Longtime North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association head Robert Glaser will step down, effective Dec. 31. He'll be replaced by current association attorney John Policastro as its next president and CEO, roles he'll assume on Jan. 1. According to his LinkedIn profile, Policastro has been the association's general counsel since 2006.

It’s been over two decades since Glaser took on the role of NCADA’s CEO in February 1996, when he became executive vice president before taking on the role of CEO and president in 1999.

Glaser has held many industry roles, including:

• Past chairman of the Automotive Trade Association Executives in McLean, Va.

• Past chairman of the Association Executives of North Carolina, headquartered in Raleigh

• A member of the board of directors for the Dealers Choice Mutual Insurance Co. and the NCADA Insurance Trust.

He has also published articles on association management, the auto industry, and public accounting, the NCADA said.

Glaser's involvement in North Carolina's political community has included being a founding member of the Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change in 2005, and serving on the Board of the North Carolina Forum 2 for Research and Economic Education from 2004 to 2009, as well as the North Carolina Self-Insurance Security Association from 1998 to 2008.

"I am both grateful and humbled to have led NCADA as its CEO over the past two and a half decades and very honored for the many opportunities and experiences I've had throughout my career. I am extremely proud of our association’s volunteer leadership and their unwavering commitment to look ahead, take care of their customers and protect the core values of this great industry. I am confident that with the leadership that we have in place, the association is in great shape for the years ahead,” Glaser said in a press release.

He said Policastro has been preparing for his new role for several years.

“Having worked together for 18 years, 2024 is the right time for John to step forward and assume his place as the fourth CEO of NCADA,” he said. “I’m certain that he will carry on the traditions that are the core tenets of NCADA.”

Alycia Kellum, NCADA’s board chair noted in the press release, "On behalf of the entire NCADA Board of Directors, I would like to recognize Bob's significant leadership and guidance - nearly three decades - for both the association and the industry. He is seen as a leader among his peers in the auto industry, and all industry members have benefited from both his leadership and guidance.

“Strong leaders require strong successors, and the Board is pleased to appoint John Policastro to the role of CEO and president. His experiences and personal style equip him well for the challenges ahead, and we are confident that he will build upon the strong foundation that Bob has built."