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A Fond Farewell Letter, Looking Back & Looking Forward

By Reg Evans, Outgoing Midatlantic Regional Independent Auto Dealer Association Executive Director
Dear Members, Nonmembers, We have had solid boards of directors always IADA Convention. Six years ago, these
Dealers All, Wholesale Vehicle during my term, but I should mention that it is relationships made it possible and comfortable
Auctions, Industry Vendors & the President who has the most responsibility for the Maryland/Delaware IADA to merge
Government Partners, and puts in the most time and effort to with the Pennsylvania IADA. Special
lead and move the association forward for appreciation and thanks go to Tom Hodges,
the benefit of our dealers, auctions, and then president of the Maryland/Delaware
I have had the honor and privilege to serve the vendors. Presidents during my time as IADA (MDDEIADA), and Jack Tracey, then
PIADA, then the merged MidAtlantic IADA
of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, executive director include Steve Worley, John MDDEIADA executive director, for making
DeFilippo, Tad Swift, Tom Brandis, Michael this merger possible and smooth. Jack passed
for ten years as executive director, president
of the title business, licensed insurance Brill, Noah Melamed. I thank them and the away in 2021. Jack was a great person and he
agent, lobbyist, in house lawyer, convention other board members who have volunteered and his wife Mary Ellen Tracey were excellent
chairman, and magazine editor and writer their time for our industry. to work with on our conventions.
for 120 consecutive editions of the monthly
MidAtlantic Dealer News. I had A LOT of The auctions are key. That is where we all Great staff members make the world go
help, guidance, suggestions, support, and congregate, buy, sell, arbitrate, and move round. You have really solid experienced
collegial brainstorming along the way, from metal. The energy of auction sale day is people in staff leadership positions right now.
you, the dealers, auctions, vendors, directors something I will always treasure. The leaders Shannon Becker, associate executive director,
and staff members. of our auctions are of paramount importance is lightning efficient and diligent in managing
to dealer success and have contributed daily operations. Tammy Helman, head of title
I became involved in the PIADA 15 years tremendously to association success. Thank training and the title and messenger office, is
ago when former executive director Phil you to these great auction folks for your one of the most experienced, knowledgeable
Zulli and I had lunch and talked about the support of the association over the years. and reliable vehicle title professionals in the
need and potential opportunity to get the Commonwealth. Nicole Autry has returned
document preparation fee codified into I would also like to express appreciation and to lead the licensing section with her great
law. With leadership from Phil and the special thanks to wholesale dealers Robert licensing expertise and we are fortunate for
board of directors including past presidents Hollenshead and Robert Adcock, and to all her return. These staff leaders have great
Fran Morelli, John Kyner, Jeff Dreier, Andy of our vendors, from warranty and service people working in their sections, and together
Gabler, John DeFilippo, Tom Brandis, all contract companies to GPS providers and they make the association strong, reliable, and
stalwart supporters of the association, more. You have been great supporters of the effective for our dealers and auctions.
we got it done. Later, we got the doc fee association and help retail dealers achieve
increased to reflect true new costs and success every week. NIADA is important for the global success
changes as the dealer world digitized. of our industry. That is an understatement.
Special thanks to Frank Snyder who while Federal and state representation is
My involvement with the PIADA as outside working as an independent dealer at his tremendously important, so we must join
legal counsel from Shumaker Williams dealership also simultaneously volunteered together and advocate, defend, promote, in
law firm, my then home away from his time to serve as chairman of the order to succeed for our industry. Support
home, continued when Pete Lukasiak was Pennsylvania Vehicle Board. And special MARIADA and NIADA. They are here for
appointed by the board as the new executive thanks to Jeff Dreier for his long time service your benefit. Get the win-win from and with
director in 2008. Pete had tremendous as a member of the Pennsylvania Inspection your associations.
national association experience and was Advisory Board.
great at connecting with government In conclusion, I am grateful for my time as
officials and key industry people to expand Ultimately, the association is all about serving executive director as I move into my next
the PIADA’s reach and relationships. Pete the members and I would like to thank ALL endeavor. I wish for you the confluence
was a past executive director of the National of our members over the years. I greatly value of passion and love for your work in our
Auto Auction Association (NAAA) and and appreciate all of our discussions and work industry, strong consumer demand for your
past Person of the Year with the National together to help your businesses, from title goods and services, and great business skills
Independent Automobile Dealers work processing to regulatory compliance to and work ethic, to combine for your ongoing
Association (NIADA). He was a mentor to government advocacy and beyond. success. Looking back makes me glad.
me when the board allowed me the honor Looking forward, things are changing, so get
of becoming executive director in 2011. We expanded our annual convention starting ready and best of luck!
Pete passed away in December 2021. He in 2012 by teaming Pennsylvania with
was a great friend who led the association Maryland, Delaware, New York, and New Sincerely and with gratitude,
with honor and dignity. Jersey, to form the MidAtlantic Regional Reg

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