VADA LIVE

VADA Live S1:E28 – The Importance of Retail Auto in Virginia with Speaker of the House Don Scott

Join Dan Carrigan for an insightful conversation with Virginia’s Speaker of the House, Don Scott. Speaker Scott shares his unique perspective on the vital role the automotive industry plays in the Commonwealth, highlighting how Virginia’s pro-business climate supports over 60,000 strong jobs across sales, service, and fixed operations. He passionately discusses the critical importance of the franchise model in protecting consumers and fostering deep community ties, drawing from his own experiences as both a lawmaker and a car consumer.

VADA Live S1:E25 – Walk and Talk with VADA’25 Convention Speaker Kevin Eastman

Kevin Eastman served as Assistant Coach to Head Coach Doc Rivers for nine years with the Boston Celtics (winning the NBA World Championship) and four years with the Los Angeles Clippers. He also served as Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Clippers. For over 10 years he worked with Nike as the national director of Nike’s skill development programs for elite high school and college players. Through his corporate and sports team speaking (sharing with over 70 audiences/year) and his website (kevineastman.net), Kevin inspires corporate audiences, teams and coaches to be the best they can be in their careers and lives. He is recognized as an engaging and thoughtful speaker speaking to leadership teams, sales teams, and entire organizations as well as one of the best basketball clinicians in the U.S. and internationally.

VADA Live S1:E14 – Enhancing Communication Skills with Page Fehling

Elevate your leadership communication! In this episode of VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan talks with Page Fehling, covering public speaking, relationships with local media and fostering a positive culture. Plus, hear about Page’s recent car-buying experience, and what impressed this communications expert.

VADA Live S1:E16 – Buyers Order Updates & Lease Order Introduction

For the first time in many years Virginia has completed a comprehensive overhaul of the Buyer’s Order form. The move is designed to provide greater protections for dealers, improve clarity for consumers, and address modern compliance standards. The new forms — including an optional Lease Buyer’s Order — will be issued starting May 1, with no hard deadline for implementation. VADA General Counsel and Executive Vice President Anne Gambardella and our outside counsel Barrie Beaty have recorded a short presentation to walk dealers through the new forms.

VADA Live S1:E19 – Get Ready for July 1 with Armatus Dealer Uplift’s Jordan and Ryan

Big changes are coming for Virginia auto dealers on July 1! Host Dan Carrigan discusses the new warranty recall and reimbursement law with VADA’s General Counsel Anne Gambardella, alongside Jordan Jankowski (COO) and Ryan Hammer (Operations Director) from VADA Program Partner Armatus Dealer Uplift. The panel covers critical steps dealers should take now to prepare for the deadline, specific changes impacting diagnostic time and rental car reimbursement, common submission mistakes to avoid, and valuable insights gained from national experience. Understand this vital legislation, achieved through dedicated VADA advocacy, to ensure your dealership benefits fully.

VADA Live S1:E22 – Elevating Your Customer Experience with Katie Mares

Get ready to elevate your dealership’s customer experience! On this edition of VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan sits down with bestselling author, TED Talk speaker, and customer experience expert Katie Mares. Katie, a featured speaker at this year’s VADA Convention, will discuss how to make “the now non-negotiable”, what dealers are still getting wrong about creating five-star experiences, and how to better serve the female consumer. Discover insights on why customer experience competition often comes from outside the auto industry, tangible ways to improve your workplace, and the power of leading through decisive action. This conversation offers a sneak peek into Katie’s convention session and practical takeaways for every auto dealer.

VADA Live S1:E21 – Get to Know Virgil Thornton, Sr., Candidate for VA House of Delegates

What inspires a veteran of Virginia’s auto industry and a lifelong community advocate to run for the House of Delegates? On this edition of VADA Live, Jeff Kelley sits down with Virgil Thornton Sr., candidate for the 86th District and a familiar face from decades in Virginia dealerships. They discuss his unique journey from nuclear testing and automotive leadership to his current campaign, the core philosophies like “Kaizen” and “Omotenashi” that guide him, and his vision for his district and the Commonwealth. From his deep experience as a foster parent and NADA Academy graduate to his key priorities of education, healthcare access, and economic development, this conversation offers an insightful look at a pro-business, pro-dealer candidate rooted in service.

VADA Live S1:E20 – Marketing Strategies with Scott Pechstein, Aris Woolfolk, and Michelle Radley

What digital strategies are actually delivering results for dealerships in 2025? On this edition of VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Michelle Radley of Radley Auto Group, Aris Woolfolk of Aschenbach Automotive Group, and Scott Pechstein of Digital Air Strike to talk lead reactivation, CRM performance, platform shifts, and how to stay competitive on a tight budget. From the impact of AI tools to signs it’s time to adjust your strategy, this conversation offers practical takeaways for teams looking to sharpen their digital approach.