This is my final newsletter as HRADA President, and it’s fitting to recall what an amazing year 2009 has been for the association.

Sure, times are challenging in our industry. But HRADA had an amazing year by any measure. At no cost and without raising dues, HRADA conducted many outstanding programs for our dealers and allied members to provide solutions to cope with today’s economy.

To recap some highlights presented free to our members:

My personal goal was to offer two beneficial programs for our dealers. I’m pleased to report that both our spring F&I seminar and our autumn Fixed-Ops seminar were overwhelmingly successful. Each drew more than 70 members to hear world-class experts explain methods we can incorporate into our dealerships, which means better operations and higher profits. HRADA hosted the F&I program in Virginia Beach and the Fixed-Ops program in Hampton.

HRADA’s continuing series of membership speakers reached its pinnacle this year. David Gilliland received more member comments that his was the best-ever presentation than all other responses through the years combined.

Our annual Auto Show last January attracted nearly 650 members and guests to the VIP Preview, a record turnout. What is more, our show maintained its impressive attendance figures, even though most other events across America reported declines of about 30 percent. Clearly the public and factories love our show. And certainly the show sells vehicles.

HRADA’s annual Charity Golf Tournament again raised sizable funds, which support our scholarship contributions for automotive technology students at Thomas Nelson and Tidewater Community colleges.

This year, HRADA pledged a multiyear, effort worth $100,000 to TCC’s Automotive Technology Center.  This facility is heralded as one of the foremost higher education operations anywhere in the United States.

HRADA also began programs with Office Max and Optima Health.  These programs are voluntary for membership, but they will both save money for members while adding income to the association.  The income will help HRADA continue providing superlative benefits to members at no cost.

In closing, success always comes down to people.  I’ve been blessed with a Board of Directors both committed to progress and supportive of initiatives.  I’m happy and comfortable handing the baton to next year’s President Bill Hayes, who is extremely capable.

I also wish to express gratitude to George Ransom, who chaired our Golf Tournament, and to Carol Commander McHugh who produces it.  They led a committee that knows only excellence, and the results demonstrated such.

Additionally, Richard Hutsko chaired our Auto Show, and Peter Alexander produced it.  This event is HRADA’s most complex.  It takes 15 months of preparation to put on an annual show.  Despite economic conditions, HRADA’s auto show is one of the few shinning stars nationwide.

Also, thanks go to Sheri Sweatland who is Executive Assistant.   Her dedication helps keep HRADA moving ahead every day.

Finally, many thanks go to our Executive Vice President Sean Brickell, for his ingenuity and unwavering hard work in achieving many of the milestones in 2009.  Through Sean’s hard work and leadership HRADA is one of the premier dealer associations in the Commonwealth.  It’s not very often that one works with an individual like Sean, whose humility underscores the cornerstone of his being, and for that I will be eternally grateful.