Brad Brotherton 2019-2020 WSADA President
Brad Brotherton, Brotherton Cadillac Buick GMC, Renton, was named 2019/2020 President of the Washington State Auto Dealers Association (WSADA) at the organization’s annual convention in April.
Brad began his career in 1995 at Frederick Cadillac in Seattle, Washington, which was owned by his father, Biff, who had acquired several dealerships in Walla Walla, and Seattle. His roots in the car industry go back over 100 years through his father’s grandfather, who started a truck company in 1916 in Walla Walla. Cadillac moved to Renton in 2001, with Buick GMC added later.
Brad said, “Going through our family history, I cannot identify a time when community didn’t come first.” The Brotherton family business has been community-focused for as long as it’s existed. “My grandfather’s employee handbook included information about giving to churches and schools, and I witnessed it firsthand working for my father and seeing his passion for Washington State University, as well as the arts.”
Brad, along with his wife Amy, and sons Duke, 17 and Chaz, 14 continue the Brotherton family legacy of giving; supporting the Bennett Foundation to combat childhood obesity, FEAT of Washington- Ben’s Fund- that offers grants to families for autism spectrum disorder treatments, Jacob Green Charity Golf Classic to support cancer research at the Hutch, Food Lifeline that provides meals to end hunger in western Washington, Toys for Tots, and Miss Washington Scholarship Organization, to name a few. Brotherton also has served on the board of the Moyer Foundation and as a coach for Mercer Island youth sports.
Brotherton Cadillac is also a big supporter of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. “In 2008, my father was diagnosed with cancer and we transitioned the bulk of our efforts to the “Hutch”, and hold an event every August (this is the 20th year) called “Celebrity Steak Out”, raising as much as $300,000, with a total of over $1.5 million for breakthrough cancer research at the Hutch.“
In memory of his father, the Brotherton family established a scholarship for a student athlete at Washington State University and the William F. “Biff” Brotherton Cougar Spirit Award, which honors individuals who provide philanthropic support and volunteer for the school’s athletic program.
Brad is just as focused on the community he created within the dealership. “Early in my career I learned that the greatest asset of any business are the employees,” said Brad. “At Brotherton we take great pride in this thread of our business. We feel a deep sense of connection with the success we have had and the great people who continue to thrive in our organization or decide to further their education, have a family, or retire.”
In addition to his philanthropy, Brad is active in WSADA, serving on numerous committees and is a passionate advocate for WSADA’s Grassroots Program, which connects dealers and dealership employees with their state-elected officials. “I will be where the Association needs me most. WSADA is a great way to get involved and make a difference for our industry and our customers, and it’s an honor to serve as President.”
Founded in 1920, the Association’s 294 dealer members serve 70 cities and towns across Washington and are responsible for annual sales volume totaling $18.1 billion. Together, they employ over 22,000 people with a combined payroll of more than $1.4 billion. An average dealership creates 74 local jobs, each paying on average over $59,000 per year plus benefits. Their dealership sales total 16.4% of the state’s retail sales, generating hundreds of millions of dollars of tax revenue for state and local governments through sales, corporate, and payroll tax revenue.