NIADA Adds to Its Leadership Team

ARLINGTON, Texas – The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association has named three new vice presidents as it continues to advance its commitment to better serving its members. Laurence Dixon has joined NIADA as vice president of industry insights and analysis, and Brett Scott has come on board as the new vice president of government affairs. In addition, director of business development James Gibson has been promoted to vice president of member services.

In spite of all of the challenges the association and our industry faced over the past year, we are positioned better than ever to serve our members and protect their interests.

“Jim Gibson’s experience in developing member benefits, his ingenuity and his dedication to service will greatly benefit our members,” NIADA CEO Robert Voltmann said. “Brett’s energy, commitment to service and skill at relationship-building will amplify our advocacy efforts in Washington.

“Larry Dixon brings a strong belief in the used vehicle industry and seeks to make NIADA the source of industry information for our members and the public. He’ll lead the effort to re-energize our 20 Group and education offerings, expand our meetings and bring new usable data to our members to help them run their businesses.”

Dixon, a 20-plus year auto industry veteran and a recognized new and used vehicle market expert, joins NIADA from J.D. Power Valuation Services, where he developed custom solutions related to used vehicle price analysis, residual values and performance management for OEMs, lenders and dealers.

“The used vehicle market’s growing prominence presents NIADA members with an abundance of opportunities,” he said. “I am so excited to join the NIADA team at this important time and am looking forward to supporting NIADA members with the data, information and insights necessary to make the most of what lies ahead.”

Scott, who is based in Washington D.C., will represent NIADA and the used vehicle industry in engaging with members of Congress and regulatory agencies.

He most recently served in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Government Affairs under Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, and previously worked in the private sector representing the Cruise Lines International Association and shipping conglomerate A.P. Moller-Maersk.

“I am thrilled to be part of a great team that has successfully represented independent dealers and the industry on Capitol Hill for more than 70 years,” Scott said. “I look forward to the future of the association under the guidance and leadership of Bob Voltmann.”

Gibson joined NIADA in 2019, developing and implementing the association’s business partnerships – including the National Corporate Partnership, National Affinity Partnership and National Member Benefit partnership programs.

“It’s really an exciting time to be a part of the NIADA team,” he said. “In spite of all of the challenges the association and our industry faced over the past year, we are positioned better than ever to serve our members and protect their interests.”

Gibson was previously director of business development for J.D. Power’s data and analytics division and headed the value-added reseller segment for NADA Used Car Guide, pioneering the VAR distribution channel and playing a key role in transforming a print-centric enterprise into an industry-leading business-to-business e-commerce provider of vehicle valuation services.

“I’m excited about the new leadership team we’ve put in place at NIADA, including chief financial officer Melanie Wilson,” Voltmann said. “While it has decades of association, industry and Washington experience, it’s a young, energetic team ready to serve our dynamic industry.”