The Washington State Independent Auto Dealers Association (WSIADA) was formed in 1953 by a group of independent auto dealers who wanted to create a better industry. It was not until 1956 that the association had grown to include 150 members that the board of directors was created. The first known officers of the association were Don Medley, Sr. (Tacoma), A.B. Pearson (Everett), James Mercer (Seattle), and Claude Laycock.
In the following year, the association held its first state convention was held in Yakima Washington with the design to be a social meeting between members to get to know each other better and form family friendships that continue to flourish into the 21st century.
Recognized by the N.I.A.D.A. in 1959, the WSIADA has maintained a good relationship with our national counterpart through that time by attending their annual meetings, providing information to Washington dealers, and having several of our own association officers becoming President of NIADA themselves.
In the first seven years of the WSIADA, the officers had presented many challenges and changes to the Washington State Department of Licensing to help modify the rules and regulations that governed the sale of vehicles that are still in effect today including, the separation of the Motor Vehicle Dealer and Miscellaneous Vehicle Dealer Licenses with issued plates accordingly, creation of temporary licensing and recommendations on how to process rebuilt/wrecked vehicles.
In a 1965 newsletter, Board member Harvey Hallahan wrote “Personal Success is dependent on group action.” with regards to the membership activates of the association.
“No association can stand very long without new blood and new talent to combat complacency and indifference.” – Ralph Look, President 1965
1955 – Don K. Medley Sr. |
1971 – Howard Vandekieft |
1989 – Jim Holder |
2008 – Danny Archibald |
1956 – A.B. Pearson |
1972 – Dick Giovi |
1990 – Dave Kuper* |
2009 – Bill Heald |
1957 – Bill Deupree |
1973 – Don Stephens |
1992 – John St. Laurent |
2011 – Robert Reid |
1958 – Morrie Stotsenberg |
1974 – Walt Friel |
1994 – Jack Morris |
2012 – Mo Aliadabi |
1959 – Bill DeRango |
1975 – Bob Ochsner |
1996 – Emil Scarsella |
2013 – Randy Fletcher |
1960 – D. L. Burd |
1976 – Bill Newton |
1997 – Robert Reid |
2014 – J.T. Curry |
1961 – Roger Tallakson |
1978 – Howard “Mac” Ruddell* |
1998 – Don Castle |
2017 – Mo Aliadabi |
1962 – Chuck Suvan |
1980 – Frank Granat |
1999 – Mike Van Dinter |
2019 - AJ Hamadian |
1963 – Archie Caraway |
1981 – Gene Pankey |
2000 – Pat Feutz |
2020 - Randy Fletcher |
1964 – Dick Wyman |
1982 – Bill Newton |
2001 – Art Manger |
2022 - Wasim Azzam |
1965 – Ralph Look |
1983 – Irv Rohrich* |
2002 – John Zukerman |
|
1967 – Eddie Bawyn |
1985 – Gary Giacomini |
2003 – David Randall |
|
1968 – Joseph W. Rodgers |
1986 – Ray Harley |
2004 – Bill Heald |
|
1969 – Allan Barry |
1987 – Greg Morris |
2005 – John Zukerman |
|
1970 – Carl North |
1988 – Ray Harley |
2006 – Ken Williamson |
*held NIADA officer position
If you have a photograph or contact information for any of our past presidents listed, please email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Follow