WSIADA History

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), Ab 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 21^st century.

Recognized by the N.I.A.D.A. since 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, 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
1964 – Dick Wyman	1982 – Bill Newton	2001 – Art Manger
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