Todd Szott
President
Lincoln Phillip
Vice President
Katie Coleman
Treasurer/SecretarySam Klemet
Executive Director - Detroit Auto Show
Sam Klemet is the Executive Director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) and Detroit Auto Show.
A Metro Detroit native and Michigan State University graduate with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, Klemet’s is a former award-winning on-air journalist, with a decade of impactful storytelling in Illinois, Minnesota, and Indiana. Transitioning to leadership, he made a mark as Director of Member Services for the Indiana Broadcasters Association (IBA) and Arland Communications, where he honed his skills in strategic initiatives and member engagement. Klemet’s journey continued with his tenure as President and CEO of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB).
In May 2024, Klemet joined the DADA and Detroit Auto Show as Co-Executive Director alongside Rod Alberts. This transition positioned him to take the reins as sole Executive Director in January 2025, becoming only the sixth person to hold this title in the organization’s storied history. With a deep passion for his hometown and a visionary approach, Klemet is dedicated to propelling the Detroit Auto Show to new heights as a cornerstone of the global automotive industry.
Klemet was the visionary behind the award-winning My Drive. My City. My Show. storytelling campaign that highlights Detroit’s unique, personal relationships with the automotive industry.
Rod Alberts
Executive Director - Detroit Auto Show
Rod Alberts came to the Motor City 30 years ago where he was soon named executive director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) and the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). As head of the DADA, Alberts represents more than 200 domestic and import new car and truck dealers in Southeast Michigan. He is the voice of dealer business interests at the state and federal levels, and he creates and oversees communications, community relations, and educational and charitable activities for the dealer group.
Alberts serves another, equally important, role as executive director of the North American International Auto Show, one of the top five motor shows in the world. He manages all aspects of the global show, including countless worldwide and North American vehicle introductions, more than 5,000 international media from over 60 countries and over three-quarters of a million visitors in overall attendance annually. The show’s Charity Preview event is renowned as one of the largest fundraising events of its kind in the world, raising over $41 million in the last 10 years alone.
Additionally, the auto show brings an estimated $350 million to the local economies of Southeast Michigan each year. A native of Missouri and a graduate of the University of Missouri, Alberts held previous leadership positions with auto dealer associations in Arkansas and California.
Today, Alberts serves on a number of automotive and community boards and committees, and has been recognized by many local organizations for his service to the auto industry and his commitment to the community.