Peggy Lewis Fu – Executive Director @ Washington State Auto Dealers Association
Our Herd Freed Hartz executive search team was honored to partner with Washington State Auto Dealers Association on a retained executive search to find their new Executive Director.
For more than a century, the Washington State Auto Dealers Association (WSADA) has served as the collective voice of franchised automobile dealers across Washington State. Representing nearly 300 dealer members operating more than 350 rooftops, WSADA supports an industry that employs approximately 22,000 Washingtonians and plays a vital role in local economies from the Puget Sound to Central and Eastern Washington.
WSADA exists to ensure a fair, competitive, and consumer-focused automotive marketplace. The association advocates on behalf of its members before state and national policymakers and regulatory bodies, while delivering value through education, compliance resources, training partnerships, industry events, and revenue-generating programs that strengthen dealers’ ability to operate successfully in a rapidly evolving industry.
Headquartered in Renton, WSADA operates with a lean professional staff supported by a highly integrated network of consultants and strategic partners. The organization manages a $4.3M annual operating budget, oversees a long-term investment portfolio (including a Legal Defense Fund), and stewards both nonprofit and for-profit operations, including major industry events, training platforms, and enterprise programs. WSADA is financially strong, debt-free, and consistently receives clean annual audits.
“Peggi brings an exceptional combination of leadership, advocacy expertise, strategic vision, and association management experience,” said Brad Brotherton, WSADA Board Member, Past President, and Chair of the Executive Director Search Committee. “Her proven ability to build consensus, navigate complex public policy issues, and deliver value to members made her the clear choice to lead WSADA. We are excited to welcome her to the Association and look forward to the future under her leadership.”
Fu said she is honored to join an organization with such a strong reputation and proud history of service.
“One of the things that most impressed me about Washington’s automobile dealers is their extraordinary commitment to philanthropy and community service,” Fu said. “Across the state, dealers invest countless hours and resources supporting local charities, youth programs, schools, workforce development initiatives, and organizations that strengthen the communities they call home. That spirit of giving back is inspiring and speaks to the important role dealers play far beyond their businesses. I look forward to building relationships with our members, learning from their experiences, and working together to advance WSADA’s mission and the future of Washington’s automotive retail industry.” For the full WSADA press release.
This retained executive search was led by Scott Rabinowitz/Partner and Ross Fletcher/Partner.
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