First chairwoman elected in CADA's 75-year history

July 15, 12:33 PMWomen of the Web ExaminerBrit Horvat

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Nancy Ariano (The Denver Post)

The Colorado Automobile Dealers Association has been around for 75 years, and for the first time in its history, a woman has been elected as the new chair. CADA reported July 14 that Nancy Ariano, of Durango, is the company's first chairwoman.

Ariano has been in the industry for 28 years. She currently owns New Country Auto Center in Durango and New Country Cortez in Cortez.

CADA's President, Tim Jackson, will be working very closely with Ariano.

"Nancy is well-respected within the industry," says Jackson. "She's very active in the political process and the community. She will do a great job."

Ariano also is one of the developers and creators of Durango's unique housing community, La Campanella. According to Ariano's bio on the site, it says:

"Nancy is known widely in Southwest Colorado as the owner of New Country Auto, Durango and Cortez - the largest dealership in the region. Though women are few in the auto biz, New Country regularly breaks profit and sales records, often far ahead of her male peers. Indeed, Nancy's ability to maneuver quickly and capitalize on business opportunities to her ultimate success has been likened to the ability of a speedboat to turn quickly on the fly ..."

Quick Q&A with Nancy Ariano

What tasks will you be taking on as the chair?

CADA is one of Colorado's strongest and most influential trade associations in the state. To summarize just a few of the objectives of the organization, we participate in our state and national government to promote the dealers common interests when consistent with the public interest, coordinate educational instruments for the educational needs of the dealers and their employees, interpret and report on changing social governmental and economic conditions affecting automobile dealers and provide forums for the communication of issues, trends and opportunities of the trade. As chairperson, I manage the boards business and act as their facilitator and guide. It is my duty to plan and manage board and committee meetings, and to communicate with senior management to ensure the effectiveness of the board and of the organization as a whole.

How do you feel about being the first chairwoman in a male-dominated industry?

It's an honor for me to represent an organization with the stature of CADA. I have been active on the board for the past 5 years, and gender has never been an issue. Having been in the business 28 years, I'm used to being the only woman in many circumstances so it's a pretty benign topic most of the time!