Earlier this summer at our Annual Meeting and Family Convention at The Greenbrier, I had the privilege of being elected to serve another year as chairman of NCADA. When I began this role last year, I certainly did not expect that I would be starting a second term as chairman 12 months later. But circumstances sometimes change plans, and I am both honored and grateful for the confidence our board and membership have placed in me to continue serving. More importantly, I am glad to have the opportunity. My first year as chairman gave me an even greater appreciation for just how much goes into making NCADA the strong association it is today. As members, we see many of the results: the legislative victories, meetings and educational programs, communications, special events and, of course, a great annual convention. But serving as chairman provides a closer look at the tremendous amount of work that happens behind the scenes throughout the year. It also reinforces something I have always believed: The real strength of this association is its people. That was certainly evident at The Greenbrier. Our annual convention is always an opportunity to step away from the daily demands of our dealerships, reconnect with friends from across the state and spend some time together as an industry. This year’s meeting was no exception. It was great to see so many dealers and families participate, and I left reminded once again that NCADA is much more than an association. It is a community of people who share the same challenges, opportunities and commitment to our industry. That sense of community is especially important today. The automobile business continues to change rapidly. New technologies, changing customer expectations, evolving manufacturer programs, regulatory requirements and constant changes in the marketplace create challenges that none of us can address entirely on our own. Having a strong association gives us a common voice and a place to work together on those issues. I have also gained an even greater appreciation over the past year for the importance of dealer involvement. NCADA has an outstanding staff working on our behalf every day, but an association is ultimately only as strong as the members who participate in it. Whether it is responding when an important legislative issue arises, supporting our AutoPAC efforts, attending an association event, serving on the Board or a committee, mentoring a young dealer or simply sharing an issue that is affecting your dealership, that involvement makes a difference. One of the things I hope we can continue to build upon during the coming year is the level of engagement across our membership. We have experienced dealers who have been involved with NCADA for decades, along with a new generation of leaders beginning to take more active roles in their dealerships and in our association. Bringing those groups together and making sure the next generation understands the importance of NCADA will be critical to our long-term success. I am thankful for the opportunity to continue representing an industry and an association that have meant a great deal to me throughout my career. Serving as chairman is an honor, but it is also a reminder that each of us who has the opportunity to serve NCADA is simply a temporary steward of something that has been built by generations of North Carolina dealers before us. Our responsibility is to leave it a little stronger for those who come next. I appreciate the confidence you have placed in me for another year, and I look forward to working with our Board, our NCADA team and all of you as we continue moving this association forward together. Rob King NCADA Chairman CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN Grateful for Another Year By ROB L. KING III, Chairman, NCADA 4
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