A Legacy of Leadership and Dedication

Ed Hendricks announces retirement from the ARA board after 25 years of service.

 

 Ken Hendricks, ARA Senior Industry Relations Advisor, and proud son of Ed Hendricks

 

The Automotive Retailers Association (ARA) has been a pivotal institution in shaping the landscape of the automotive industry in British Columbia. Its journey, spanning nearly 75 years, has been guided by some of the industry’s most impactful leaders. Founders Lloyd Kinneard, Colin Virtue, and Al Higgins laid the groundwork for later industry pioneers like Don Dean, Neil James, Randy Sorley, and others to carry on their vision. Yet, perhaps no individual has left a legacy as enduring as that of my father, Ed Hendricks. 

The ARA has seen its share of triumphs and turmoil over the years. Through lean times and prosperous eras, it has been a bastion of support for its members. The 1980s were particularly tough, a decade when the association teetered on the edge of collapse. Yet, a group of steadfast business owners kept faith in the ARA’s vision, and by the early 1990s, the association began its recovery. David Bruce, a former ARA president, returned as executive director to help stabilize operations. Under his leadership, the ARA began to find its footing once again. 

In 1993, Ed Hendricks stepped into the picture, brought on board by Bruce to head the new Used Car Division for the ARA. This wasn’t the first time the ARA had ventured into supporting auto dealers. As far back as 1978, a group of independent used car dealers had gathered to discuss proposed regulations by the Ministry of Consumer and Corporate Affairs. The meeting sparked the creation of a Used Car and Truck Dealers Division in 1980. Although this division only lasted until 1987, the seeds for a future independent dealer network were planted. 

Ed was a natural fit to lead this new initiative. Born and raised in Oklahoma, Ed served as a naval flight engineer during the Vietnam War before moving to Canada in 1968. With no sales experience, Ed dove headfirst into the auto industry and became a sales manager and award-winning salesman within three years. After serving as general manager at West Coast Ford for 17 years, he launched his own dealership—Nelson Sales in Surrey. Though new to the ARA, Ed recognized the need for industry organization and better representation in matters involving government ministries and ICBC. 

Once with the ARA, Ed’s task was clear: secure the support of at least fifty used car dealers to form the association’s new Independent Auto Dealers (IAD) division. Within weeks, Ed delivered, and the IAD took off, rapidly growing to 135 members by 1996. By 1998, it had reached its peak with 150 members. 

In 1994, Ed became the ARA’s president—a role he held until 1998. Alongside Executive Director Bob Clarke, they ushered in a period of unprecedented growth and innovation for the ARA. The association experienced a renaissance in the 1990s, a time when the automotive world was rapidly evolving. Operating a used car lot in those days was different from today. Regulatory oversight was scattered across various legislative acts, and many industry players were unaware of—or indifferent to—consumer protection laws. 

Ed and the IAD took up the charge. By 1996, they were pushing for the creation of an Automotive Licensing Authority (ALA), a body that would oversee the regulation of the industry and hold dealers to higher standards. In 1997, Ed himself developed a training course on consumer legislation, which he taught across the province. This course eventually became the foundation for the province’s mandatory salesperson licensing course—a requirement still in place today, with only minor updates since its inception. 

The IAD worked tirelessly to address issues like curbing (unlicensed sales), unfair sales taxes, and ICBC’s policies, setting the stage for improvements that in some cases would take another two decades to fully materialize. In 2009, the IAD was rebranded as the Licensed Motor Dealers (LMD) Division, launching a public-facing campaign to distinguish its members from curbers. 

As Ed’s tenure progressed, so did the association’s fortunes. Membership surged past the 1,000 mark in 1994, an achievement not seen since the ARA’s earliest days. Together with Bob Clarke, Ed embarked on the “President’s Tour” of 1996, visiting members across the province and setting the ambitious goal of reaching 2,000 members by the year 2,000. While growth in membership was significant, Ed and Bob’s impact went far beyond numbers. 

One of their first initiatives was modernizing the ARA’s infrastructure. At the time, the association was leasing cramped office space on Canada Way in Burnaby with no dedicated boardroom and steep rent. In 1995, the ARA purchased its current building in south Burnaby, marking a new era of stability. Ed and Bob also revamped the association’s governance structure, introducing division-specific representation on the ARA board. This change gave every division a clear voice and phased out the geographically-based zone system, which had previously fragmented board meetings. 

The pair also spearheaded advancements in communication, ensuring that the ARA kept pace with the digital age. They invested in modern computer equipment and launched the ARA’s first website, which included a member-only section, and they launched a new publication as well, ARA News—still a crucial tool for communication today. 

In 2011, Ed returned to serve as the ARA’s chairman, a role he held until 2015. During this time, he revitalized the President’s Tour alongside ARA President Ken McCormack, introducing the new leadership to the wider membership. Even after stepping down, Ed continued to serve on the ARA board as an ambassador and past chairman. In 2016, he was awarded the prestigious ARA Lifetime Achievement Award—an honor reserved for those whose dedication to the industry is unparalleled. 

Few truly grasp the sacrifices required to voluntarily lead an organization like the ARA. It demands time, energy, and an unwavering commitment to improving the industry. My father may not have known the path ahead when he was first asked to join the ARA, but the legacy he leaves behind is undeniable. 

As I reflect on my 15 years at the ARA, serving alongside my father has been a tremendous privilege. The ARA stands stronger today because of his tireless efforts, and while his retirement marks the end of an era, his influence will continue to shape the industry for years to come.