of Mississippi and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, supported through Subaru Loves to Care. • North Jackson Elementary/Jackson Public Schools, supported through Subaru Loves Learning. 18
A stage was set up, and a short program was held where Paul Moak Jr., Jeanne Moak-Scarbrough and her husband, John Scarborough, briefly shared their thoughts about the day and what it means to be a third-generation, family-owned and operated dealership. To them, it is so much more than a job. They live there, they work there, they employ here and they help keep the economy going. Over the past 80 years, the Paul Moak Automotive family has shown that this business is not only about selling cars and the customer but also about having a positive impact on the community. The Moak family loves the community of Jackson, Mississippi, and it shows. Congratulations, Paul Moak Subaru, on your grand reopening! Here’s to many more years of success! 19
MADA Leadership Calls on Congress To Take Action 20
In a unified effort, key leaders from the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) joined forces with dealers and dealer association executives from across the nation during the NADA Washington Conference. MADA Chairman Paxton King, NADA Director Michael Joe Cannon, Auto PAC Chairman Roger Bacon and MADA President Marty Milstead traveled to Capitol Hill to urge Congress to address critical issues impacting car dealerships and their customers. NEW FTC RULE HARMS CAR BUYERS A major concern raised by the MADA delegation was the Federal Trade Commission’s Vehicle Shopping Rule (VSR), which is set to introduce significant challenges for both consumers and dealers. Rather than streamlining the car-buying process, the rule could inundate buyers with extensive paperwork, making the purchase of a vehicle more difficult and less enjoyable. The VSR, finalized despite significant procedural shortcomings and a lack of robust data analysis, is expected to add a crippling $38 billion in costs over the next decade, according to a study by the Center for Automotive Research. Instead of fostering transparency, this regulation threatens to burden the car-buying experience with unnecessary red tape, ultimately raising costs and causing confusion for customers. ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANDATES GO TOO FAR, TOO FAST Dealers across the nation are united in opposing the EPA’s aggressive electric vehicle (EV) mandates, which call for 56% of all vehicle sales to be electric by 2032. These targets ignore the current consumer demand, financial realities and infrastructure readiness, especially in regions like Mississippi. With inadequate charging infrastructure, limited incentives and the high upfront costs of EVs, millions of Americans — especially those from low-income households — may find themselves priced out of the new vehicle market. During their meetings, MADA leaders urged Mississippi’s congressional delegation to take a stand against the EPA’s de facto EV mandates, which threaten to create an unaffordable and impractical vehicle market for average consumers. In their appeal to Congress, MADA underscored the importance of creating policies that reflect the realities of the automotive industry, consumer needs and the economic well-being of the nation. 21
Good News for Dealers Attorney General Approves FTC Buyers Guide for “As Is” Sales At the request of MADA, Attorney General Lynn Fitch has approved the use of the FTC Buyers Guide for sales where the vehicle is sold “As Is.” This simplifies the paperwork for dealers. Conditions for “As Is” Sales: Mississippi law permits vehicles to be sold “As Is” only if the car is more than 6 years old or has over 75,000 miles. WHY IS THIS NEEDED? Under Section 75-2-316, Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated, the dealership is required to give notice of an “As Is” sale on a form prescribed by the Attorney General. This form is called a “Notice of Exclusion or Modification of Implied Warranty.” Additionally, the dealership must fully explain to the purchaser that there is no warranty being provided on the vehicle. As you are aware, previous administrations had a different form than the FTC Buyers Guide. Streamlining Forms: The Attorney General’s office agreed that requiring two separate forms — the state-specific one and the FTC Buyers Guide — was confusing. Therefore, the FTC Buyers Guide alone must now be used. Signature Requirement: The buyer must sign the FTC Buyers Guide in the designated area to acknowledge the sale conditions. Obtaining the Form: Dealerships can obtain the appropriate FTC Buyers Guide with a signature line from Reynolds and Reynolds, MADA’s endorsed form provider, by calling (800) 344-0996 (Form BG30117). This decision aims to reduce confusion and streamline the sales process for both dealers and customers. 22
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GOLD STAR CLUB (Pledged $5,000 or More Annually) Michael Joe Cannon Cannon Motor Company Cannon Kirk Kirk Auto Company Joe Marshall Barnes Crossing Automotive Group Walt Massey Walt Massey Automotive PRESIDENTS CLUB (Pledged $1,000 or More Annually) Jonathan Allen J. Allen Toyota, J. Allen Ford, J. Allen Mazda David Andrews Chief Automotive Group Bob Aubrey Patty Peck Honda Bob Boyte Bob Boyte Honda, Bob Boyte Chevrolet Ryan Brinkmeier Mac Haik Mississippi Drew DePriest All-Star Chevrolet Jeff Field Landers Automotive Group Stephen Franks Franks Chevrolet GMC, Crowson Auto World Reed Howell Herrin-Gear Automotive Group Paul Moak Paul Moak Automotive Trudy Moody Mercedes-Benz of Jackson Hal Parker Parker Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Tony Petro Petro Nissan Automotive Alton Pierce Toyota of Hattiesburg Jared Waldrop Pine Belt Motors Michael Wallis Rogers-Dabbs Chevrolet Brad Yarbrough Natchez Ford Lincoln GOVERNORS CLUB (Pledged $700-$900 Annually) Lee Allen Johnson Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Kia Roger Bacon Mossy of Picayune, Nissan of Picayune Rudy Dossett Dossett Big 4 Bill Russell Bill Russell Ford Lincoln Chris Stuben Benson Automotive Group Mike Tierney Acura of Jackson Michael Van Veckhoven New South Ford Nissan 2024 24
SENATE CLUB (Pledged $500-$699 Annually) Dwayne Blackmon Dwayne Blackmon Chevrolet Lee Carney Express Terry Danny Dossett Dossett GMC Cadillac Rick Foley Turan Foley Chevrolet Cadillac Buick Jimmy Gray Jimmy Gray Chevrolet Kim Hobbs Kim’s Toyota Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Tom Hudson Fowler Buick GMC Nat Keating Toyota of Jackson Paxton King Stan King GM Superstore Bo Mandal Mandal Automotive Group Jeff Smith Crossroads Chevrolet GMC Robert Weinmann Champion Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Mike Whatley Mike Whatley Honda HOUSE CLUB (Pledged $200-$499 Annually) Michael Beebe Rainbow Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram McComb Richard Belk Oxford Toyota Tab Bennett Davis Ford Sales Jeb Blackburn Blackburn Nissan, Blackburn Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Adam Bowen Legacy GMC of Laurel, Legacy Chevrolet GMC Collins Matt Bowers Matt Bowers Nissan of South MS Michael Burroughs Burrough’s Diesel Carlock Automotive Group James Ceranti James Ceranti Nissan, James Ceranti Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Corey Clark Clark Ford Larry Clark Larry Clark Chevrolet GMC Miles Culbertson Astro Ford of MS Steve Eaton Eaton Chevrolet GMC Clint Favre Lakeshore of Picayune Mike Gregory Triple M Motors Bill Griffis Griffis Motors Mack Grubbs Mack Grubbs Hyundai Andy Harper Paw Paw’s Camper City Carl Hogan Carl Hogan Honda Bryan Johnson Allen Samuels Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Tony Lamoureux Kia of McComb Anthony Legeaux Premier Ford of Waveland Ted Marshall Marshall Ford Company Ryan Mayer Tameron Gulf Coast Dean McCrary Dean McCrary Kia Garrett McDonald Principle Toyota of Hernando Mitch Mosley Southern Chevrolet Bryan Oakes Oakes Toyota Jason Pilger Jason Pilger Hyundai Lauren Wilson Reeves Wilson Kia Bobby Regan Star Chevrolet Charles Rigdon Columbus Nissan Robert Tolbert Tolbert Chevrolet Jimmy Walker Laurel Ford Lincoln Mike Waters Waters Truck & Tractor Co. Mike West Direct Auto Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Keith White Keith White Ford Difference Makers 25
Cliff Mitchell, Congressman Michael Guest, Marty Milstead Michael Joe Cannon, Sen. Roger Wicker, Marty Milstead Auto PAC Wins on Election Day A Victory for Mississippi’s Automobile Industry Mississippi’s automobile dealers have long been committed to the political process, recognizing the critical role it plays in shaping the future of the industry. Their support of the National Automobile Dealers Association Political Action Committee (NADA PAC) and the MADA Auto PAC is a key component of the association’s grassroots political strategy. This year’s elections saw significant victories for MADA, with the successful re-election of several key federal representatives, including Sen. Roger Wicker, Congressman Mike Ezell, Congressman Michael Guest and Congressman Trent Kelly. These contributions, facilitated through the NADA PAC, reflect MADA’s dedication to ensuring that the interests of Mississippi’s automobile dealers are well-represented at the federal level. On the state front, MADA’s focus on the judicial system led to critical support for State Sen. Jenifer Branning in her bid for the Mississippi Supreme Court. The state PAC’s contribution to her campaign highlights the association’s commitment to maintaining a fair and balanced judiciary. Sen. Branning now leads in a runoff against incumbent Justice Jim Kitchens, in what is seen as a pivotal race for the state’s highest court. Through these efforts, MADA continues to demonstrate its influence and dedication to advocating for the future of the automotive industry in Mississippi. 26
Anticipate every turn In an industry that’s always evolving, your dealership can rely on our Dealer Financial Services team’s 90 years of experience to see what’s around the corner, forward-thinking insights to prepare you, and technology to keep you ahead of the curve. What would you like the power to do?® Thomas Ballard, thomas.ballard@bofa.com business.bofa.com/dealer ©2024 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. DFS-699-AD 5949042 Investment products offered by Investment Banking Affiliates: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value “Bank of America” and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names used by the Global Banking and Global Markets divisions of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, other commercial banking activities, and trading in certain financial instruments are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Trading in securities and financial instruments, and strategic advisory, and other investment banking activities, are performed globally by investment banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“Investment Banking Affiliates”), including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc., which is a registered broker-dealer and Member of SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. BofA Securities, Inc. is a registered futures commission merchant with the CFTC and a member of the NFA.
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