2024 NEW 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!

David Norton is an automotive consultant, and President-Elect 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. 

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. 

*Worked in the Furniture Industry for over 25 years
*Entered sales management for a few large Furniture Manufacturers for 15 years
*Worked in developing a large track of land for Retail sales in Oklahoma for 2 years

*Working now for Starsgps for over 13 years
*Army National Guard 6 years
*Earned my pilot license in 1988
*Married with 4 children, 7 grandchildren 
*Love to play golf and spend time with family
 

  TNIADA became #1 in "new dealer memberships" in the Nation under Karen's leadership and  development with the Board of Directors' support. She took the association from 80 members in Sept 21 to 250 in less than two years. 

She has worked in automotive industry with franchise, independents and other small businesses for nine years in multi-screen advertising/campaigns. 

Karen co-owned a car lot with her husband, Robert Brown, for over 6 years in Cookeville from 2005-2011. Robert has been in the automotive industry his entire career and works with the floorplan side of the business for last 13 years. While the Browns owned the car lot, she worked at the State of TN, Department of Economic and Community Development with cities, chambers and counties on best practices in strategic planning, supporting the Governor's THREE STAR PROGRAM as a Regional Economic Development Specialist

During the pandemic, Karen was employed as auction sales representative for Dealers Auto Auction, Murfreesboro. She identified with the need for more support and education for Tennessee dealers, like so many in the industry having lived all sides of the business. Karen started her career as a Marketing Director for TN rural hospitals in Middle Tennessee; Stones River Hospital of Woodbury and River Park of McMinnville TN, and enjoyed her time in the healthcare industry. 

She has a Communications degree from 

Middle Tennessee State University with emphasis in Public Relations.