DC Veteran Laura Perrotta, Takes The Wheel Representing New Jersey’s Dealers
November 21, 2024- Trenton, NJ – The New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR) proudly announces the arrival of the organization’s new President, Laura Perrotta. Laura is the successor to Jim Appleton, who served as the Coalition’s President for 27 years before stepping down earlier this month.
“I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead NJ CAR, an organization with a well-known dedication and commitment to serving its dealer members that represent a $43 billion industry here in New Jersey,” said Laura. “I look forward to working with the Coalition’s incredible team to continue building on its stellar reputation in Trenton, and across the nation, as a fierce and well-respected advocate for both New Jersey dealers and consumers.”
Laura has worked in the association world for the past twenty-one years. She previously served as President of the American Truck Dealers (ATD), a division of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) that represents more than 5,600 domestic and import medium- and heavy-duty truck dealership franchises.
Prior to leading ATD, Laura served as President and CEO of the American Highway Users Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy organization that represented the transportation community, promoting safe highways, robust infrastructure and freedom of mobility. She also previously served as the Senior Director of Legislative Affairs for the NADA, where she handled financial services, transportation, truck, and safety issues.
Before her tenure representing dealers, Laura served as Director of Government Relations at the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), where she led the organization’s lobbying efforts, served as its Political Action Committee (PAC) Treasurer and focused on a variety of transportation safety issues.
Laura is originally from Elmira, New York and received her B.A. degree in Political Science from Salisbury State University in Maryland. She began her career in DC, working in the office of New York Congressman Amo Houghton right out of college.
NJ CAR is also pleased to announce that, effective December 1, 2024, Greyson Hannigan will be promoted to Senior Vice President of Legal & Regulatory Affairs and Magdalena Padilla will become Senior Vice President of Government Affairs.
“I am so pleased to have such an outstanding leadership team at NJ CAR,” stated Laura. “Greyson and Magdalena bring a lot to the table, and we want to recognize what they have accomplished and will do for our dealer members long into the future.”
About The New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers
The New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR), founded in 1918, is a non-profit organization serving approximately 520 neighborhood new car dealerships throughout New Jersey. Auto retailing is a $43 billion per year industry in the Garden State, employing more than 37,000 men and women in good paying local jobs selling and servicing new and used cars and trucks. NJCAR’s mission is to promote the principals of commercial honor and integrity in the sale and service of motor vehicles and to keep its members informed about regulatory compliance matters and industry best practices, as well as to advocate for government policies that benefit auto retailers and consumers.