AADA is pleased to announce the appointment of James Voortman as the Australian Automotive Dealer Association’s new Chief Executive Officer, commencing his responsibilities on 1 July 2019.
Mr Voortman has extensive policy and automotive advocacy experience and has worked as an advisor to a Federal Minister as well as in several senior policy roles within a range of industry associations. He has been responsible for all political engagement and external and internal communication strategy.
Mr Voortman has been deputy CEO of AADA since February and has been Executive Director, Policy & Communications since September 2017. He previously spent more than three years as National Policy Manager with the Australian Automobile Association and 18 months as Adviser to the Office of the Minister for Urban Infrastructure.
The AADA Board is thrilled that Mr Voortman has taken up this key position and is looking forward to working with him to further the interests of franchised new car Dealers across Australia.
AADA Chairman Terry Keating said Mr Voortman was the outstanding candidate of those who expressed interest in the position.
“We are pleased that he has accepted the role. Given his role as our Director of Policy, we expect a strong continuity across both policy and advocacy on behalf of our members,” Mr Keating said.
“James also brings experience from working with other associations in the automotive sector and most recently as an advisor to a federal minister.”
Mr Keating acknowledged the ongoing role of AADA Chief Operating Officer, Brian Savage, who provides significant industry experience, having worked in dealerships, OEMs and automotive industry associations.
“Brian was appointed to this role earlier in the year and will play an important role in the AADA secretariat, with a strong focus on working with our most important resource, our members,” Mr Keating said.
He paid tribute to outgoing CEO, David Blackhall, who will continue as a consultant for the next six months, to assist with the transition and continue his work on the development of an Automotive Franchise Code of Conduct.
“The board and I would like to sincerely thank outgoing CEO, David Blackhall, for his hard work and dedication over the last three years,” Mr Keating said.
“David provided invaluable leadership and is largely responsible for the significant gains the AADA has made in recent years.
“Every new car Dealer in Australia owes David a debt of gratitude for the focus, commitment and, in many cases, the resolution he has brought to issues in a time of extreme disruption. Whilst he is stepping down from his current role of CEO, he has agreed to continue with us in a consulting role, essentially to complete our work in making a mandatory code for our industry a reality.”