For the first time, the leader of the National Automobile Dealers Association has placed diversity at the top of the association's agenda.
Alan Starling, who became chairman of NADA Monday, made equal opportunity one of three top objectives for his year in office.
"As our society becomes more diverse, we must make sure that everyone, from all backgrounds, has a fair shot to succeed in our great business," Starling said in his inaugural speech. Starling is president of Holiday Chevrolet-Oldsmobile in St. Cloud, Fla.
Starling presented what he called a three-prong "Fairness Doctrine" to dealers during his address, including: fairness in dealer manufacturer relations, fairness in customer relations and a fair shake for everyone who wants to get into the auto retail business.
Others have addressed the first two objectives - fair treatment by the factories and fair treatment of customers. Dealers chronically have griped about unfair treatment from the factories. And H. Carter Myers III, past chairman of NADA, added ethical treatment of customers to his list of concerns, revising and promoting NADA's code of ethics.
But diversity has never had parity with industry relations issues.
NADA in recent years has made room for minorities and women on its board of directors, and Starling pointed out that NADA got an award for its work on minority issues last year from the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers.
"I believe we can do more and we will," said Starling. "By working with the dealer operations department (at NADA) we will enhance the training opportunities available to all dealers, managers and dealership personnel."