VADA Live

Join us as we welcome back Steve Greenfield (Automotive Ventures) for a sharp analysis of the shifting auto market. In this episode, Steve provides a crucial outlook for Q4 2025 and 2026, explaining why the EV softening and affordability pressures are defining the landscape, while the prime consumer remains resilient. He emphasizes that the future of mobility requires preparing for these market fo...

Join Dan Carrigan as he speaks with Napoleon "Napo" Rumteen, a proven leader at the intersection of automotive retail, SaaS, and talent innovation. Napo, the Founder and CEO of Interactive EQ, explains how his platform uses AI to measure intangible skills and improve hiring and retention in high-turnover roles like sales and service advisors. In this interview, Napo shares his perspective on why f...

In this VADA Live special, host Dan Carrigan and  @Reunionmarketing  's Chad Graves discuss how dealers can get ahead of AI-driven marketing. Chad emphasizes that AI is a supplement, not a replacement, for human interaction and offers a valuable look into how early adopters are using data to become more efficient, serve their customers better, and prepare for a future where buyers may make decisio...

Does artificial intelligence have a place in the automotive industry? In this VADA Live special, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Kayla Kody, Vice President at Richmond Ford Auto Group, to discuss the opportunities and challenges of using AI in dealerships. Kayla shares her perspective on how AI can be a powerful "helping hand" to enhance operations and customer experiences, but not a total replac...

On this special episode of VADA Live, Host Dan Carrigan sits down with  @NADA  Academy Director Michael Hayes. The duo takes a deep dive on all things AI in the retail automotive industry, and how NADA Academy is preparing its students for the dealerships of today and tomorrow.

Can AI streamline your dealership's most complex back-office functions? Jim Roche, CEO of WarrCloud, joins Dan Carrigan to explain how AI-powered automation is boosting profitability and efficiency in fixed operations and warranty claims processing, especially with new Virginia laws protecting dealer compensation as of July 1.

In this VADA Live AI special, host Dan Carrigan interviews Checkered Flag General Manager Michael Wood about the reality of using AI in the dealership. Michael shares his perspective on how to get past the hype of artificial intelligence, and how to augment employees to enhance them by removing meaningless tasks from their workloads.

Join Dan Carrigan for a conversation with AI expert Diana Lee, CEO and Co-founder of Constellation. This segment, part of a special series on artificial intelligence in the dealership space, explores how AI is impacting the automotive industry. Lee explains how Constellation's AI uses automotive-specific data to automate tasks like generating VIN-specific offers and providing real-time market insi...

Here's the full, high-energy audio recording of AutoFi's Joe St. John's keynote during our conference, where he outlines how dealerships can remove obstacles for sales teams, increase sales, and help customers. As VP of Training and a NADA Academy Guest instructor, Joe worked with dealers nationwide and helps you understand the changes your dealership can make today to appeal to a Gen Z workforce.

What inspires a veteran of Virginia's auto industry and a lifelong community advocate to run for the House of Delegates? On this edition of VADA Live, Jeff Kelley sits down with Virgil Thornton Sr., candidate for the 86th District and a familiar face from decades in Virginia dealerships. They discuss his unique journey from nuclear testing and automotive leadership to his current campaign, the cor...

Get ready to elevate your dealership's customer experience! On this edition of VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan sits down with bestselling author, TED Talk speaker, and customer experience expert Katie Mares. Katie, a featured speaker at this year's VADA Convention, will discuss how to make "the now non-negotiable", what dealers are still getting wrong about creating five-star experiences, and how to...

Wondering how to protect your dealership legacy through estate planning? Attorney John Dedon joins VADA Live host Dan Carrigan to share vital insights specifically for dealers. Learn about crucial documents, current tax strategies, succession planning, and avoiding costly probate issues.

What's hot in the auto market? Steve Greenfield, General Partner at Automotive Ventures dives into trends, tariffs, and tech on this episode of VADA Live. Get Steve's pulse check on consumer caution, potential sales headwinds, and the impact of affordability challenges facing the industry today.

Big changes are coming for Virginia auto dealers on July 1! Host Dan Carrigan discusses the new warranty recall and reimbursement law with VADA's General Counsel Anne Gambardella, alongside Jordan Jankowski (COO) and Ryan Hammer (Operations Director) from VADA Program Partner Armatus Dealer Uplift. The panel covers critical steps dealers should take now to prepare for the deadline, specific change...

Struggling with finding and keeping top talent at your dealership? NADA Academy Instructor Steve Brazill joins VADA Live host Dan Carrigan to share insights gained from decades in automotive retail. Learn why slowing down the hiring process, effective onboarding, and building the right culture are crucial for long-term success and avoiding costly turnover.

In this episode of VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Kevin Tynan, Director of Research at the Presidio Group, to discuss the top-of-mind issues facing auto dealers in 2025. They delve into the evolving dynamics of the automotive market, including manufacturer pressures on inventory and sales, the resilience of the franchise model, and the cooling EV market. Kevin shares his insights on m...

In this episode of VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Dr. Paula Pando, President of Reynolds Community College, to discuss how community colleges are helping dealers bridge the skills gap. Dr. Pando shares how Reynolds is preparing students for real-world success — and how dealers can engage to strengthen the talent pipeline. Watch this important conversation on the future of automotive e...

In this episode of VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Bruce McGeorge, VADA's new general manager, to discuss his impressive journey to VADA. A proud U.S. Naval Academy graduate and retired Marine Corps captain, Bruce brings more than 30 years of expertise in the automotive and logistics industries. From his early exposure to the dealer business to leading innovative solutions at CarMax an...

For this edition for VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Dave Perno, President of Loyalty Automotive and Virginia's 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year, to discuss his journey in the automotive industry. From lessons learned working in his father's dealership to leading a family business, Dave reflects on the importance of supporting employees, giving back to the community and planning for the fu...

In this episode of VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan dives into one of the most critical drivers of dealership success: customer service. Joining the conversation are Kayla Kody, vice president of Richmond Ford Auto Group, and Jake Sodikoff, president and dealer principal of Steven Nissan and President of HoneyCar, a used vehicle franchise with five locations in Virginia. Together, they share ways to e...

In this episode of VADA LIVE, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Brian Finkelmeyer, Senior Director of Enterprise Insights and Advisory at Cox Automotive, to unpack the latest trends shaping the automotive retail landscape. From the bright spots in vehicle sales to the challenges of rising inventories and affordability concerns, Brian provides a deep dive into the evolving market dynamics. Tune in t...

Bloomberg Intelligence's Kevin Tynan made his regular appearance at the VADA Annual Convention this month, offering his analysis of the challenges facing manufacturers and opportunities in front of franchised dealers, which continue to sit in the best position to drive automotive retail sales. This podcast is best viewed alongside Kevin's presentation. You can grab a PDF of those slides, as well a...

This month in South Carolina, we brought our convention attendees four of retail automotive's leading minds — and now we bring them to the masses. Here's the podcast of our expert panel featuring John Altman of Beyer Auto Group; Liza Borches, former VADA chair and fourth-generation leader of Carter Myers Automotive; and automotive analyst and auto tech investor Steve Greenfield. It's all moderated...

We talk to the omnipresent Amberly Allen, along with Virginia dealer Phil Englander. Amberly is the founder and managing director of Dealer Merchant Services, which the enterprising entrepreneur developed after coming up with a compliant way to help dealers save on credit card processing fees without turning off customers and damaging satisfaction scores. Phil Englander, of Richmond's Hart Auto Gr...

We chat with Randy Barone, a VP with VADA Partner ACV Auctions. With decades in retail auto and specific expertise in used vehicle inventory for franchised dealers, Randy talks the "its" of inventory: Getting it , Turning it , and Making a Prof it . As someone on the NADA circuit who also makes regular 20 Group appearances, Randy shares dealers' top concerns, areas of confusion, and opportunities...