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.

One of those times was just a few months ago when Hurricane Helene cut a devastating path through Western North Carolina. It was truly heartbreaking to witness the immense damage and the loss of life caused by this tragedy. While our own dealership group faced significant damage and our employees had personal losses, we are truly grateful that our team and their families made it through safely. Unfortunately, many of our fellow citizens did not.

Our gratitude, and the gratitude of all Western North Carolina, goes out to our fellow dealers and NCADA associate members throughout the state who quickly came to our aid both personally and through the NCADA Disaster Relief Fund. I know that multiple dealerships collected and contributed much needed supplies to our communities at the height of our recovery and delivered these items at their own expense via trucks and even planes and helicopters.

This experience has reinforced what I have long known: Franchised dealers are some of the most generous and dedicated stewards of their communities. Our industry can always be counted on to lead the way.

With this clear example of what our industry can do when faced with a daunting challenge, I want to emphasize the importance by extending the spirit of unity to all the challenges facing our industry. Whether it be through assisting with NCADA advocacy, participating in industry events or simply staying informed of key issues, together we can help shape policies, improve our businesses and ensure the long-term strength of the franchise system.

I urge all NCADA members to remain actively engaged with your association, share your insights in pivotal industry discussions and take proactive steps toward the future. Our industry’s strength is rooted in our unwavering commitment to integrity, ensuring that every decision we make reflects our shared values and paves the way for a prosperous, sustainable tomorrow.

This April, I am proud to announce that the NCADA Board of Directors will reaffirm our commitment to Western North Carolina by holding our spring board meeting in Asheville. At this gathering, we will address critical state and federal issues, including the franchise law legislation proposed by NCADA. I encourage every NCADA member to connect with your local board representative before the meeting to share your insights and recommendations on these vital topics, ensuring that our collective voice helps shape the future of our industry and community.

It is a privilege to serve as your chairman, and I look forward to our continued collaboration as we drive our industry forward.

Randy Hunter
NCADA Chairman
Hunter Corporation