Claim OwnershipVADA Live
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VADA LIVE is the official podcast powered by the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, offering rich insights and information about the automotive industry in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Join VADA staff, members, and partners for behind-the-scenes accounts of our efforts in the legislature, regulatory, and industry worlds, and stay equipped with everything you need to know to be a successful and competitive automotive dealer in Virginia.
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Join Dan Carrigan as he speaks with Napoleon “Napo” Rumteen, a proven leader at the intersection of automotive retail, SaaS, and talent innovation. Napo, the Founder and CEO of Interactive EQ, explains how his platform uses AI to measure intangible skills and improve hiring and retention in high-turnover roles like sales and service advisors. In this interview, Napo shares his perspective on why focusing on employee development and getting ahead of problems is crucial for profitability. He discusses how a first-of-its-kind platform provides insights into a candidate's judgment, resilience, and empathy—the skills that drive 85% of job success. Napo also explains why leaders should use AI as an enablement tool to augment their teams and handle tedious tasks, freeing up people to focus on critical thinking and relationships. He provides a look into the real-world workflow of an AI-enabled talent assessment and how to navigate change management to ensure successful adoption across dealerships of all sizes. Napo draws on over 30 years of experience, including key roles at Tekion and automotiveMastermind, to provide a fresh, expert take on leveraging AI to build a stronger, more efficient team. He argues that AI is not meant to replace humans but to elevate the human element in a people-centric business.
In this VADA Live special, host Dan Carrigan and @Reunionmarketing 's Chad Graves discuss how dealers can get ahead of AI-driven marketing. Chad emphasizes that AI is a supplement, not a replacement, for human interaction and offers a valuable look into how early adopters are using data to become more efficient, serve their customers better, and prepare for a future where buyers may make decisions without even visiting a website.
Does artificial intelligence have a place in the automotive industry? In this VADA Live special, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Kayla Kody, Vice President at Richmond Ford Auto Group, to discuss the opportunities and challenges of using AI in dealerships. Kayla shares her perspective on how AI can be a powerful "helping hand" to enhance operations and customer experiences, but not a total replacement for the human connection. She also shares the importance of data privacy (if you wouldn’t shout it across the sales floor, don’t input it into ChatGPT!), the most promising applications of AI in both sales and service, and the keys to getting buy-in from your team.
On this special episode of VADA Live, Host Dan Carrigan sits down with @NADA Academy Director Michael Hayes. The duo takes a deep dive on all things AI in the retail automotive industry, and how NADA Academy is preparing its students for the dealerships of today and tomorrow.
Can AI streamline your dealership's most complex back-office functions? Jim Roche, CEO of WarrCloud, joins Dan Carrigan to explain how AI-powered automation is boosting profitability and efficiency in fixed operations and warranty claims processing, especially with new Virginia laws protecting dealer compensation as of July 1.
In this VADA Live AI special, host Dan Carrigan interviews Checkered Flag General Manager Michael Wood about the reality of using AI in the dealership. Michael shares his perspective on how to get past the hype of artificial intelligence, and how to augment employees to enhance them by removing meaningless tasks from their workloads.
Join Dan Carrigan for a conversation with AI expert Diana Lee, CEO and Co-founder of Constellation. This segment, part of a special series on artificial intelligence in the dealership space, explores how AI is impacting the automotive industry. Lee explains how Constellation's AI uses automotive-specific data to automate tasks like generating VIN-specific offers and providing real-time market insights. She highlights the "clean room" concept, where each dealership gets a proprietary AI chatbot with their own data, enabling competitive strategies and inventory management. Lee stresses that adopting AI is crucial for dealers to gain a competitive edge and improve efficiency.
Here's the full, high-energy audio recording of AutoFi's Joe St. John's keynote during our conference, where he outlines how dealerships can remove obstacles for sales teams, increase sales, and help customers. As VP of Training and a NADA Academy Guest instructor, Joe worked with dealers nationwide and helps you understand the changes your dealership can make today to appeal to a Gen Z workforce.
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.
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.
Wondering how to protect your dealership legacy through estate planning? Attorney John Dedon joins VADA Live host Dan Carrigan to share vital insights specifically for dealers. Learn about crucial documents, current tax strategies, succession planning, and avoiding costly probate issues.
What's hot in the auto market? Steve Greenfield, General Partner at Automotive Ventures dives into trends, tariffs, and tech on this episode of VADA Live. Get Steve's pulse check on consumer caution, potential sales headwinds, and the impact of affordability challenges facing the industry today.
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.
Struggling with finding and keeping top talent at your dealership? NADA Academy Instructor Steve Brazill joins VADA Live host Dan Carrigan to share insights gained from decades in automotive retail. Learn why slowing down the hiring process, effective onboarding, and building the right culture are crucial for long-term success and avoiding costly turnover.
In this episode of VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Kevin Tynan, Director of Research at the Presidio Group, to discuss the top-of-mind issues facing auto dealers in 2025. They delve into the evolving dynamics of the automotive market, including manufacturer pressures on inventory and sales, the resilience of the franchise model, and the cooling EV market. Kevin shares his insights on maximizing fixed ops revenue, potential shifts in incentives and pricing strategies, and the continuing importance of affordability for consumers. Tune in for this insightful conversation on the future of the automotive industry!
In this episode of VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Dr. Paula Pando, President of Reynolds Community College, to discuss how community colleges are helping dealers bridge the skills gap. Dr. Pando shares how Reynolds is preparing students for real-world success — and how dealers can engage to strengthen the talent pipeline. Watch this important conversation on the future of automotive education and the dealer’s role in shaping it!
In this episode of VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Bruce McGeorge, VADA’s new general manager, to discuss his impressive journey to VADA. A proud U.S. Naval Academy graduate and retired Marine Corps captain, Bruce brings more than 30 years of expertise in the automotive and logistics industries. From his early exposure to the dealer business to leading innovative solutions at CarMax and ACV Auctions, Bruce shares his insights.
For this edition for VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Dave Perno, President of Loyalty Automotive and Virginia’s 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year, to discuss his journey in the automotive industry. From lessons learned working in his father’s dealership to leading a family business, Dave reflects on the importance of supporting employees, giving back to the community and planning for the future. He also shares his perspective on industry trends like EV adoption and what 2025 might bring for dealers.
In this episode of VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan dives into one of the most critical drivers of dealership success: customer service. Joining the conversation are Kayla Kody, vice president of Richmond Ford Auto Group, and Jake Sodikoff, president and dealer principal of Steven Nissan and President of HoneyCar, a used vehicle franchise with five locations in Virginia. Together, they share ways to enhance customer experiences, balance technology with a personal touch and tackle challenges unique to the auto industry.
In this episode of VADA LIVE, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Brian Finkelmeyer, Senior Director of Enterprise Insights and Advisory at Cox Automotive, to unpack the latest trends shaping the automotive retail landscape. From the bright spots in vehicle sales to the challenges of rising inventories and affordability concerns, Brian provides a deep dive into the evolving market dynamics. Tune in to explore strategies for dealerships to stay ahead, updates on EV growth projections, and insights into how transparency and innovation are reshaping the customer experience.
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