Michael K. Alford, dealer principal of Marine Chevrolet in Jacksonville, N.C., and Trent Buick GMC and Trent Cadillac in New Bern, N.C., is the current chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association. He entered the car business in 1992 after a career in banking. He joined his father-in-law in the family business, working in all departments while attending the NADA Dealer Academy and purchased the dealership in 1997.

He is committed to supporting the military and employs many former service members; in 2007 he chaired the NC Military Growth Task Force, assembling local leaders to address social and infrastructure needs of Marine Corps bases in North Carolina. Alford was the recipient of the 2013 TIME Dealer of the Year.