As the person managing MADA’s day-to-day operations, I’m genuinely excited to share this update with our members. Being in the office every day means I see firsthand what our dedicated team needs to serve you well – and this move has been a long time coming. On behalf of the MADA staff, I can say with confidence: this is the right decision at the right time.

This has truly been a team effort across leadership, past and present. I’m grateful to the MADA Board of Directors for their guidance and steady leadership throughout the process, and former EVP Terry Burns deserves recognition for spearheading the early real estate search and development work that made this move possible.

On behalf of the entire MADA team – we are thrilled and thankful. When you’re next in the area, we’d love to show you around.

James Fackler, MADA Executive Vice President

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Effective July 3, 2026, the MADA office will be making a much-needed move. You will soon be able to visit us about three miles down the road at: 211 Harrier Drive | Bath, MI 48808.

Why the Move?

For more than 100 years, MADA has adapted alongside the Michigan retail automotive industry. The upcoming move is the latest example of that commitment to doing right by our members.

The current MADA office building was constructed in the late 1960s to support a much larger membership, a larger staff, and a different era of association services. A lot has changed since then. The number of Michigan dealerships has decreased, our staff has become leaner and more cross-trained, and technology has fundamentally transformed how we support you.

The result? We’ve been paying to maintain far more space than we need.

The MADA Board of Directors recognized this opportunity to update and “right size” our facility. This move will not only reduce overhead, but the Harrier Drive office is a much newer, more modern facility better suited to today’s operations. This move will continue MADA’s proud tradition of evolving with the industry.

A Quick Look Back

Originally founded in 1920 as the Michigan Automotive Trade Association and incorporated on May 19, 1921, the association was created to protect and promote the interests and image of franchised automobile dealers. In 1937, the association moved from Detroit to Lansing and became the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association. In the late 1960s, leadership built a stately office not too far from the Michigan Capitol, to match the association’s growing footprint. Now, 60 years later, your board is making the next smart move.

All services, staff, and member support remain exactly the same – just from a better-suited address.

We look forward to welcoming you to the new MADA home. Please update your records accordingly, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

 

• Effective July 3, 2026 the MADA office will be located at: 211 Harrier Drive | Bath, MI 48808
• The current P.O. Box will remain active: P.O. Box 2525  |  East Lansing, MI 48826-2525
• MADA phone numbers are unchanged: Phone: (800) 292-1923 or (517) 351-7800

 

Please click here for a sharable copy of the MADA address change, with a photo of the new building.

 

P.S. The new office is located in prime golfer territory!

MADA will be next door neighbors with Eagle Eye Championship Golf Course (and The Little Hawk Putting Course). Just a bit further down the road is Hawk Hollow, where we often host the annual golf outing. If you are taking a swing on any of the local courses, feel free to stop by the office and say hi! We would be happy to give you a tour of the building.

MADA is pleased to recognize MADA board vice president, Mark Snethkamp Sr., and the entire Snethkamp Automotive family on a milestone that stands alone in our industry: 100 years as a Chrysler dealer.

It began in 1919, when Ed Snethkamp Sr. started selling used cars in the city of Detroit. In 1926, shortly after Chrysler Corp was formed, Ed stepped up to become the very first Chrysler dealer in Detroit.

Throughout four generations, the Snethkamps remain active as business leaders, community partners, and advocates for the retail auto industry. Even during World War II, when showrooms went dark across the country, the business stayed open, converting its space into a machine shop to support the war effort.

Bill Snethkamp Sr. continued what his father had built, becoming the youngest DADA president in history in 1949. Then, in 1979, with Chrysler on the edge of collapse, Bill Sr. joined a delegation of auto dealers who traveled to Washington to make the case to President Carter: without the lifeline of government loan guarantees, not only would Chrysler Corp fail, but with it, thousands of dealerships and hundreds of thousands of jobs.

The third generation brought brothers Bill Snethkamp Jr. and Mark Snethkamp Sr. into the family business. Bill Jr. led MADA as president in 1994, and Mark followed in his father’s footsteps by taking the helm at DADA in 2000, continuing a family tradition of stepping up to lead. Mark Sr. has since spent the past 15 years leading the Southeast Michigan Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Dealers Association, and today brings that same leadership to MADA as our vice president. With Mark Snethkamp Jr. now working at the dealership, the fourth generation is already finding its footing in the family business.

Beyond just business, the Snethkamps have given back generously. Youth sports teams, local nonprofits, and community events have long counted on Snethkamp Automotive’s support. Since 2020, their Food Drive Challenge has raised more than $350,000 and delivered over two million meals to families across the region.

MADA sends our congratulations to the entire Snethkamp family on this historic anniversary. MADA is proud and honored to have you leading alongside us.