MEET the 2023 executive board MEmbers

---

David Norton has been named as the Chief Operating Officer of Car World of Arkansas with 4 locations and expanding into TN.

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

Originally from California, Don made Knoxville his home in the mid 70's. A graduate of Pellissippi State and University of  Tennessee,  focusing on Business Management which has steered him to a successful life path.  Don had a keen eye and love for being a entrepreneur from a young age, buying refurbishing, and selling cars as a teenager. His path for excellence motivated him to join the military, and served in the Navy Reserves for 6 years. 

Don managed several successful locations in a Knoxville chain before branching out on his own to build his own personal business opportunities. 

Don is owner of Parker Auto Sales, 1 Auto Finance, and Green Light Auto.  Along with his wife, Stephanie, they run a large, thriving company in the heart of Knoxville. This success is largely in part to the tremendously energetic, professional, and hard working staff that has grown into family over the years at each location. 

Don has served on the TNIADA Board for many years, and his goal is to build a strong, cohesive group to stand up for the small dealers, and make sure all Tennessee dealers have a voice at the State and Federal level of government.

Don is an avid boater, fisherman, and traveler. 

He is the proud Father of Parker, 

United States Soldier. 

Born and raised in Madison, Tn I was the youngest of 3 siblings. My father worked at the DuPont factory in Old Hickory Tn for 35 years and my mother was a housewife/entrepreneur. My parents instilled a hard work ethic in myself and my brother and sister and they were adamant that we all 3 achieve a college degree. I am currently married for almost 22 years and have 3 children ages 10-16. 

I started in the automotive industry in 1993 after graduating from Cumberland University.

I am the current owner of Franklin Motor Company which has been in business since 1987.

I am also an owner of Cal Tenn Financial LLC and Cal Tenn Georgia Inc. These entities own dealerships in Florida and Georgia.

Cal Tenn also purchases, services and brokers auto receivables for dealers. Cal Tenn Financial has been in business since 2007

Other than serving on the Board for the TNIADA for the last several years, I am also actively involved with the Humane Society, United Cerebral Palsey and several youth sports organizations. Franklin Motors our dealership in Tn is a proud corporate sponsor of the Tn Titans and the Nashville Predators. 

I pride myself in making the automotive industry a better place for dealers, consumers and vendors!  I think it is important for our industry to have strong leaders which hold themselves to a higher standard of professionalism. I have felt that the TNIADA is a platform for those dealers to standout and serve our industry. It has been an honor and a pleasure to be actively involved with the TNIADA. 

WELCOME JOHN, 2023 NEW BOARD MEMBER

John Somich is a life-long resident of the Piney Flats area. It is a small community between Johnson City and Bristol on Highway 11-E sixteen miles from Virginia and 27 miles from North Carolina. I have been an independent automobile dealer Since 1992 operating as many as four locations since that time. I currently have two locations in the Tri-Cities area. 

Having never worked in any car business except the one I started in my driveway. Subsequently, I have come to understand the value of professional education and the necessity of continuous improvement. I believe strongly in the NIADA and the subordinate state associations. The NIADA was invaluable in helping me regain my balance after "cash for clunkers" shattered my initial BHPH business model that had served me well for 16 previous years. 

I am married to Michele Somich and have two daughters Stephanie and Gracie. I am a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Army Reserve logging twenty-six years of service. For the last nine years I have served on the Board of Directors of the Dawn of Hope, a non-profit organization operating more than 20 group homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout east Tennessee. Most of the time I have served as their Treasurer. My wife and I worship and serve at First Christian Church, Johnson City Tennessee.

   Shane serves as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Easy Auto Credit, Inc. & Sunrise Acceptance, Inc., in Cleveland, TN. Shane has been with Easy Auto since 2004 and a minority owner and Board Member since 2007. During Shane’s first year with Easy Auto, he sold cars for 4 months, was a store manager for 3 months, and spent time in the Collections, Underwriting and Administration departments to learn all aspects of the BHPH business. Starting in 2008, Shane led Easy Auto’s expansion from two dealerships to six. Easy Auto’s Tennessee locations include Cleveland, Chattanooga (East Ridge), Knoxville, and Murfreesboro; and they also have locations in Dalton and Rome, Georgia. 

Shane’s background prior to joining Easy Auto was in public accounting. Shane was with Arthur Andersen LLP from 1990 to 2002, most recently as Partner in charge of the Chattanooga audit practice. The Chattanooga Arthur Andersen office was merged into Ernst & Young LLP in 2002; and Shane served as an Audit Principal at Ernst & Young in Chattanooga through 2004. Shane worked as a lot attendant in high school and as salesperson (part time) at a Ford Dealership while in college. 

Shane graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a BS in Accounting in May 1990; and from Bradley Central HS in 1986, where he played football, wrestled and was the class Treasurer. Shane serves on the Board/Advisory/Leadership teams for a number of local and international organizations which are important to him, including FCA, Noura International and TNIADA.

Shane lives in Cleveland and is married to Dee Dee and they have six children and four grandchildren.  Shane enjoys watching his children (and shortly grandchildren) play sports and Shane is also an avid Pickleball player. 

   For over 10 years, Branden Wilson has worked with a broad range of automotive related clients, ranging from single-point independent and franchise dealers to multi-point dealers and finance companies servicing more than $1 billion in lease and BHPH portfolios. Due to the depth of his experience, his clients rely on his insight  into operations and view him as an “outsourced COO/CFO” in  many ways. Though Branden primarily works with auto dealers, Branden also provides assurance, tax and advisory services to clients of various sizes and industries. His work ethic and attention to detail have developed him into a leader within both the audit and tax departments, where he provides a broad range of services, ranging from complex GAAP accounting and consulting to proactive tax planning and preparation. While much of his time is spent serving clients located within  Chattanooga and the surrounding areas, his automotive niche  expertise and multi-state tax experience has allowed him to  service clients throughout the Northeast, Midwest and Southeast  parts of the US. Branden resides in Cleveland, TN with his wife, daughter and two  sons   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!

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!

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.