Colorado Car Dealer Don Hicks Named AIADA Chairman Elect

Aurora Subaru Dealer Ascends from Vice Chairmanship Post, in Line to Chair National Dealer Association in 2006

Alexandria, Va Dec 17, 2004; Don Hicks next month will ascend to the post of 2005 Chairman-Elect of the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA). Hicks, who has been a member of AIADA since 1987 and a leading voice on AIADA’s board of directors for the past three years, is principal of Shortline Automotive in Aurora, Colo. Hicks was elected last year to succeed Jim Evans as Vice Chairman; he is in line to assume chairmanship of AIADA in 2006, upon the completion of Evans’ term.

“We are thrilled to have Don’s leadership on the board of directors,” said 2004 AIADA Chairman Buzz Rodland. “Don is a rare blend of thoughtful insight, can-do enthusiasm and thorough knowledge of our industry and the issues affecting international nameplate auto dealers. We look forward to working with him in the year leading up to his chairmanship.”

Hicks began his career in the automotive business as a salesman at Courtesy Ford of Denver in 1972. In 1987, he acquired Shortline Automotive. Family-owned and operated, Shortline Automotive, which sells and services Subaru, Hyundai, Kia and Suzuki, has been serving Rocky Mountain region motorists for 17 years.

Since becoming a dealer, Hicks’ Subaru dealership has grown into one of the largest in the nation. Shortline Automotive is a member of the Subaru Chairman’s Club, which includes the top 20 Subaru dealers in the nation. Hicks is also a recipient of Subaru’s prestigious Stellar Performers award, demonstrating his dealership’s dedication to the highest levels of professionalism and customer satisfaction.

Active on AIADA’s board of directors since 2001, Hicks was instrumental in establishing the Dealer Council process at Subaru resulting in higher satisfaction ratings, and has served on National Dealer Councils for Suzuki and Hyundai. Currently, Hicks serves as President of the Metro Denver Auto Dealers Association, and is Past President of Hyundai’s Western Region Advertising board.

On the local level, Hicks is a charter member of the Pink Ribbon Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps victims of breast cancer through financial assistance, transportation to treatments, babysitting for patient’s children, and treatments of alternative medicine. Each year, Hicks sponsors the Foundation’s Power of Pink Gala. He has also contributed to the New Breast Cancer Changing Facility at the University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Pavilion in Denver.

“Don is a class act in the automotive industry. He has a fundamental understanding of the issues -- both politically and in terms of the automotive industry,” commented AIADA’s 2005 Chairman Jim Evans. “I look forward to working closely with him over the next year, and all of us look forward to his chairmanship the following year.”