2025 Executive Board members

When I say I had a crash course in car dealing, it could be taken literally, as I was exclusively a salvage rebuilder for the first years of my career. 

From 2003-2008 I bought cars online nationwide,  led the troops in parts ordering, rebuilding, inspecting the work, and submitting rebuilt title applications. It was an incredible experience of problem-solving and building momentum in the business, and is a season of life I look back at fondly. 

Around 2009-2012, I attended industry conferences, NABD and NIADA on several occasions. It was quite an eye opener. I'd always return from those conferences with a renewed sense of vigor and outlook, and business continued to catapult. 

The best practices and business theories I learned those years at the conferences would serve me well for some time to come.

One of the lessons I learned was the meaning of success. Not the dollars in the bank account, but the personal level of happiness. I realized there is a certain happiness in simplicity. So now I just have my one store, in Goodlettsville, and am happier and more hopeful for the future than ever. 

There are many struggles personally and professionally that an independent dealer goes through in their growth and development. 

Here at your service to help in any way I can for our industry.

 I have been in sales for most of my life and got into the car business in 1999. I spent the first 11 years working in the franchise side for FORD and LAND ROVER. I moved to the independent side in 2010 and have not looked back.
I first had an unsuccessful lot for a couple of years and then went to work for a dealer who continued to grow over the years. Going from one small lot to having three successful dealerships and a successful service center, I started at the ground level and became Vice President over all operations.
After over 6 years, I decided I was ready to open for myself again. My wife and I opened THORPE AUTOMOTIVE almost four years ago and we continue to grow. We have a 4.8 to 4.9 customer rating on at least 5 different social media platforms.
We are members of the BBB and we believe in community outreach. We simply try to do what is right and we try to treat people the way we would like to be treated. 

 I would first say I am a God Fearing man and certainly try to put my faith first in everything I do. Not perfect by any means and mess up on a daily basis. Thank the lord for his Mercy and Grace!

Representing WEST TN

Career Bio: Fahad Sayani**

Fahad Sayani is a dynamic automotive entrepreneur whose journey in the industry began at the young age of 12. Driven by a passion for cars and a keen business sense, he laid the foundation for a successful career early on. In 2002, at just 19 years old, Fahad opened his first dealership, marking the beginning of an impressive trajectory in the automotive world.

Today, he proudly serves as the owner-operator of Car Corner in Memphis, where his commitment to quality service and customer satisfaction has propelled the dealership to success. This year, Fahad and his team celebrated 20 remarkable years in business, a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering dedication to the automotive industry.

Under Fahad's leadership, Car Corner has become a trusted name in the community, known for its integrity and excellence. His innovative approach and ability to adapt to market trends have not only sustained the business but also fostered a loyal customer base. As he continues to expand his vision for Car Corner, Fahad remains a prominent figure in the automotive landscape, inspiring future generations of entrepreneurs.

Pierce Reaves of Wayne Reaves - Vendor BOD 

Chief Revenue Officer 

Wayne Reaves Software

Pierce Reaves was born in 1997 to Jason and Lillian Reaves. He is the grandson of Wayne and Virginia Reaves. Pierce holds a degree in Business Agricultural Management from Abraham Baldwin, a division of the University of Georgia.

During his early high school and college years, Pierce interned at Wayne Reaves Software during the summers. However, he also forged a path in Land Management, gaining a unique business perspective. This experience allowed him to return to Wayne Reaves Software in the spring of 2022 with a fresh perspective on the business world.

Upon returning to Wayne Reaves Software, Pierce fulfilled his childhood dream. He had grown up in this space and attended over 80 conventions and trade shows. Pierce has assisted Jason in teaching both the Continuing Education Side and the Pre-License side for the state of Georgia. He attended intensive training sessions at Butler Lexus in Macon, Georgia, where he interned for three months. He also has completed several consulting jobs for different Dealerships. Additionally, Pierce has spoken at numerous conventions on various topics, ranging from the technical aspects of the software to the business side of the automotive industry. To stay current with the ever-changing auto industry, Pierce attends legal and compliance seminars throughout the country, including Hudson Cook and Ignite Conference.

Pierce is leading the next phase of Wayne Reaves Software's expansion beyond its current 27 states. He has established connections across the country to position the company for growth in both existing and new markets.

Pierce shares his father and grandfather's desire to give back to the industry. Both Wayne and Jason have served on multiple boards at association and state government levels. Pierce wants to continue this tradition by contributing his time and expertise.

 General Manager & Dealer Principal of Earl Duff Subaru 1989-2022

Subaru National Dealer Advisory Board 2001-2022

Dealer Principal Earl Duff Pre-owned Center 2021-present

My father started as a used car dealer in Harriman in 1968, the year I was born. He acquired the Subaru franchise in 1973. I literally grew up in the car business. I have worked in our stores from the time I was 12 years old performing every role in the dealership except technician. I took over as GM of our Subaru franchise after college and built the store into a top performing dealership. In 2020, under my leadership, we built a new Subaru facility in Kingston where we quickly increased our new and used sales numbers to over 100 units per month. I was approached by a large auto group about acquiring our Subaru franchise last year and completed the sale in September 2022. Our family now operates an independent used car dealership on the site of our previous Subaru location in Harriman.

Over the years, I’ve served on many city and county boards as well as various church and secular committees. This service combined with my 21 years’ experience on the Subaru Dealer Advisory Board has taught me how to work with my peers toward common goals. My experience as a former new car dealer, as well as my roots in the used car business, gives me a unique perspective for new and used car dealer needs. I feel I would be an asset to the TNIADA Board in identifying and lobbying for needed changes in our industry. 

David Meyer, Advantage GPS of Knoxville, Vendor BOD

David Meyer, president of Advantage Automotive Analytics, has been an ardent and active supporter of the Tennessee IADA even as we began exploring creating the organization.

“Our senior leadership at Advantage has made support of the NIADA and its state affiliates a top priority,” Meyer said. “Having local associations dedicated to assisting dealers with their business, operations, and compliance needs and supporting consumers by encouraging ethical standards is essential to a healthy used vehicle marketplace.

“We’re proud to support the Tennessee IADA. The association continues to grow its membership and services, and we’re pleased we can play a role.” 

Meyer began his automotive career at a retail dealership at a young age. He excelled in all areas inside the dealership and rose to the position of General Manager of a high-volume, new car franchise dealership group. 

During his retail tenure, Meyer also successfully owned BHPH and Powersports dealerships; he understands first-hand the challenges faced by today’s automotive dealerships and lenders.

Before taking his post at Advantage, Meyer was Executive Vice President of Sales and Services at Spireon, Inc., responsible for most of the company’s operations. He has over 28 years of industry experience; Meyer established several fundamental building blocks in technology that have been adopted and are still used today by over 14,000 car dealerships nationwide.

David Norton is at Dobbs Equity Partners as Managing Director, and President of the President's Council for NIADA this year.

Formerly at The Auto Advertising Agency as Chief Operating Officer and American Car Center where he led retail operations in sales, reconditioning, and revenue with over $550MM in receivables. He has spearheaded growth and store development resulting in over 400% growth in sales all while managing over 250 employees in retail and recon operations. Leading the expansion and growth from 6 retail lots to 68 in 6 ½ years, David has an eye for identifying market opportunities and has been applauded for not only maximizing portfolio growth but process and staff efficiencies as well. 

Prior to joining American Car Center, David spent 4 years as the Vice President of Finance and Sales for a large regional BHPH dealer with 5 locations in East Tennessee and North Georgia.  A graduate of Rhodes College, where he was Captain of the Men’s Basketball Team, Norton has a proven track record of individual accomplishments, but more importantly he has built and managed high performing teams throughout his career

Matt Nibarger is Owner, President and CEO of Prime Auto USA. Prime Auto USA is an independent automobile dealership located in Jackson, TN. He spent nearly 10 years running operations, business development and turn-arounds for a specialty commercial lender named PrimaLend Capital Partners in Dallas, TX. They specialize in doing floor plan and notes receivable loans to in house finance companies. Prior to that he worked for Bank of America and Morgan Stanley owned Saxon Mortgage. He has an undergraduate degree in business and an MBA in finance.