April 15, 2025

Neill Nelson is one of a select group of 49 dealer nominees from across the country who were honored at the 108th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 25, 2025.

Ninety years ago, amidst the turmoil of the Great Depression, a small group of North Carolina automobile dealers gathered in Raleigh to address their industry’s challenges.

How did you get started in the automotive industry and were there any formative experiences that guided you to where you are today?
As a young boy, I spent time every summer going to work with my dad at the dealership.

In 1937, NCADA began publishing monthly bulletins, branded as “news flashes,” similar to how newspapers and radio stations of the era delivered breaking news to their audiences. The name “FLASHES” stuck, and the publication quickly became a crucial communication link between dealers and their Association.

I have always taken great pride in the resilience of our industry and our collective ability to quickly adapt and overcome virtually every challenge thrown at us. There have been key times in our past when this ability has been tested, but franchised dealers have always come through.