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Ted Smith

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 2, 2026)— Today, Ted Smith, president of the Florida Automobile Dealers Association (FADA), was elected 2026 chairman of the Automotive Trade Association Executives (ATAE) at the ATAE annual winter meeting.  Smith is the 84th leader in the association’s 111-year history.

“I am honored to serve as the 2026 ATAE chairman and to help all our associations and dealers across the country navigate current challenges and prepare for the next,” said Smith. “I look forward to working with NADA chairman Rob Cochran and the rest of our state, metro, and Provincial dealer associations in the U.S. and Canada.”

Smith joined FADA in 2001 and represents Florida’s franchised new-car dealers. He is serving his second term on the ATAE board of directors and supports many local community organizations in the Tallahassee area.

Prior to joining FADA, Smith held several association executive positions and served in the Army National Guard. He obtained the CAE designation from the American Society of Association Executives and served four years on the ASAE board of directors and executive committee. Smith was born in Richmond, VA and earned his BS from Virginia Commonwealth University. 

ATAE represents more than 100 state and metro new car and commercial truck dealer associations in the U.S. and Canada. Its members work on legislative and regulatory challenges facing dealers and focus on educational and training programs, auto shows, conferences and other business services.