The National Automobile Dealers Association will have only its second female leader when Sandy Fitzgerald Angello of Pohanka Automotive Group takes the  helm in February.

NADA’s board of directors elevated Angello toward the end of her term as vice chairwoman this year. She’s served alongside 2026 Chairman Rob Cochran of Pennsylvania-based #1 Cochran auto group.

Maryland-based Pohanka founded as a Chevrolet dealership in 1919 in Washington, D.C., now has nearly 25 stores in the metropolitan area and beyond, including two in Texas. She’s served on NADA’s board since 2021.

Angello, who follows Annette Sykora as NADA’s second female leader, said she aims to lead NADA in protecting auto dealers’ business. Sykora served as chairwoman in 2008.

“Given the current challenges facing the auto retail industry, it’s important that we continue building on our advocacy efforts and delivering results for our Main Street businesses and valued customers,” she said.

“The franchised dealer system has given me the opportunity to build a successful business, create good-paying jobs, and serve my community in many meaningful ways. As NADA chairman, I will fight to ensure that the next generation has those same opportunities.”

NADA’s board elected Iowa-based auto dealer Jeff Weber as the nonprofit organization’s 2027 vice chairman. The third-generation dealer operates Anderson-Weber Toyota and Toyota of Muscatine. He entered the industry in 1999 as a finance-and-insurance manager.

Weber said he’ll continue to focus on NADA’s customer experience project promoting transparency to build consumer trust.

“I remain committed to supporting NADA’s advocacy efforts for dealers, building on the recent significant public policy successes while addressing the increasing regulatory pressures we face,” he said.

The new leaders will take office at the NADA Show in Orlando, Fla., along with Secretary Joe Massarelli and Treasurer Kirt Frye, both of whom were re-elected to the posts.