AIADA Appoints Vice President of Government Relations

Kevin H. Koonce Brings Extensive Washington Experience to Top Lobby Post

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AIADA Expands Membership Operations; Terri A. Lankford Appointed Membership Manager

Alexandria, Va (Jan. 26) ¾ The American International Automobile Dealers (AIADA) today announced the appointment of Kevin H. Koonce as Vice President of Government Relations and Terri A. Lankford as Membership Manager.

Koonce most recently served as Legislative Director and Counsel to New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg, where he worked closely with the Commerce, State and Justice Subcommittee on Appropriations as well as with vested industry groups. Koonce had previously served as Special Textile Negotiator for United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Zoellick, during which time he played a critical role in the launching the Doha Round of trade negotiations.

“Kevin is the right person at the right time for AIADA,” commented AIADA President Marianne McInerney. “He brings a wealth of experience on a broad range of issues as well as a track record of accomplishments that is uniquely related to the particular needs of AIADA.”

While with Sen. Gregg, Koonce worked on a number of important matters including the creation of funding of a new office for International Property protection at the USTR and on SEC governance matters. Koonce also staffed Senate leadership meetings and worked with the White House on passage of Fast Track Negotiating Authority.

Originally from Connecticut, Koonce received his undergraduate training at Denison University; he subsequently earned a Juris Doctorate from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law. Koonce began his Capitol Hill experience as an advisor to former North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms, where he worked closely with all sectors of industry on numerous tax and trade measures, including the Trade and Development Act of 2000, and Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China.

Terri A. Lankford, AIADA’s just-appointed Membership Manager, brings to AIADA expertise in a variety of member relations practices and a strong knowledge of recruitment and retention for non-profits. Lankford had most recently served as Director of Membership and Communication for Wine America, the trade association representing the nation’s winemakers. Prior to that, Lankford developed and marketed programs for organizations in the hospitality industry.

Originally from Long Island, Lankford is a graduate of the University of Maryland.

“Terri has a history of boosting membership usage, developing and strengthening membership value and increasing non-dues revenue” added McInerney. “Her extensive experience in non-profits coupled with her real world marketing experience will be a tremendous asset to our efforts to increase the membership in AIADA.”

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About AIADA: Founded in 1970, AIADA represents the 10,000 American automobile dealerships that sell and service international nameplate brands including Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Isuzu, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Maserati, Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Saab, Scion, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. These retailers have a positive economic impact both nationally and in the local communities they serve, providing nearly 500,000 American jobs. Visit AIADA online at www.aiada.org.