After three years at the helm of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association, President and CEO John White is stepping down, and is relocating with his family back to Montreal. CADA has hired an executive search firm to find his replacement.
“It’s been a great three years. I have truly enjoyed working with the CADA team and with our incredible dealers across Canada. I gained an even deeper appreciation for how hard they work, and what skilled entrepreneurs and business people they are,” said White, in an interview in the CADA offices.
White said he’s making the move for family reasons, and determined it wasn’t feasible to continue performing the role from Montreal. But he stressed that it’s still “business as usual” with the CADA until his successor takes over in September.
“My focus is to help with the search and to help with an orderly transition of responsibilities,” said White. “But we still have important files that have my attention. We are working on a report on the future of automotive retailing in Canada, and will be sharing our findings with dealers in the coming months,” he said, adding that the association continues to fight hard on issues like steel and aluminum tariffs and the USMCA trade agreement.
“As far as dealers are concerned, I am still there fighting for their interests and I want to ensure a seamless transition of responsibilities,” said White.
White said he still plans to stay involved in the automotive industry in some capacity after he relocates to Montreal.
White has had a long and distinguished career in the auto industry, including serving as President & CEO for Volkswagen Group of Canada.
Before taking on the role with CADA, White was President & Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Australia from 2013-2015. He’s also held multiple positions with the Volkswagen Group in both the United States and Canada as well as early on in his career with General Motors of Canada at GMC Truck.
White has also held numerous board positions with automotive-related organizations and volunteers with Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
White holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree Major, Administrative Management, from Concordia University.
