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Cardella named AEC Executive of the Year

June 30, 2023

Colorado Independent Auto Dealers Association CEO David Cardella was named the NIADA Executive Director of the Year at NIADA Accelerate 2023.

Cardella has served as director of the CIADA since the end of 2020. He was honored to win the same award as his predecessor Todd O’Connell, who earned the award in 2015.

Prior to serving as director, Cardella, was the CIADA President is 2013 and 2014. He has also led the Mountain States Auto Group as President.

“I’m a proud car salesman,” Cardella said. “I started in this business when I was 6 years old, tagging along with my dad who sold cars. The first thing I did when I left the franchise world and got my dealer’s license was I joined my state association. Seven years later, they asked me to serve on that board. Our CEO retired and when he announced his retirement, I had the support of my board members take over. They believed in my vision. It’s an honor to represent the industry. My members, my office staff deserve this award as much as I. Without them, I couldn’t have won this award.

“It’s an honor to be associated with a great organization like NIADA.”

The following received the Crystal Eagle: Jason Reaves, Wayne Reaves Computer Systems; Kevin Pendergrass, Carolina Auto Sales of Myrtle Beach, Inc.; Steve Wetmore, McAdenville Motors; Jerry Padrick, M&M Auto Sales, Inc; Michael Threadgill, Triple T Motors, LLC; Dean Cantey, Automotive Experts; Dale Matthews, Matthews Motors, Inc.; Wendy Pisor, Northside Auto Sales; Marty Coates, Coates and Associates Inc.; Sammy Bernardo, ProGuard Warranty, Inc.; Frankie Bordeaux, L&H Used Cars of Wilmington Inc.; Craig Amelung, Manheim MidAtlantic.

NIADA Author

The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) is among the nation’s largest trade associations, representing the used motor vehicle industry comprised of some 40,000 licensed used car dealers. Since 1946, NIADA has represented the voice and interests of used car dealers at the federal level in Washington D.C. Coupled with its state association network across the country, NIADA’s grass-roots framework provides a dual layer of advocacy unmatched in the used motor vehicle industry. For 75 years, NIADA has engineered programs and leveraged technology to fulfill its mission to advance, educate and promote the independent used car dealer. NIADA members subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics of duty, honor and integrity, and believe in the advancement of small business in support of the free-market system. More information about NIADA, visit www.niada.com.