MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Automobile Dealers Association has selected Peter K. Welch as its new president.

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"I'm excited and honored to be selected as the next NADA president," said Welch, 59.

Welch has been president and chief executive officer of the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) in Sacramento since 2003, and has managed its government affairs office, including legal, legislative and regulatory affairs, since 1990. It's the country's largest state organization for new-car dealers.

"NADA is a well-run organization. I look forward to following in the tradition of strong leadership at NADA. I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get started," Welch said.

The unanimous decision was made at a special meeting of the NADA Board of Directors in Dallas on Tuesday, Jan. 8, following an extensive nationwide search. Welch will become the NADA president officially on February 1.

"Peter will be a great leader at NADA," said Bill Underriner, the NADA Chairman. "He has an impressive track record in California, where every day he faced some of the toughest regulatory and legislative issues in the industry. He's a car guy who comes highly recommended not just from people in California, but also across the nation," added Underriner, a new-car dealer in Billings, Mont.

Dave Westcott, NADA vice chairman, said he is looking forward to working with the new president. "Peter Welch is a great selection," said Westcott, a new-car dealer in Burlington, N.C. "He is the right person to help lead our organization as we confront the challenges ahead."

A native of Detroit, Mich., Welch has been married to Cheryl Welch for 32 years. They have three children.

He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan; a master's degree from the University of Durham, England; and a law degree from Loyola Marymount University of Law, Los Angeles. Prior to joining the CNCDA, he was a partner with a Los Angeles law firm.

"NADA has a bright future with Peter as president," Underriner said.

In connection with the appointment of Welch as NADA president, Underriner also announced the following promotions, effective immediately: 

• Joseph L. Cowden, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and CFO 
• Andrew D. Koblenz, Executive Vice President, Legal and Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel
• David W. Regan, Executive Vice President, Legislative Affairs.

The NADA Story

The NADA story began in 1917 when 30 auto dealers traveled to the nation's capital to convince Congress not to impose a luxury tax on the automobile. They successfully argued that the automobile is a necessity of American life, not a luxury. From that experience was born the National Automobile Dealers Association. Today, NADA represents nearly 16,000 new-car and -truck dealers, with 32,500 franchises, both domestic and international. For more information, visit www.nada.org. Follow NADA on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE National Automobile Dealers Association