BEHIND THE WHEEL By David Madeira Vice-Chairman AAT
DRIVING FORWARD in 2021
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020 is in the rear-view mirror, and we are decidedly not looking back. I’m delighted to say that we are “Driving Forward” in our efforts to preserve automotive heritage and promote the interests of the enthusiast community! In fact, even with the forced closure of LeMay – America’s Car Museum for much of the year, we were committed to the idea that we must “drive forward” in every way we could to bring hope, encouragement and demonstrate that better days lay ahead for all of us. And in spite of the difficulties, we made amazing progress in our mission to be at the center of automotive culture and an agent for collaboration among like-minded organizations. I’m proud to announce that as 2020 closed we: • F ormalized an affiliation with the NB Center for American Automotive Heritage in Allentown, PA, to promote heritage efforts, particularly in the Northeast. • Completed a similar agreement with the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, MI, which enhances the work we are doing in the Midwest. • And, brought the wonderful America On Wheels Museum also in Allentown, PA, into America’s Automotive Trust giving us an East Coast Museum as a partner to the LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, WA.
Jeff Romig, President of the Gilmore Car Museum, accepts the Nicola Bulgari Award for Chairman Bill Parfet from AAT Vice Chairman David Madeira. Photo by John Lacko
helming last year’s record-setting virtual Wheels and Heels Gala, now brings his organizational wisdom and energy to the fore, taking the baton from the indomitable Corry McFarland, who remains involved as Chairman Emeritus. A reimagined North American International Auto Show by DADA Executive Director and AAT Board Member Rod Alberts will bring The Drive Home series to the forefront of what is now September’s “Motor Bella”. We have to believe our past partnership with NAIAS on The Drive Home was partly a catalyst to this bold reinvention of the legendary auto show, which will be open-air, kinetic and experiential at Pontiac’s M1 Concourse motorsports facility.
All of these relationships extend the impact of America’s Automotive Trust nationally and strengthen each entity through shared resources and programmatic collaboration rather than competition. We’re proud to serve the broader enthusiast and collector communities in this way.
Finally, I’m thrilled to announce that we’ve hired Tabetha Hammer as the new President and CEO of America’s Automotive Trust! Tabetha is a “car girl” through and through and her eleven years of increasing responsibility at Hagerty has demonstrated her leadership skills and commitment to the interests of the collector car community. Tabetha has served on the RPM Foundation and the AAT Boards where she most recently chaired our Marketing Committee. She is committed to our vision and mission and we know that she will continue to keep us “Driving Forward” as she takes the wheel this March. I’ve been on many a road trip with Tabetha and I know she will be a dynamic and successful “Road Boss” for us.
In addition, our new Chairman of the Board, Michael Towers, direct from
Join me in welcoming her. And JOIN us as we Drive Forward together. OPENROAD 5
