It’s been a full and fast-paced year at LADA, and while I know many of you are eager to hear about the 2025 legislative session, I’d like to begin by reflecting on the meaningful spring we’ve shared and the milestones we’ve celebrated together.
In May, we hosted a successful Dealer Day at the Capitol, which also included LADA’s annual meeting. Over the course of two days, we met with elected officials at our Legislative Reception, welcomed Governor Jeff Landry as our breakfast keynote speaker, and were recognized on both the House and Senate floors. We also held a NextGen breakout session with Senator Thomas Pressly of Shreveport, who shared meaningful insights on the importance of advocacy among the next generation of dealer leaders.
A highlight of the event was honoring Louisiana’s 2025 Dealer of the Year, Mr. Tommy McMath of Arceneaux Ford in New Iberia. Tommy embodies everything this award represents — dealership excellence, deep-rooted community involvement and longstanding service to the association. He has served LADA as a board member and chair and led the LADA Workers’ Compensation Fund as chair for many years. His leadership continues to set a high standard for our industry.
We carried that spirit into our annual convention at The Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama — a truly memorable and impactful gathering. For those who attended, I think we’d all agree it offered valuable opportunities to reconnect — with one another and with our LADA-endorsed and associate members. But what made this year’s convention truly unforgettable was the emotion and meaning behind two special moments: the formal passing of the gavel and the unveiling of the Dealer of the Year caricature.
Outgoing Chair Kristie McMath Hebert of Arceneaux Ford passed the gavel to incoming Chair Patton Fritze of Red River Chevrolet. While this ceremonial tradition takes place every two years, this particular handoff carried deeper significance. Kristie led LADA with steadiness, clarity and resolve through a pivotal chapter in our history — the search for and transition to a new president and CEO, something our association has only undergone once before.
What Kristie accomplished during her tenure was remarkable by any standard. Alongside her responsibilities with LADA, she helped lead her husband, State Representative Troy Hebert, to victory in a hard-fought campaign that unseated an incumbent — all while continuing to run a successful dealership. As her term drew to a close, she faced another personal challenge: her father’s need for a lung transplant. In typical Kristie fashion, she stepped in without hesitation, coordinating his care and supporting him through a successful transplant. And through it all, she remained a devoted wife and loving mother to Mia and Jude — the roles that matter most to her.
Kristie never misses a beat. No matter the demands or the pressure, she shows up — fully present, fully committed. Thank you, Kristie, for your extraordinary leadership and unwavering dedication to the association.
To me, the passing of the gavel was more than just a tradition this year — it was a powerful reflection of what makes Louisiana’s dealer body and the franchise system so special. Both Kristie and Patton grew up attending LADA conventions, watching their fathers, Tommy and George, serve as chairs of this association while leading their own dealerships. Today, they continue that legacy with pride, guiding their businesses and serving this association with the same spirit of dedication and leadership. I look forward to Patton’s leadership and am confident he will build upon the strong foundation laid by those who came before him.
The convention was also unforgettable for another reason: We had the privilege of unveiling the custom caricature LADA commissions each year for Louisiana’s Dealer of the Year, honoring Tommy McMath and capturing his life, legacy and decades of service to our industry. While Tommy and his wife, Janie, joined us virtually from Houston as he continues his recovery, their family was there in person to receive the tribute. Travis, Kristie, their spouses, and Tommy and Janie’s greatest joy — their grandchildren — were all in attendance. Kristie had previously accepted the award on Tommy’s behalf at the annual meeting. But at the convention, watching his family receive the caricature and hearing Tommy’s heartfelt acceptance speech, along with Janie’s words, even from afar, was incredibly moving. It was a moment filled with love, pride and connection. I won’t forget this event, and I know many of you feel the same.
Looking ahead, our focus shifts to grassroots advocacy.
This fall, we’ll launch the Legislative Roadshow — a statewide tour to meet directly with dealer members and local legislators. These meetings are critical to shaping our 2026 legislative agenda and ensuring your voice is heard at the Capitol. Your input drives everything we do, and I strongly encourage every dealer to attend and share what matters most to your business and your community.
We’re also excited to introduce a NextGen Retreat later this year. Modeled after a 20 Group, the retreat will bring together the next generation of Louisiana dealers to connect, learn from each other’s experiences, and deepen their understanding of advocacy’s role in safeguarding our industry’s future.
Finally, we’ll participate in the upcoming NADA Legislative Fly-In in Washington, D.C. This event offers a vital opportunity to meet with members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation — the strongest it’s ever been — and engage with them directly on federal issues affecting dealerships nationwide.
Thank you for trusting me to lead this association. It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly, and one I’m honored to carry. We’ve built real momentum together this year — through meaningful wins, strong partnerships and a shared belief in the future of Louisiana’s dealers. I’m proud of the ground we’ve covered, but I’m even more excited about what’s ahead. Let’s keep showing up, speaking out and racking up wins that matter for your business and the communities you serve.
