FENTON, Mo. —  The North American Equipment Dealers Assn. (NAEDA) has announced the promotion of Joe Dykes to the position of vice president of Industry Relations and has named Natalie Higgins vice president of Government Relations and general counsel. 

   

Dykes joined the NAEDA staff in May 2008 serving as Director, Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE) Programs in addition to being the executive vice president of the Mississippi Valley Equipment Assn. (MVEA), a position he held since 1990. Upon dissolution of MVEA in 2011, Dykes was appointed director, Member Services for NAEDA. In this position, he developed programs, products, and services that supported NAEDA’s purpose and provided equipment dealers with valuable business and professional development opportunities. He also served as staff contact to the OPE Council.

In his new role, Dykes will continue to oversee these functions while seeking additional opportunities to leverage existing programs (e.g., the Compensation & Benefits Report and the Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey) and develop new products. In addition, he will serve as liaison to NAEDA’s industry partners and will work to expand services provided to OPE dealers by monitoring activities and coordinating meetings with OPE manufacturers in an effort to foster productive and mutually-beneficial relationships. Joe’s knowledge of the industry and his relationship with members and manufacturers will be a tremendous asset in expanding service to all dealers.

Prior to joining NAEDA, Higgins practiced labor and employment law at a civil litigation firm in St. Louis, representing municipal, non-profit and for-profit employers in all phases of litigation. She is a graduate of St. Louis University School of Law and the University of Missouri, Columbia and is licensed to practice law in both Missouri and Illinois.

In her role as vice president of Government Relations, Higgins will track key legislation affecting equipment dealers and participate in coalitions and industry partnerships. In her role as general counsel, she will be the first point of contact for members through NAEDA’s Legal Resources Hotline. Higgins will bring significant value to NAEDA members by connecting them with the information and/or legal talent needed to effectively run their businesses. In addition, she will assist in NAEDA’s forthcoming initiatives to provide members with top notch regulatory and legislative training programs.