A Message from VADA President and CEO Don Hall
March 2025
If in the later stages of your career you still have the privilege of leading others, you’d better be learning and growing just as hard as the day you started.
This month I was invited to attend a gathering of auto dealers, industry partners, and other seasoned and successful professionals from outside our retail automotive world for a retreat in Charleston, S.C. “Business, Bourbon & Cigars” brought together a group of like-minded entrepreneurs and leaders to talk performance and strategy. And, as you can tell from the name, we had fun.
I don’t drink bourbon nor smoke cigars, but I do believe in the power of surrounding yourself with high-caliber people who challenge you to be better. That’s what this group was about.
For two and a half days, from sunrise until well after sunset, we engaged in intense conversations, deep dives, and honest discussions about leadership, business, and what it takes to succeed in today’s world.
It was great as always to hear from dealers and our suppliers. But listening to leaders from outside our industry who offered fresh perspectives reminded me of something I’ve always known: Our business is not as unique as we sometimes think. At the core, every industry is about the same thing: Serving your customers, taking care of your people, and adapting to a world that never stops changing.
Too often, auto dealers and leaders get stuck in our own echo chambers, doing things the way they’ve always been done. But growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone and hear how others are tackling the same challenges you face.
I didn’t go into this meeting knowing exactly what to expect. But I took pages of notes—ideas I want to implement, perspectives that made me think differently, and even some challenges to my own beliefs. That’s what learning should be, no matter where you are in your career.
Speaking of education, I’m also pleased to say that by the end of the year, I will complete the courses offered by the NADA Academy. Although not part of an official class due to my schedule, I’ve made the commitment to continue learning — because the day you think you know it all is the day you start to lose it all. On our VADA Live video podcast series, we’ve been interviewing NADA Academy instructors — check out this one with Andy Seidenman, a 30-year industry veteran.
Work is not just about making money—it’s about purpose, growth, and impact. If you’re still in the game, you have an obligation to push yourself and your people to be better.
The car business has changed. The way we sell, the way we connect with customers, the way we lead our people. If you’re still operating like it’s 1985, you’re already behind: Today’s consumers walk into a dealership after spending hours researching online. They know the car, the price, and the financing options before they even set foot in the showroom. And for your employees, if you aren’t giving them a reason to stay at your store beyond a paycheck, they will look elsewhere. Respect these realities and adapt accordingly.
So here’s my challenge to you: seek out opportunities to grow. Go to the meeting you don’t have time for, even if it’s a seven-hour drive to Charleston. Engage with people outside your industry. Take the class, read the book, have the hard conversations. Push yourself.
When you stop learning, you stop leading. For me, that day isn’t coming anytime soon.
