Larry Kull is a political realist.
“I don’t expect to eliminate government involvement in our stores or our industry,” says the new chairman of the American International Automobile Dealers Assn.
But that doesn’t mean he plans to step aside and watch federal legislators and regulators go to town in the nation’s capital.
“I will work throughout this year to ensure that those making the laws and setting the regulations have some understanding of how our businesses are run,” Kull says. “It must be our mission in Washington to educate them.”
Kull is the president of Burns Kull Automotive, a Marlton, NJ, dealership group founded in 1975 by the late Richard N. Kull and Ed Burns.
Larry Kull and family members operate stores representing Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Scion, Subaru, Buick, GMC, and Chevrolet brands.
Kull’s AIADA involvement goes back several years. The trade group represents the interests of dealers selling international brands. Its mission centers on opposing potential trade legislation that could hurt the import-car business in the U.S. Opposition to tariffs and the like is a long-standing association position, although less of a rallying cry lately.
At its annual meeting, AIADA recognized Orange County, CA, dealer David Wilson with its 2014 David F. Mungenast Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award is named after the late AIADA chairman who was known throughout the auto retail industry for his commitment to his community and the industry. Wilson operates the 16-store Wilson Automotive Group, a mainstay on the WardsAuto Megadealer 100.
“I can think of no one more deserving of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award than David Wilson,” AIADA President Cody Lusk says. “His commitment to the industry as well as his community is truly an example.”
In addition to Kull, AIADA’s 2014 officers are: Jenell Ross, immediate past chairwoman (Centerville, OH); Brad Hoffman, chairman-elect (East Hartford, CT); and Greg Kaminsky, secretary/treasurer (El Cajon, CA).
