W. FOSTER WALKER III ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE LOUISIANA AUTOMOBILE DEALERS’S ASSOCIATION

W. Foster Walker III was elected Chairman of the Board of the Louisiana Automobile Dealer’s Association at its Annual Convention on June 19, 2011. Mr. Walker is President of Walker Automotive in Alexandria. Mr. Walker has previously held the positions of Chairman Elect, Treasurer, and District 16 Representative for the Association. The board of directors for the Association is governed by 19 dealers elected from 14 districts in the state. The Association represents approximately 325 automobile dealers in Louisiana and more than a hundred Associate and Subsidiary members.
“I am honored to have been elected as Chairman from my business peers. It is truly an honor to receive the support the other automobile dealer members in the state.” Walker said. “The sale of vehicles in this state greatly affects the general economy through our collection and remittance of sales taxes, corporate taxes and payroll tax. The association members employ more than 12,000 employees throughout the state with average salaries in excess of $45,000. As a member of this vital board, I hope to be able to be a part of the overall economic recovery of our industry in Louisiana.”
Founded in 1937, the LADA provides products and services to enhance the operations of its member dealers. The Association promotes the automotive trade in the state, seeks legislation to benefit the automotive trade and the public consumers of automotive products, and compiles factual data and information which may be useful and valuable to the automotive trade.
Walker Automotive was named the 2010 Better Business Bureau Torch Award winner for 2010 which recognizes local businesses for outstanding ethical practices. This was the second time for Walker Automotive to win this prestigious award. Additionally Walker was recently named to the Wards Dealer Business Dealer 500 in June 2011 which ranks dealers nationally based on total revenue. Walker has consistently made the list for the last decade.
Walker was founded in 1919 as Alexandria Auto Company, Inc. by Foster Walker Sr. Walker Oldsmobile Company and is now run by Foster Walker III. Ninety years after its inception the dealership has expanded from its meager origins to four locations, 7 manufacturers, four service departments and a collision center. Walker employs more than 175 employees. Over the last 9 decades Walker has won numerous national and factory awards for all aspects of its business. Walker Automotive offers new and pre-owned vehicles ranging from quality entry level models to German luxury vehicles.