The New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR) announced Laura Perrotta as its new president. Perrotta succeeds Jim Appleton, who served as the coalition’s leader 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,” Perrotta said. “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.”
No stranger to the industry, Perrotta has worked in the association world for the past 21 years. Previously, she served as president of the American Truck Dealers, 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, Perrotta 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, Perrotta served as director of Government Relations at the American Traffic Safety Services Association, where she led the organization’s lobbying efforts, served as its Political Action Committee treasurer and focused on a variety of transportation safety issues.
NJ CAR also announced that effective Dec. 1, Greyson Hannigan will be promoted to senior vice president of Legal & Regulatory Affairs and Magdalena Padilla will become senior vice president of Government Affairs.
