The American International Automobile Dealers Association (sometimes abbreviated as AIADA) is a United States lobbying force dedicated to the economic and political interests of America's international nameplate automobile dealers. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia

Alexandria, Virginia

Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...

, its primary focus is on promoting free trade

Free trade

Under a free trade policy, prices emerge from supply and demand, and are the sole determinant of resource allocation. 'Free' trade differs from other forms of trade policy where the allocation of goods and services among trading countries are determined by price strategies that may differ from...

 and opposing tax increases.

History

AIADA was established in 1970 as the Volkswagen Dealers Association in response to a growing protectionist movement in the United States. On September 10, 1970 the first Board of Directors meeting of the Volkswagen American Dealers Association (VADA) was held. The officers elected were David H. Gezon, President; Ken Sowles, Vice President; Richard Kronman, Secretary; and Bob Miller, Treasurer. Bob McElwaine became VADA's first Executive Vice President.

On January 30, 1970 VADA opened membership to any franchised dealer of imported automobiles and changed its name to the American Imported Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA). "Imported" was later changed to "international." Ken Sowles became the association's second president. Its current president is Cody Lusk.

Today AIADA represents more than 10,000 international dealers and over 500,000 of their employees. AIADA is also a supporter of Americans Well-informed on Automobile Retailing Economics

Americans Well-informed on Automobile Retailing Economics

AWARE is a national nonprofit organization that was formed in 2005 to enhance consumer understanding of the vehicle financing process..- Background :...

(AWARE), in order to further consumer education on automobile financing.

Board Members

Jim Smail - Chairman

Ray Mungenast - Chairman Elect

Jenell Ross - Vice Chairman

Larry Kull - Secretary/Treasurer

Rick DeSilva- Immediate Past Chairman

George Brochick

Dave Conant

Allen Courter

Jack Fitzgerald

Don Herring

Brad Hoffman

Greg Kaminsky

Jeff Morrill

Peggy Proko

Robert V. Rohrman

George Sharpe

Brad Strong

Morrie Wagener

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