Alabama Auto Dealer Forrest McConnell Elected NADA Chairman for 2014

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Oct. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Automobile Dealers Association's board of directors has elected Forrest McConnell, III, chairman for 2014.

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"I'm truly honored," said McConnell, owner of McConnell Honda/Acura in Montgomery, Ala., who represents Alabama's new-car dealers on NADA's board. "I look forward to the challenge."

"Dealers are small Main Street businesses and pillars of their communities," added McConnell, who is only the second dealer from Alabama to lead NADA. "One of the greatest challenges we face is regulations that choke small businesses in America."

Bill Fox was elected NADA vice chairman. He represents New York's new-car dealers on NADA's board, and is the owner of Fox Dealerships in Auburn, N.Y.

The election took place at NADA's board meeting in Santa Barbara, Calif. Colorado dealer Jeff Carlson was elected Secretary, and George Nahas, a dealer in Florida, was elected Treasurer.

McConnell and Fox will take office at the 2014 NADA Convention & Expo in New Orleans, which runs Jan. 24-27.

The NADA Story
NADA has been the voice of the dealer since 1917. That's when 30 auto dealers traveled to the nation's capital to convince Congress not to impose a luxury tax on the automobile. They successfully argued that the automobile is a necessity of American life, not a luxury. From that experience was born the National Automobile Dealers Association. Today, NADA represents nearly 16,000 new-car and -truck dealerships with more than 32,000 franchises, both domestic and international. For more information, visit www.nada.org.

SOURCE National Automobile Dealers Association