Industry Relations Team
We're the dealer's advocate in dealer/manufacturer relations, addressing concerns with manufacturers and distributors.
Leadership
Geoffrey Pohanka
Industry Relations Acura Liaison
Geoffrey Pohanka is Chairman of Pohanka Automotive Group in Capitol Heights, MD. He started in the automotive business in 1971, working summers in his father's dealership. He is a third-generation dealer. The company was originally founded by his grandfather in 1919 selling and servicing Chevrolets. Today, the Pohanka Automotive Group sells fifteen makes of vehicles at their locations in Maryland, Virginia, Texas and Delaware. Pohanka was the 2023 chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association and represents the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors. He previously served on the NADA board from 2001 to 2009.
Rob Cochran
Industry Relations Infiniti Liaison
Rob Cochran is President & CEO of #1 Cochran, Western Pennsylvania's largest automotive retailer. Cochran started his career in the automotive business in 1987 upon graduating from Carnegie Mellon University. He served as Executive Vice President from 1987-1992 and became President & CEO in 1992. Cochran represents Western Pennsylvania's franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Contact
Industry Relations Staff
Michael Regan
As senior vice president of industry affairs, Michael T. Regan directs the activities of NADA's Industry Relations and International Affairs groups. Previously, he served as AutoNation, Inc.'s director of Industry Relations and as associate director of NADA’s Industry Relations.
Todd Milbury
Todd Milbury is Vice President of Industry Relations, working to engage the major automotive manufacturing companies on issues important to NADA dealer members. These issues range from operational programs and policies unique to one brand, to ecosystem topics that impact the current and future success of all dealers and the health of the auto industry.
Patrick Manzi, PhD is NADA’s Chief Economist. In this role, Patrick works with both NADA as well the American Truck Dealers (ATD), a division of NADA.
Patrick regularly speaks to various audiences about the auto industry and is responsible for many of the association’s monthly and annual economic reports including NADA Data and ATD Data.
A native West Virginian, Patrick received both his undergraduate and doctorate degrees in Economics from West Virginia University. Patrick currently resides in Falls Church, VA.
Brian Cleary
Industry Relations Team
Jeff Aiosa
Industry Relations Mercedes-Benz Liaison
Jeff Aiosa is president and owner of Carriage House in New London, Conn. He started in the automotive business in 1980 as a technician and became owner/operator of his own Mercedes-Benz dealership in 1990. Aiosa represents Connecticut's franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Michael Alford
Industry Relations GM Co. Liaison
Michael K. Alford, dealer principal of Marine Chevrolet in Jacksonville, N.C., and Trent Buick GMC and Trent Cadillac in New Bern, N.C., was 2022 NADA chairman. A new-car dealer since 1997, Alford attended the NADA Academy. He is committed to supporting the military and employs many former service members; in 2007 he chaired the NC Military Growth Task Force, assembling local leaders to address social and infrastructure needs of Marine Corps bases in North Carolina. Alford was the recipient of the 2013 TIME Dealer of the Year.
Trace Beck
Industry Relations Cadillac Liaison
Trace Beck is president of Beck Motors Inc. in Pierre, S.D. His parent bought the dealership in 1969. Beck grew up working at the family dealership and began his career right out of college. Beck serves on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association, representing South Dakota’s franchised new-car dealers.
Thomas A. Bloomfield
Industry Relations Jaguar/Land Rover/Lexus Liaison
Tom Bloomfield is general manager/partner of Don Thornton Automotive Group in Tulsa, Okla. He started in the automotive business in 1988 at Don Thornton Ford in Tulsa. He held multiple positions in the dealership. Bloomfield represents Oklahoma's franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Michael Joe Cannon
Industry Relations Nissan Liaison
Michael Joe Cannon is owner of Cannon Motor Company in Greenwood, Miss. He started in the automotive business working at his dad's used-car lot in Calhoun City. Cannon left his job as an assistant football coach to go back home and run the business after his dad passed away. Cannon represents Mississippi's franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Richard “Rick” DeSilva, Jr.
Industry Relations Subaru Liaison
Rick DeSilva Jr. is dealer of Liberty Subaru in Emerson, N.J., Genesis of Mahwah and Liberty Hyundai in Mahwah, N.J., and Liberty Kia in Ramsey, N.J. Rick is a second generation dealer, starting his career in the retail automotive business at 12 years old, washing cars at his family’s Subaru dealership. After graduating college, he worked on the wholesale side for 6 years with Toyota Motor Sales before rejoining the family business in 2003. DeSilva represents New Jersey's franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Roger Elswick
Industry Relations Honda Liaison
Roger Elswick is president of Elswick Automotive in Baytown, Texas. Elswick Automotive consist of Community Toyota, Community Honda and Community Kia in Baytown, TX and Community Honda in Lafayette, LA. He became a new car franchised dealer in 2005. Elswick represents South Texas's franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Gary Gilchrist
Industry Relations Chevrolet Liaison
Gary Gilchrist is president of Gilchrist Chevrolet Buick GMC, Inc. in Tacoma, Wash. He started in the automotive business in 1977 selling cars in Tacoma after graduating from college. Gilchrist is 2024 chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association and represents Washington's franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors.
Ryan Gremore
Industry Relations Hyundai/Mitsubishi Liaison
Ryan Gremore is president of O'Brien Auto Team in Bloomington and Normal, Ill. O'Brien Auto Team consists of 5 dealerships selling 6 different makes. He started in the automotive business in 1998 after high school. He's held positions such as, salesman, sales manager, general sales manager, general manager before becoming president. Gremore represents Illinois's franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Mark Hebert
Industry Relations Stellantis Liaison
Mark Hebert is president of Hebert’s Town & Country Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Shreveport, La., Hebert's Town & Country Ford Lincoln in Minden, La. and Legacy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Natchitoches, La. Hebert is a second-generation dealer. He started in the automotive business in 1983 working at Bob Post Chrysler Plymouth. Hebert represents Louisiana's franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Donald P. Hicks
Industry Relations Porsche Liaison
Donald P. Hicks is president of Shortline Auto Group in Aurora, Colo. He started in the automotive business in 1972 at Courtesy Ford in Littleton, Colo., and has held various positions in the industry. Hicks represents Colorado's franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
John McClurg
Industry Relations Stellantis Liaison
John McClurg is president of McClurg Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and McClurg Chevrolet Buick in Perry, N.Y. He started in the automotive business in the parts department in 1980. He became president after working as a parts manager, salesman and dealer. McClurg represents New York’s franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Christopher Meier
Industry Relations Volkswagen/Volvo Liaison
Christopher Meier is a partner at Herzog-Meier Auto Center in Beaverton, Ore., which has been in business since 1957. He started out washing cars at age 12 and rejoined the business in 1993 at the age of 25. Meier represents Oregon’s franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Steve Middlebrooks
Industry Relations Toyota Liaison
Steve Middlebrooks is dealer principal of Heyward Allen Toyota and Heyward Allen Cadillac Buick GMC in Athens, Ga. He has been with the Heyward Allen Motor Company since 1973. Middlebrooks represents Georgia's franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
John S. Oyler
Industry Relations BMW Liaison
John S. Oyler is dealer principal of Faulkner Nissan of Jenkintown, Pa. The Faulkner Auto Group consists of 30 dealerships that carry 20 different makes throughout central and eastern Pennsylvania. He started in the automotive business in 1975 when he began representing buyers and sellers of dealerships in buy/sell transactions. Oyler serves on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association, representing Eastern Pennsylvania’s franchised new-car dealers.
Tony Pack
Industry Relations Ford Liaison
Tony Pack is vice president of Sam Pack Auto Group, which include four Ford dealerships, one Chevrolet dealership and a Subaru dealership, located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He started in the automotive business in 1980 working for his father’s Ford-Carrollton dealership. He worked in sales, parts, service, accounting, F&I and office management before becoming vice president. Pack represents Northern Texas's franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Geoffrey Pohanka
Industry Relations Acura Liaison
Geoffrey Pohanka is Chairman of Pohanka Automotive Group in Capitol Heights, MD. He started in the automotive business in 1971, working summers in his father's dealership. He is a third-generation dealer. The company was originally founded by his grandfather in 1919 selling and servicing Chevrolets. Today, the Pohanka Automotive Group sells fifteen makes of vehicles at their locations in Maryland, Virginia, Texas and Delaware. Pohanka was the 2023 chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association and represents the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors. He previously served on the NADA board from 2001 to 2009.
Michelle Primm
Industry Relations Audi Liaison
Michelle Primm is managing partner of Cascade Auto Group in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. She started in the automotive business at the age of 12 in her family's dealership, helping with filing in the service department, and has held other positions-from cashier to general manager-becoming managing partner in 2003. Primm is an at-large member of the National Automobile Dealers Association's board of directors, representing women dealers from the East Region.
Rhett Ricart
Industry Relations Kia Liaison
Rhett Ricart is CEO and owner of Ricart Automotive Group, in Columbus, Ohio. Ricart Ford was founded in June 1953, by his father, Paul Ricart Sr. Ricart was the 2020 chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association and represents Ohio's franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors.
James "Jay" Rivchin
Industry Relations Alfa Romeo Liaison
Jay Rivchin is dealer principal/president of Dadeland Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram and South Miami Alfa Romeo Fiat in Miami, Fla. and Homestead Hyundai Genesis in Homestead, Fla. He started in the automotive business in 1979 at Dadeland Dodge. He has held multiple positions within the dealership from salesman, sales manager, capital F&I manager, GSM, GM and dealer principal/president. Rivchin is an at-large member of the National Automobile Dealers Association's board of directors, representing minority dealers from the East Region.
Bruce Schindler
Industry Relations Lincoln Liaison
Robert Vail
Industry Relations Buick/GMC Liaison
Bob Vail is president of Vail Buick GMC in Bedford Hills, N.Y. He started in the automotive business working in his father's Studebaker dealership. Vail represents metropolitan New York's franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Paul Walser
Paul Walser is a second-generation dealer and a partner of Walser Automotive Group in Edina, Minn. He started in the automotive business in 1974 selling new cars at Town's Edge Ford. Walser was 2021 chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association and represents Minnesota's franchised new-car dealers on the board of directors.
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John Devlin
Joe Ziniti
Perry Watson