The British Columbia based Automotive Retailers Association has announced that its board of directors has chosen veteran ARA executive Adrian Scovell as the new president and chief executive officer of the association effective October 1.

As the association’s next leader, Scovell will craft and execute a vision and strategy for the ARA that maintains its values of creating solutions while working collaboratively with stakeholders and driving its purpose of “igniting the engine of a vibrant B.C. economy.”

“On behalf of the ARA board of directors, I’m delighted to announce Adrian’s appointment as our next president and chief executive officer,” said Ron Tremblay, chair of the ARA board. “His experience and wide skillset along with a proven record of leading high-performing teams will be an asset as we work to build upon the ARA’s tradition of driving industry excellence.”

Scovell comes to the ARA from some of Canada’s most well-known and respected companies—IKEA, Rogers Video, and Belron (parent to Speedy Glass). There he moved through the ranks and built skills in operations, marketing, negotiations, and business development. Along the way, he won two Marketer of the Year awards, among others, and sat on several boards of various charities and working groups.

“Adrian has been part of the ARA since 2005 as a member, division chairman, board member, and, most recently, in various senior director roles. We are pleased that after an exhaustive five-month national search, we were able to appoint from within,” said Tremblay. “Our members have a president and CEO who was a clear leader through the hiring process and is part of the ARA family.”

“As a successful and forward-looking automotive association, the ARA plays a vital role in building an environment where independent business owners can succeed,” said Scovell. “Our members are entrepreneurs who create jobs with one out of seven people in B.C. working in an automotive-related field.

“I look forward to working in my new role with the ARA,” said Scovell. “There is much to be done and all hinges on building alliances and working relationships with government and other stakeholders. I am committed to staying focussed on mutual progress. I’m anticipating many conversations with ministers, business owners, community leaders, sponsors, partners, and staff to understand more about the role they each play and discuss how we can work together to help B.C.’s automotive industry thrive.”

Adrian and his wife Elaine, a special educator, have three adult children. They have lived in Cloverdale for the past 30+ years and plan to continue to do so.

Visit https://www.ara.bc.ca