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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Thank you for your service.

NOAH MELAMED
PRESIDENT JAMES MAKIA KERRI ROTUNDA
MIDATLANTIC REGIONAL IADA PRESIDENT AND CEO, EXCLUSIVE GENERAL MANAGER, THE CORRY
TICKET TO RIDE AUTO SALES MOTORCARS LLC AUTO DEALERS EXCHANGE
FINANCE, LANCASTER, PA
for two years, James realized that his life Kerri Rotunda is the General Manager of
passion was not in law or criminal justice. the Corry Auto Dealers Exchange in Corry,
One of the most rewarding experiences of In 2006, he withdrew from his studies Pennsylvania. Having been in the auto
my career has been serving on the board and began to pursue other interests. After industry her entire life, Kerri is passionate
of MARIADA. Having an opportunity to speaking with some friends, he decided to about the work being done at MARIADA
be a positive force in our industry is what invest in buying and selling cars. The first and is an advocate for the industry. As a child
drives all of us to volunteer our time to vehicle that James sold was a Ford Crown she worked with her parents who operated
our association. Please take a moment to Victoria at a gas station in Baltimore City, several independent dealerships in the greater
thank all of our board members whenever MD. From that point on, James invested Erie area. Being exposed to the industry
you have an opportunity. They all go above every dollar he made into procuring and through her parents and getting to know
and beyond to continuously improve our selling used vehicles to the general public dealers throughout the area, Kerri was drawn
industry and to help legislators tackle the until he generated enough capital to open to the auto auctions. To gain experience, Kerri
real issues affecting all of us. his first location in 2008 in the heart of started as a block clerk and quickly moved
Baltimore City. As a young immigrant through the ranks to title specialist, accounts
This year we have been fortunate to welcome who was able to come to this country and receivable, sales, registration coordinator,
several new members to our board. From take advantage of the “American Dream,” fleet manager and finally general manager.
the retail world we welcome James Makia James has taken pride in building an Over the past 18 years Kerri has been
of Exclusive Motor Sports and from an organization that affords the same to involved with the Greater Erie Auto Auction,
auction background we welcome Kerri both his employees and his clientele. New Motors Inc, and the Corry Auto Dealers
Rotunda of Corry Auto Dealers Exchange. With the addition of his Randallstown Exchange (part of Xlerate Group) where she
location, James has gone from employing recently accepted the award as ARI Regional
James Makia is an independent automotive 17 people to 40 plus. The addition of the Auction of The Year. Not only does Kerry
operator and entrepreneur and currently Randallstown location has also opened have automotive sales experience, she also
serves as the President and CEO of Exclusive the door to new partnerships with lenders brings MARIADA legislative experience and
Motorcars LLC based out of the Baltimore and businesses to assist his clientele a passion for the work being done by our
metro area. Makia is an immigrant from regardless of their socio-economic board members.
Nigeria. He graduated from high school status. James truly believes in giving
in Nigeria and came to America with his back to the communities surrounding If you are interested in learning more about
brother in July of 2001. Upon arrival to his dealerships, as well. From sponsoring the work being done by our board and
the states, Makia enrolled in the Criminal the Park Heights Secret Society Youth association or are interested in joining our
Justice program at the Community College Football organization to hiring graduates board, please reach out to Shannon Becker
of Baltimore County. He graduated with an of the Full Circle Automotive program and at MARIADA or any of the current board
Associate of Science degree and transferred donating vehicles to the Vehicles for Change members. Board members are elected at
to the University of Baltimore in the program, he takes pride in being able to our annual president’s meeting in October.
accelerated pre-law program in 2004. After use his resources to build up everyone he Please let us know if you’d like to help drive
attending and participating in the program encounters. our industry forward. n

2 | MIDATLANTIC DEALER NEWS | MIDATLANTICAUTODEALERSUNITED.ORG • APRIL 2022