NJ CAR was founded in 1918, and in the last 107 years, it has continued to grow and evolve lock-step with the auto retailing industry it represents. With the retirement of Jim Appleton in November, after 27 years at the Coalition’s helm, we were incredibly lucky to recruit Laura Perrotta to join the organization as its new President.
Jim has left his mark on NJ CAR and our industry with his tireless dedication to serving New Jersey’s franchised dealers. For nearly three decades, he promoted issues and policies that would benefit us and fought hard against proposals that would harm dealers or consumers. Laura has some big shoes to fill, but she has hit the ground running and is already taking up that mantle for dealers. She comes to NJ CAR with 21 years of association experience and has built a very impressive resume.
Prior to joining NJ CAR, Laura served as President of the American Truck Dealers (ATD), a division of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) that represents more than 3,200 franchised medium- and heavy-duty truck dealers nationwide holding nearly 5,600 separate domestic and import franchises.
Before ATD, Laura served as President and CEO of the American Highway Users Alliance, an organization focused on promoting safe highways and freedom of mobility.
Laura was also the Senior Director of Legislative Affairs for the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), where she handled financial services, transportation, and truck and safety issues.
As NADA President Mike Stanton said in NJ CAR’s press release announcing her arrival, “Laura Perrotta has done an outstanding job for medium- and heavy-duty dealers across the country, and she will be a tremendous asset to the dealers in New Jersey as President of NJ CAR.”
I have been working closely with Laura for several months already and I couldn’t agree with Mike’s assessment more. The NJ CAR Executive Search Committee found a highly qualified executive that will help NJ CAR continue its success and build on its reputation as one of New Jersey’s (and the country’s) most well-respected business advocacy organizations.
But she won’t be doing it alone. Laura is fortunate to be surrounded and supported by an incredibly hardworking and dedicated staff with decades of experience at NJ CAR and hundreds of years of combined professional experience. She will empower everyone to make the most of their professional development, which will benefit them individually, as well as the Coalition and the dealers it represents.
If you haven’t already met Laura, you will soon. She has been barnstorming the state and jumping on the phone to engage with as many dealers as possible, and she will continue to do so throughout 2025.
Please join me in welcoming Laura to NJ CAR and wishing her every success as she fights on behalf of New Jersey’s neighborhood new car and truck dealers.
