Pub. 58 2017-2018 Issue 4

18 TADA ANNUAL CONFERENCE T ADA Chairman of the Board Tom Durant presented one of the most productive and interesting annual meetings in TADA history in San Antonio in April. With an outstanding roster of industry speakers, govern- ment leaders and key dealers, the 2018 conference was an insightful analysis of the current industry and a reasoned, educated look into the future of franchised dealers. In addition to Chairman Durant, the Texas dealers who spoke included DMV BoardMember Brett Graham, Texas Truck Dealer Chairman Brian Bruckner, Texas Dealer Academy Trustee Tim Crenwelge and NADA Chairman- Elect Charlie Gilchrist. No other state can come close to the dealer leadership that Texas possesses, and that accumulated knowledge and expertise was on display at the San Antonio meeting. David Regan, NADA Executive Vice President for Legislative Affairs and Jonathan Collegio, NADA Senior Vice President for Public Affairs are two reasons that the national office in McLean, Virginia represents dealers so well at the capitol. These two national executives shared a wealth of information with conference attendees that will benefit our dealers through the ever changing landscape of these next few years in automotive retail. On the public policy front, TADA recognized Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus with the inaugural Texas Leadership Award. Presented by his lifelong friend Rick Cavender for his remarkable leadership as a House Member and then Speaker, Joe Straus made stirring remarks that reflected his character both as a person and as a leader for our state. The conference ended with a luncheon inducting car dealer and United States Congressman Roger Williams into the TADA Hall of Legends. It was a fitting climax to the 2018 conference as Mr. Williams’ family and friends related the very personal side of TADA’s newest legend and the Congressman, as always, left the dealers with a message of inspiration and confidence in the role of franchised dealers who are essential to the lives of every American. 