Pub. 5 Issue 2

14 Issue 2 2019 public perception of the industry among Congress, the media, and communities and customers. “If you think we can shape perception of dealers, then you are in the right place,” Gilchrist said. “The reality of our industry is that we must communicate when we go to the Hill.” The power of individuals taking action together on behalf of the entire industry was a common theme throughout the morn- ing session. Jodie Teuton, chairwoman of the American Truck Dealers (ATD), called on conference attendees to join commercial truck dealers and dealer association executives, as well as The Modernize the Truck Fleet coalition, in supporting legislation that would repeal the federal excise tax (FET) on heavy-duty trucks and trailers. ConferenceSpeakersProvideMultiplePerspectives Two regulatory officials, two members of Congress (one from each side of the aisle) and one journalism legend rounded out the impressive roster of speakers at the morning session. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler gave an important up- date related to fuel economy regulations, and National Highway Traffic Administration Chief Counsel Jonathan Morrison, Sen. TimScott (R-S.C.), and Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.) also spoke at the morning session, highlighting “the good, the bad and the ugly” – as Sen. Scott described it – of the current policy agenda and political environment in Washington D.C. Brown and Scott agreed that there was only a limited amount of time left on the legislative calendar to get anything done before the campaign season distractedCongress. That’s why it was impor- tant for the NADAmember advocates like Foster McKissick IV of Fairway Ford in Greenville, S.C., to be in D.C. this week and tell members of Congress how they are doing and what they could be doing better. “We love to hear stories [about policy impacts] and the automotive sector is full of good stories,” he said. Speaking of stories, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative jour- nalist and bestselling author Bob Woodward ended the morning by sitting downwith Charlie Gilchrist to share a few jokes and tell some of the riveting stories of leadership that he has collected over his illustrious 48-year career covering the nine presidents from Nixon to Trump. Woodward said that although he didn’t realize it at the time, President Gerald Ford displayed the greatest leader- ship traits when he put the good of the country over politics and pardoned Nixon. “Presidents should ask: What’s the next stage of good for the majority of the people in this country and what’s the strategy to get there,” Woodward said.  “If you think we can shape perception of dealers, then you are in the right place,” Gilchrist said. “The reality of our industry is that we must communicate when we go to the Hill.”