Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association

Member Kudos: Adventure Subaru in Fayetteville profiled by NADA

With the school year now in full swing, dealers across Arkansas are doing their part to make sure the students are ready and the communities are served. National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) recently profiled Adventure Subaru in Fayetteville as a dealership supporting students as they head back to school. Adventure Subaru donated $12,500 for school supplies to Owl Creek Schools. There is no more generous group of businesses across the state than Arkansas’ new car and truck dealers.

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AADA Convention 2023: that’s a wrap

Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association (AADA) held its annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee, July 16 – July 19, 2023. The convention was a huge success!

Chairman Frank Hug presents Ken Yarbrough with Dealer of the Year award

Congratulations to Ken Yarbrough, the 2023 Time Dealer of the Year and AADA Dealer of the Year.  Chairman Frank Hug presented Ken with his Dealer of the Year award during the Chairman’s dinner at the Country Music Hall of Fame on Monday night of the AADA Convention.

AADA Chairman Frank and Debbie Hug

Thank you to our convention speakers for sharing their insight:

  • Mike Stanton: President and CEO, National Automobile Dealers Association
  • Lauren Bailey: Director, Franchising/State Law, National Automobile Dealers Association
  • Greg Petrowski: CPA, ACI, Senior Vice President and Founder, GPWA
  • Brian Finkelmeyer: Senior Director of Operations Management, Cox Automotive
  • Jordan Jankowski:  Chief Operating Officer, Armatus Dealer Uplift
  • Robert Davis:  Partner, FORVIS

A very special thanks goes out to our generous sponsors that made this event better than ever.

PLATINUM LEVEL

  • Comply Auto
  • Federated Insurance
  • The Versant Group

GOLD LEVEL

  • Ally Financial
  • Cox Automotive
  • Forvis
  • Stephens, Inc.
  • Truecar

SILVER LEVEL

  • ACV Auctions
  • Armatus Dealer Uplift
  • Bank of America Dealer Services
  • Bumper to Bumper / Crow Burlingame
  • Commerce Bank
  • Dominion DMS
  • HHM CPA’s
  • JTS Financial Services
  • Reynolds Document Services

Nominations open for 2024 Time Dealer of the Year

Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association (AADA) is excited to announce that we are accepting nominations for the 2024 TIME Dealer of the Year. As is AADA tradition, the TIME Dealer of the Year nominee is also the Arkansas Dealer of the Year. The TIME Dealer of the Year award in partnership with ALLY is the most prestigious in the retail vehicle industry and honors new car dealers for their business success and community involvement. In the tradition of great nominees, Ken Yarbrough with Central Chevrolet in Jonesboro is the 2023 Arkansas Dealer. We look forward to this year’s nominee joining this list of winners and having their accomplishment announced on the Big Stage at the 2024 NADA Show in February in Las Vegas!

The deadline to return the nomination form to AADA is Friday, July 28, 2023. Nominate a deserving Arkansas dealer today for this award by filling out the form below or returning the official nomination form.

thumbnail of TDOY Nomination Form 2024

Time Dealer of the Year Nomination 2023

Time Dealer of the Year Nomination 2023

Nomination for Time Dealer of the Year
Nomination for Time Dealer of the Year
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AADA president speaks at AAMVA Conference

Left to right: Misty Rucker, Sonja Jaco, Wayne Hamric, Marla McHughes, Greg Kirkpatrick.

Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association (AADA) President Greg Kirkpatrick recently spoke at the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) Region 2 Conference on a panel discussing Interstate Vehicle Transactions.

AAMVA represents officials in the United States and Canada who administer and enforce motor vehicle laws.  They also serve as an information clearinghouse developing model programs and policies in motor vehicle administration, law enforcement, and highway safety.  This year AAMVA is celebrating its 90th anniversary.  Arkansas is in Region 2, and several state officials were on hand for the conference.

Mr. Kirkpatrick spoke about Interstate Vehicle Transactions, which many times involve buyers in one jurisdiction and sellers in another. Consumers and dealers are not afraid to make these long-distance deals but jurisdiction laws, rules, and policies may be challenged by how these transactions have changed vehicle sales and titling governance. Attendees heard from those in vehicle sales, investigations, and legal review to learn how to prepare and adapt for continued growth of vehicle interstate commerce.

AADA enjoys a close working relationship with the Department of Finance and Administration-Office of Motor Vehicles, and this event was a great opportunity to continue to grow this collaborative partnership.

Daniel Pace appointed Director of the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission

The Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing is pleased to announce that Daniel Pace has been appointed as the new Director of the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission (AMVC). Daniel has a tough act to follow in retiring Director Sandy Stroope, whose notable leadership and contributions to the Department and the Commission have been greatly appreciated. With an impressive background within state government, Pace brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for public service to his new role.

“We appreciate Sandy Stroope’s service to Arkansas dealers, and are excited for the appointment of Daniel Pace as the new Commission Director,” said Greg Kirkpatrick, Executive Director of the Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association. “For the last year and half we have gotten to know Daniel, and he has already proven himself to be a tremendous leader in the automotive industry. I look forward to working with Daniel and appreciate his willingness to serve in this critical position.”

A native of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Pace has always had a strong connection to the state and its communities. He attended Jonesboro High School, where he excelled academically and athletically. Passionate about sports, he showcased his talent as a member of the Arkansas State University Baseball Team from 2007 to 2010, demonstrating his dedication and teamwork skills.

Pace’s commitment to education led him to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, which he earned from Arkansas State University in May 2010. Building on this foundation, he furthered his academic accomplishments by obtaining a Master of Public Administration degree in December 2012, solidifying his understanding of effective governance and policy implementation.

With a decade of experience in state government, Pace has proven his capabilities and dedication to public service. His previous roles include serving as a Motor Vehicle Investigator at the AMVC since November 2021, where he has shown a meticulous approach to investigations and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of the Commission.

Before his time with the AMVC, Pace served as an Investigator in the Public Protection Division of the Office of the Arkansas Attorney General. During his eight-year tenure from August 2013 to November 2021, he exhibited a tireless dedication to consumer protection, showcasing his ability to navigate complex legal landscapes and ensure the well-being of Arkansas citizens.

The appointment of Daniel Pace as the Director of the AMVC is a testament to his exceptional qualifications, unwavering dedication to public service, and commitment to the betterment of the state. His leadership will provide continued excellence and public service to the people of Arkansas and the motor vehicle industry. The Department of Labor and Licensing is proud to announce Daniel Pace as its new Director of the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission.

Bob Rogers – Arkansas Dealer of the Year 2022

Bob Rogers, Bob Rogers Chevrolet, Paris, was chosen as Arkansas’s 2022 Dealer of the Year!  He will represent Arkansas as the nominee for the TIME Dealer of the Year Award during the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas on March 11, 2022.