Scroll down to see photos from some
of the visits we've hosted over the
years.
Cerritos, CA -
Representative Linda Sánchez who represents California’s 29th District participated in her second Dealer Visit with Cerritos Infiniti employees since she became a Member of Congress in 2003. General Manager Bill Stephens invited the Congresswoman to sit down with employees for a town hall-style discussion covering topics pertinent to auto dealership workers and constituents in Cerritos. “Linda Sanchez has long been active in educating Californians on careers within the automotive retail industry,” said Stephens, adding that he and his employees were impressed by the Congresswoman’s willingness to reach out to businesses in Southern California.
Huntington Beach, CA -
Congressman Dana Rohrabacher of California’s 46th District conducted a town hall with employees at Norm Reeves Honda Superstore: Huntington Beach. The town hall was part of the Dealer Visit program, which connects auto dealers with their legislators. Employees asked questions about the economy, gas prices, taxes, and other issues impacting the industry. Paul Conant, general manager and partner to Dave Conant who owns the Conant Auto Retail Group, hosted the Dealer Visit. “Representative Rohrabacher has a sincere interest in the automotive retail industry,” said Paul Conant, adding that he and his employees felt fortunate to have a champion of small business representing them in Washington. 
Puyallup, WA -
Congressman Adam Smith of Washington’s Ninth District paid a visit to Korum’s Puyallup Nissan, and was met by owner and operator Bill Korum, who has been in the automobile dealership business for 35 years. During a mini-town hall meeting with the dealership’s employees, Rep. Smith answered questions on a number of subjects, including the local economy and drilling for oil in the United States. He told those in attendance that he supports the development of alternative fuels over expanding drilling operations in Alaska. 
Emporia, KS -
Congressman Jerry Moran of Kansas’s Big First district paid a visit to John North Nissan of Emporia, Kansas. Rep. Moran admitted to North and the assembled dealership employees that he puts up to 450,000 miles on his car each year, in an effort to meet with as many of his constituents in the 69 counties of his district as possible. During the mini-town hall meeting with the dealership’s employees, Rep. Moran answered questions on a number of subjects, including energy, social security, and health care. “Representative Moran has taken the time to learn about the automotive industry,” said North, adding that he and his employees were impressed by the Congressman’s commitment to businesses in Kansas.
Manchester, MO -
Missouri Congressman Todd Akin (R-2nd) visited AIADA Board Member Ray Mungenast at his St. Louis Lexus store. The Dealer Visit began with a town hall meeting in the showroom, where about a dozen dealership employees gathered to listen and discuss issues currently impacting international auto dealerships. Congressman Akin then toured the dealership, making sure to stop by every department and station and meet the employees. He even talked “cars” with a senior technician, sharing his troubles with bleeding his Toyota Corolla’s brake system.
Mahwah, NJ -
New Jersey Congressman Scott Garrett (R-5th) paid a visit to Liberty Hyundai in Mahwah. The owner of Liberty Hyundai, AIADA Vice Chairman Rick DeSilva, and his sons Michael and Rick Jr., hosted the Congressman. The Dealer Visit began with a town hall forum, where 30 Liberty Hyundai and Liberty Subaru employees gathered to listen and discuss issues currently impacting international auto dealerships. Congressman Garrett addressed the importance of passing the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement, the need to explore offshore drilling to drive American oil independence, the impact taxes are having on New Jersey’s small businesses, and the need to permanently repeal the Death Tax. 
New Port Richey, FL -
Florida Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-9th) met with Scott Fink, owner of Hyundai of New Port Richey, Florida’s largest volume Hyundai dealer and the number two Hyundai store in the U.S. for 32 out of 39 months since its inception. Fink and the Congressman toured the store and discussed a variety of issues related to the recent economic downturn, which is impacting both dealers and consumers. Congressman Bilirakis commended Fink and Hyundai for offering customers an alternative to big, gas-guzzling SUVs. Fink noted the recent trend in customers who want to trade in their bigger vehicles for the “smallest car on the lot.” Bilirakis showed his concern for consumers and auto dealers who are struggling to make ends meet in his Congressional district during a roundtable session with Fink and his management team. The Congressman said he would use his voting ability on Capitol Hill to help the small businesses and constituents in his district. 
Seaside, CA -
Congressman Sam Farr (D-17th) paid a visit to Butts Motors in Seaside, California as part of the AIADA Dealer Visit Program which connects auto dealers with their federal lawmakers. Donald Butts, accompanied by his son, Jake – soon to be a fifth-generation Butts dealer – welcomed the Congressman, who is a long-time acquaintance. Their meeting included a tour of the Acura dealership and conversations with some of Congressman Farr’s constituents who work in the administrative, service, and parts departments. Butts Motors has been in business for over 100 years and employs 50 people. Butts used the forum with Rep. Farr to touch on a number of issues pertinent to the international auto industry and small business owners.
Saint James, NY -
Dealer Robert Certilman, President of Smithtown Acura in Saint James, New York, hosted U.S. Representative Tim Bishop (D-1st) for an AIADA Dealer Visit. After the Congressman turned in his Acura – one of two he has purchased at Smithtown – to the service department for a routine check-up, Certilman led Rep. Bishop on a detailed tour of the dealership, introducing him to sales, service, parts, and accounting employees. Bishop met nearly all 47 employees at the facility, asking each where they resided to see if they lived in his district, and it turned out most of the employees were constituents.
Wichita Falls, TX -
General Manager Mo Issa hosted Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-13th) at Patterson Honda/Hyundai/BMW dealership. The visit included of a tour of the facility, discussion of issues AIADA represents, and a chance for Rep. Thornberry to interact with Issa and his constituent colleagues. Issa, who also is president of the Wichita Falls New Car Dealers Association, noted, “We appreciate the opportunity to meet with Rep. Thornberry and discuss issues important to our market, our industry, and Texoma car and truck buyers.”
U.S. Representative Mac Thornberry is shown at Patterson Downtown Auto Center with a portion of the Patterson Group management including Danny Burns, Lamont Myles, Mo Issa, and James Warnock.
Scottsdale, AZ -
Jack Guthrie, General Manager of BMW/Mini of North Scottsdale, invited Representative Harry Mitchell (D-Az.) to visit and tour his dealership. A member of the Legislative Action Network (L.A.N.), Guthrie took the initiative to send a letter of request to Rep. Mitchell in order to build a relationship between constituent and federal elected official and to show him the inner workings of managing a successful dealership. The Dealer Visit also served as a forum for regional Penske Automotive executives to talk with the Congressman. George Raysik, Chief Financial Officer; Jon Wiggins, Area Vice President; Scott Moss, Senior Vice President of Human Resources were all in attendance.
Pasadena,
CA -
Victoria Rusnak Pearson, Chief Operating Officer and General Councel of Rusnak Group, hosted a major event, gathering 740 Rusnak employees under one roof to witness the rolling-out of their new Rusnak Standard. Pearson has worked hard to prepare to take over for her father Paul, the founder and roots of Rusnak. As an active L.A.N. member, she invited AIADA to be a part of this monumental event. Surprise guest speakers included Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers and U.S. Congressman David Dreier (R-26th). The Rusnak Group has been in business for more than 40 years.
Montclair,
CA -
California Congressman David Dreier (26th District) paid a visit to Great Metro
Honda in Montclair, CA. In the picture, Congressman Dreier is speaking to owner
and AIADA Chairman, John Hawkins, and his brother, Harold Hawkins. Congressman
Dreier was first elected to Congress in 1980. He has earned consistent 100 percent
approval ratings from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association
of Manufacturers. In 2003 and 2004, Dreier was honored with the Hero of the Taxpayer
Award by the Americans for Tax Reform and the Small Business Advocate Award by
the Small Business Survival Committee.
Hickory,
NC - AIADA member Benny Yount, President and CEO of Paramount Automotive Group, recently
held a grand opening reception in honor of his new KIA building in Hickory, NC.
About 100 members of the community, including Mayor Rudy Wright and Congressman
Patrick McHenry (NC-10) attended the event. The star of the evening certainly
was Mr. BongGou (B.G.) Lee who serves as the President and CEO of KIA Motors
America. He traveled from California to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony
alongside Mr. Yount and Mayor Wright.
Riverdale, GA -
Congressman David Scott (D-GA-13) visited Harold Philipson’s SouthTowne Motors. Philipson sells Hyundai, Isuzu, and Suzuki brands at his Atlanta-area dealerships. Currently serving his third term, Congressman Scott is a member of the influential Financial Services Committee, the Capital Markets and Financial Institutions Subcommittees, the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee, and the Agriculture Committee. A key issue for Rep. Scott is health care reform. 
Des Moines, IA - Six-term Congressman, Leonard Boswell (D-IA-3), paid a visit to Holmes Automotive in Des Moines, Iowa. Dealer principal, Max Holmes, is a second-generation auto dealer who sells both Honda and Hyundai nameplates at his family-run dealerships. After WWII, Max’s father, Max, and his uncle John joined up with Dale Gambs and operated a Kaiser-Frasier new car dealership downtown Des Moines. Rep. Boswell sits on the Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Select Intelligence Committees. 
Lawrence, KS - Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS-3) visited Crown Automotive in Lawrence, Kansas. Rep. Moore is a member of the House Budget and Financial Services Committees. Crown Automotive dealer prinicipal, Miles Schnaer, sells and services Toyota and Scion models at his dealership. Schnaer is a two-time AIADA Dealer of the Year nominee. In his community, Schnaer is well known for establishing the Crown Casting Club, which provides its 200 plus members (children and their families) the opportunity to participate in weekend fishing competitions, club meetings, seminars and other outdoor activities from March through October. 
Nacogdoches, TX - Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX-1), former Chief Justice of Texas’ 12th Court of Appeals, visited Mike Perry Mitsubishi in Nacogdoches, Texas. Mike Perry Motor Company is a family owned and operated dealership that has been serving the East Texas area for over 40 years. What began as a used car lot on Main Street in Nacogdoches, Texas, has developed into one of the most recognized businesses in the area. Now in his second term in the House of Representatives, Louie is assigned to three key House committees: Judiciary, Resources and Small Business. 
Urbana, IL - Congressman Tim Johnson (R-IL-15) visited one of Joe O’Brien’s Mitsubishi dealerships in Central Illinois. Currently, the O'Brien Automotive Team employs over 750 people between all its locations in Illinois, Florida, Georgia and California. O'Brien Field, a $25,000,000 state-of-the-art, 7,500-seat, multi-purpose facility located in downtown Peoria, is named in honor of the dealer group. It opened May 24, 2002, and is home to the Peoria Chiefs, the Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Rep. Johnson is a fourth term Republican, who sits on the Agriculture, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees.
Houma, LA - Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA-3), a second-term Democrat
on the Energy and Commerce, and Science and Technology Committees,
visited Houma Toyota. In
June of this year, Houma Toyota became a member of the Greg and
Geri LeBlanc family of dealerships and was renamed Greg LeBlanc
Toyota. In addition to Toyota, LeBlanc sells and services Nissan
and Hyundai vehicles. Rep. Melancon’s
district covers much of South
Louisiana, stretching from St. Bernard Parish in the east, going
through the river parishes and along the coast, and extending all
the way to Iberia and St. Martin parishes in the west. He is very
active in helping South Louisiana recover from the devastation caused
by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. 
Las
Vegas, NV - Rep. John Porter (R-NV-3), a member of the House Budget Committee and the influential
Ways and Means Committee, visited one of AutoNation, Inc.’s Desert dealerships
in Las Vegas, NV. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, AutoNation is the
nation’s largest publicly-held dealer group, employing approximately 26,000 people.
From 2001-2005, and again, in 2007, AutoNation was named one of Fortune magazine’s “America’s
Most Admired Companies.” Rep. Porter’s role on the House Ways and Means Committee
allows him to continue to advocate for low taxes, access to affordable healthcare
and trade issues that will have a direct impact on Nevadan families. 
Sheboygan, WI - Fifteen-term Congressman, Tom Petri (R-WI-6), visited Dave Heather’s Lakeland Automotive on the coast of Lake Michigan. Heather sells and services Toyota, Honda, Subaru, and Mazda brand autos. Congressman Petri is the Ranking Republican on the Aviation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He served for 12 years as Chairman of that committee's Highways, Transit and Pipelines Subcommittee and of an earlier subcommittee with similar responsibilities. He is a former Vice Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, now named the Committee on Education and Labor. 
Ashland, KY - Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY-4), a member of the House Armed Services and Financial Services Committees, visited Sim Fryson Motor Company in Ashland, Kentucky. Dealer principal, Sim Fryson, sells and services Nissan, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, and Mazda brands. Fryson, 58, a Vietnam veteran who served with the U.S. Air Force, was named the 2002 NAACP man of the year in Kentucky. He says he’s only the second black American to own a Mercedes-Benz dealership and the only one to own a Mercedes, Honda, Nissan and Mazda dealership. He’s been in the automobile dealership business for three decades, including the past 10 as owner of Sym Fryson Motor Co. in Ashland.