Rod Parr, owner of Parr Ford, Parr Mazda and Parr Imports in Bremerton, has been elected as the new president of the Washington State Auto Dealers Association (WSADA). The group represents the interests of auto dealers across the state and lobbies in Olympia on their behalf.

Parr says he has a number of goals for the group which include increasing both membership and participation in the organization, and to have at least 100 dealers at Dealer Day 2002 in Olympia.

“The association can do so many things that individual dealers can’t” stated Parr. “He pointed to the passage of franchise legislation last year, the elimination of the Vehicle Identification Number inspection and Business and Occupation tax reform as examples. He encouraged dealers to look to WSADA as a tool to help their individual businesses.

He is also preparing to establish what he termed an “Advertising Advisory Board” for dealers across the state.

“It’s disheartening when fellow dealers feel they have turn each other in for questionable advertising,” he said. “We need to help ourselves and be protective of the dealer body’s reputation as a whole.”

Parr began his automotive career after graduating high school by working in the parts department at Bowen Scarff Ford in Kent. He later earned a degree in marketing from San Jose State University and returned to Washington to work for Bowen Scarff Ford, which had become Korum Ford, as well other Puget Sound area dealerships.

In 1983, he came to Bremerton and became a partner in Bennett Ford, buying the dealership the following year and renaming it Parr Ford.

He is currently in the process of constructing what has already became a local landmark, a new 11 and a half acre dealership that fronts Highway 3 and spans the distance between Loxie Eagans Blvd. and Navy Yard Highway.

When completed, the 63,000 square foot building will feature three showrooms, 31 service bays, a restaurant, store and kids playroom.

Parr owns the Ford, Mazda, Volkswagen, Isuzu, Hyundai and Daewoo franchises.