The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) annual convention

Northwood Colleagues:

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) annual convention is a significant event for Northwood University.  Held last week in San Francisco, it is an opportunity for students, faculty, and advancement staff to begin new partnerships, to keep Northwood vital, and to learn what’s important within the industry.  A faculty delegation composed of Steve Brazill, Tim Gilbert, Joe Lescota and Steve Tidwell, and accompanied by Julie Becker-Meyers guided students from all campuses throughout the many activities of the convention.   Among the connections that took place last week, the following are well worth noting:

• Student participation in the JD Power Roundtable sessions.
• Manheim Auctions commitment to help us create a 10-week used car course.
• Reynolds and Reynolds announcement of teaming with NU to teach a course in effective dealership management practices.
• Discussions with ADP regarding internship and employment opportunities for our students.
• Meetings with representatives from AutoTrader.com to move forward in developing educational materials targeting internet selling techniques.
• Professor Joe Lescota and AutoTrade.com personnel conducted a two-hour seminar on “Myths on Used Vehicle Internet Sales.”
• Hudson, Cook and Associates, a law firm with expertise in automotive and legal issues has agreed to design a new automotive minor degree in “Automotive Legal Compliance.”
• Numerous students received full-time employment opportunities.

The NADA convention is also where Northwood University hosts its annual Dealer Education Awards (DEA).  In this 37th year, our DEA event honors automobile dealers from across the country who value and make a difference in education.  The DEAs help keep Northwood University focal within the industry.  Over the years, our students, our graduates and our programs have benefited greatly from the relationships forged at DEA.

Most exciting of all this year was the announcement of the new Executive MBA for dealer executives to be offered by the DeVos Graduate School.

In response to the increased demand for advanced degrees specifically tailored to retail dealership operations, Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School has teamed with the Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals (AFIP) to offer the first-of-its-kind MBA program for dealer executives.  The new academic offering marks the first Dealership Executive MBA in the world and is delivered exclusively by Northwood University.  The accredited program is scheduled to begin in 2008 in Midland, Michigan.

The new MBA program will serve in-store executives employed by dealerships in the franchised new vehicle, independent used vehicle, RV, marine, motorsports and motorcycle markets.  The Dealership Executive MBA will also benefit executives working for captive and institutional lenders and aftermarket product vendors who support the retail trades.

Designed with the career demands of upper-echelon executives in mind, the accelerated 30-month MBA capitalizes on the best of distance and on-campus learning environments.  While the relevant course-related information can be effectively conveyed online, honing the knowledge into powerful leadership skills requires face-to-face exposure with seasoned professors and fellow student-executives hailing from every facet of the industry.  The program structure includes five intensive week-long classroom modules in conjunction with the online coursework.

David Robertson, AFIP’s executive director, in his remarks on this new degree commented, “Northwood is the recognized leader in powered conveyance retailing and fixed operations education.  Our association’s AFIP Certified F&I Professional program has been part of Northwood’s undergraduate curriculum for many years.  In candor, the DeVos Graduate School was the only venue considered for the graduate-level executive education initiative."

Robertson added an academic advisory committee made up of leaders from every part of the industry has been formed to ensure the course material is in sync with the real-world needs of in-dealership executives.  He also noted an effort is underway to develop scholarship programs for qualified candidates - individuals currently holding an undergraduate degree.

The Dealership Executive MBA Program encompasses core management topics including financial valuation, line of business and corporate strategy, economics, marketing, and organizational behavior and leadership tailored specifically to meet the ever-changing demands of both the local and global automotive marketplace.  The curriculum aims to provide students with the tools and skills necessary to effectively lead their organizations in the changing times ahead.

As you can see, NADA is a good friend of Northwood University.  Next year, when your students ask for excused absences to attend the NADA convention, rest assured there is important business being conducted.  Our involvement with NADA helps make us who we are and sets us apart from other universities.

Keith A. Pretty, J.D.
President and CEO
Northwood University
4000 Whiting Drive
Midland, MI 48640
989.837.4203 (phone)
989.832.9590 (fax)