VADA Live: From Dealerships to Delegate Candidate, Meet Virgil Thornton, Sr.
VADA Live
What inspires a veteran of Virginia's auto industry and a lifelong community advocate to run for the House of Delegates? On this edition of VADA Live, Jeff Kelley sits down with Virgil Thornton Sr., candidate for the 86th District and a familiar face from decades in Virginia dealerships. They discuss his unique journey from nuclear testing and automotive leadership to his current campaign, the core philosophies like "Kaizen" and "Omotenashi" that guide him, and his vision for his district and the Commonwealth. From his deep experience as a foster parent and NADA Academy graduate to his key...
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VADA Live: Elevating Your Customer Experience with Katie Mares
VADA Live
Get ready to elevate your dealership's customer experience! On this edition of VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan sits down with bestselling author, TED Talk speaker, and customer experience expert Katie Mares. Katie, a featured speaker at this year’s VADA Convention, will discuss how to make "the now non-negotiable", what dealers are still getting wrong about creating five-star experiences, and how to better serve the female consumer. Discover insights on why customer experience competition often comes from outside the auto industry, tangible ways to improve your workplace, and the power of...
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VADA Live: Interview with John Dedon, Estate and Trust Attorney
VADA Live
Wondering how to protect your dealership legacy through estate planning? Attorney John Dedon joins VADA Live host Dan Carrigan to share vital insights specifically for dealers. Learn about crucial documents, current tax strategies, succession planning, and avoiding costly probate issues.
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VADA Live: Steve Greenfield on Trends, Tech, and Tariffs
VADA Live
What's hot in the auto market? Steve Greenfield, General Partner at Automotive Ventures dives into trends, tariffs, and tech on this episode of VADA Live. Get Steve's pulse check on consumer caution, potential sales headwinds, and the impact of affordability challenges facing the industry today.
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Panel: Armatus Dealer Uplift's Jordan Jankowski & Ryan Hammer
VADA Live
Big changes are coming for Virginia auto dealers on July 1! Host Dan Carrigan discusses the new warranty recall and reimbursement law with VADA's General Counsel Anne Gambardella, alongside Jordan Jankowski (COO) and Ryan Hammer (Operations Director) from VADA Program Partner Armatus Dealer Uplift. The panel covers critical steps dealers should take now to prepare for the deadline, specific changes impacting diagnostic time and rental car reimbursement, common submission mistakes to avoid, and valuable insights gained from national experience. Understand this vital legislation, achieved...
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Interview with Steve Brazill, NADA Academy Instructor
VADA Live
Struggling with finding and keeping top talent at your dealership? NADA Academy Instructor Steve Brazill joins VADA Live host Dan Carrigan to share insights gained from decades in automotive retail. Learn why slowing down the hiring process, effective onboarding, and building the right culture are crucial for long-term success and avoiding costly turnover.
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Interview with Kevin Tynan, Director of research, the Presidio Group
VADA Live
In this episode of VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Kevin Tynan, Director of Research at the Presidio Group, to discuss the top-of-mind issues facing auto dealers in 2025. They delve into the evolving dynamics of the automotive market, including manufacturer pressures on inventory and sales, the resilience of the franchise model, and the cooling EV market. Kevin shares his insights on maximizing fixed ops revenue, potential shifts in incentives and pricing strategies, and the continuing importance of affordability for consumers. Tune in for this insightful conversation on the future...
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High Octane: Interview w/ Dr. Paula Pando, President, Reynolds Community College
VADA Live
In this episode of High Octane, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Dr. Paula Pando, President of Reynolds Community College, to discuss how community colleges are helping dealers bridge the skills gap. Dr. Pando shares how Reynolds is preparing students for real-world success — and how dealers can engage to strengthen the talent pipeline. Watch this important conversation on the future of automotive education and the dealer’s role in shaping it!
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Man of Action: Bruce McGeorge, VADA's General Manager
VADA Live
In our latest episode, meet Bruce McGeorge, VADA’s new general manager, who discusses his impressive journey to VADA. A proud U.S. Naval Academy graduate and retired Marine Corps captain, Bruce brings more than 30 years of expertise in the automotive and logistics industries. From his early exposure to the dealer business to leading innovative solutions at CarMax and ACV Auctions, Bruce shares his insights.
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Time Dealer of the Year for Virginia Dave Perno
VADA Live
In advance of the NADA Show this week in New Orleans, we sit down with Dave Perno, president of Loyalty Automotive and Virginia’s 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year, to discuss his journey in the automotive industry. Dave and other state Dealers of the Year will be honored at the Show this week. From lessons learned working in his father’s dealership to leading a family business, Dave reflects on the importance of supporting employees, giving back to the community and planning for the future. He also shares his perspective on industry trends like EV adoption and what 2025 might bring for...
info_outlineInventory is up, but so are interest rates. Consumers were happy over the summer...but will that joy continue?
On the heels of the release of Cox Automotive's Q3 Dealer Sentiment Index (more dealers view the market as weak) yet also strong quarterly sales over the summer, we sit down with Cox chief economist Jonathan Smoke for a look at what's in store for dealers in Virginia and nationwide.
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