The US National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) announced in May that President and CEO Peter Welch would retire at the end of 2020.

Mr Welch, 67, who spoke at the 2015 AADA National Dealer Convention, was appointed by the NADA Board of Directors in January 2013. NADA reported that under his leadership, NADA strengthened its core mission of advocating on behalf of franchised dealers in the federal legislative, regulatory, industry relations and public affairs arenas.

“Under Welch’s stewardship, NADA achieved a series of legislative and regulatory victories in a number of areas, including auto finance, tax reform, vehicle safety and international trade issues,” a NADA statement said.

“Welch also led NADA through the sale of its used-vehicle valuation guidebook and its retirement planning business, oversaw an organisation-wide re-branding initiative, led the planning of NADA’s year-long centennial celebration in 2017, and orchestrated the organisation’s move to a new state-of-the-art office facility in 2018.”

Mr Welch said he had been privileged to serve associations comprised of franchised new-car and truck Dealers for 30 years.

“We have accomplished so much on behalf of our nation’s franchised auto Dealers. And for the next eight months, I will be focused entirely on helping dealers get through the pandemic and unprecedented economic downturn, and assisting the NADA Board in its selection of my successor,” he said.
“Organisations like NADA are at their best when times are toughest, and right now we’re at our best because of Peter Welch,” said NADA Chairman Rhett Ricart.

“Peter is certainly not leaving easy shoes to fill, but the organisation he has built and the team he has assembled at NADA have made us fully prepared to tackle any challenge no matter how great, including the one we’re in right now. As we begin the process of finding Peter’s replacement, I take great comfort in the assurance Peter has given us that he will be with us every step of the way.”

NADA has chosen international search firm Spencer Stuart, which oversaw NADA’s CEO selection process in 2012, to oversee the transition process.

Prior to joining NADA, Mr Welch held several positions with the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA), the nation’s largest state auto Dealer association. He spent 13 years as CNCDA’s Director of Government and Legal Affairs, and 10 as president and CEO, following a career as a partner in a Los Angeles based law firm.