Lou Vitantonio, Jr. became the President of the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association in 2010. The following year, he became the President of the Cleveland Auto Show. Over his tenure, Lou has held the position of Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs and was responsible for overseeing multiple products, programs and services provided by the GCADA.
After graduating with a marketing degree from John Carroll University in 1996, he went on to complete his M.B.A at John Carroll University in 1998 while working at the GCADA. In 2001, Lou received his Juris Doctor from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He is a 1992 graduate of Walsh Jesuit High School.
Lou has served as Chairperson of the Auto Shows of North America, was a member of the NADA’s Regulatory Affairs Committee, and was named Executive of the Year by the Automotive Trade Association Executives (ATAE), an award that recognizes outstanding work in representation of the nation's franchised new car and truck dealerships.
Lou Vitantonio has served on the Harvest for Hunger Kitchen Cabinet since 2014, providing support and leadership to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s annual Harvest for Hunger springtime campaign. Lou resides in Independence, Ohio with his wife Penny and their three daughters. He enjoys exercise, boating, and volunteer coaching.
Listen to the CEOs You Should Know podcast with Lou Vitantonio, Jr. below.
The Automobile Dealers Educational Assistance Foundation, Inc. (ADEAF) was founded in 1970. Originally formed as a legal defense fund, providing financial assistance to dealers in legal proceedings, today ADEAF funds charitable contributions on behalf of the dealer group, provides a number of scholarship awards, and funds industry public affairs, public relations, and other communications programs. It also assists with the funding of the Association’s general operating budget.
Today, the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association (GCADA), which represents over 250 new motor vehicle dealerships in a 21-county region of northern Ohio, including franchised new-car and truck, motorcycle and recreational vehicle (RV) dealers, provides 45 products and programs, including many specialized services such as a second-tier financing company, HR management program, sales consultant and title clerk training classes, in-house legal services, and promotes the Cleveland Auto Show.
Visit the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealer's Association: HERE