Andrew D. Koblenz is the National Automobile Dealers Association’s Executive Vice President of Strategic Affairs and Industry Initiatives. In this role, he helps guide the association as it confronts strategic challenges associated with the evolution of the auto industry, including the electrification of the fleet, new and developing distribution channels, and the increasing role of data and AI.

Koblenz previously served NADA for over 18 years as EVP of Legal and Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel. In that capacity, he directed the association’s Legal and Regulatory Group, which represents NADA and dealer interests before federal agencies and courts, provides substantive support to other NADA departments and the state and metro ATAEs, and produces extensive dealer education materials and legal compliance guidance.

Before his work in the legal and regulatory arenas, Koblenz was Vice President of Industry Affairs, directing the activities of NADA’s Industry Relations and Industry Analysis departments, as well as the association’s American Truck Dealers division.

Throughout his tenure in NADA’s executive leadership, Koblenz has been instrumental in conceiving, developing, and implementing many of NADA’s most central policy positions and strategies. These have included the association’s positioning on (1) the evolution of the automobile distribution model, (2) the defense of the franchise system, (3) the advent of electric and autonomous vehicles, (4) the defense of the indirect auto financing model and voluntary protection products, and (5) the evolution of data use and sharing in the auto retailing industry, just to name a few.

In addition, Koblenz has championed building relationships between NADA and key external constituencies, including, notably, the vehicle finance and Wall Street analyst communities. Finally, he has played a crucial role in advancing NADA’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Before joining NADA, Koblenz served five years as a senior attorney with the American Automobile Manufacturers Association. He advised the association on various issue areas, including sales, credit, leasing, finance law, product safety and liability, intellectual property, and benefits and taxation. From 1990 to 1994, Koblenz was a partner at the Washington, D.C. law firm of Richardson, Berlin & Morvillo, where he specialized in corporate and securities matters. Koblenz attended Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., and received his B.A. in political science, summa cum laude, in 1978. In 1981, he received his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School.

Koblenz is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the American Law Institute. The father of three and grandfather of three, he lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife of 43 years, Katey, and their English bulldog, Oliver.