Hicks Resigns, Don Beyer Takes Over at AIADA

Hicks Resigns, Don Beyer Takes Over at AIADA

The surprise announcement at this yearês Automotive Congress was that AIADA Chairman Don Hicks will close out his term effective June 1, 2006, in order to concentrate on his family andan expanding business in Colorado Springs, Colorado, according to an AIADA statement.

Hicks has served as AIADA chairman since July of 2005, a period of controversy for the association which has seen an aborted attempt to establish its own political action committee, the resulting resignation of its executive director, Marianne McInerney, and diminished attendance at the Automotive Congress.

AIADA Chairman-Elect Don Beyer, a longtime WANADA member, will assume the chairmanship upon Hicks’ departure. Hicks will replace Buzz Rodland asImmediate Past Chairman. Beyer, originally slated to serve as Chairman in 2007, will now serve an abbreviated term beginning June 1, 2006, through February 2007. Meanwhile, Vice Chairman John Hawkins, by moving to the position of Chairman-Elect, will assume the chairmanship in February 2007 and resume the normal election cycle.