MADA is a trade organization representing the franchised automobile dealers. He was named to the post in November 2015 and is responsible for the organization's affairs which includes representation at the state Capitol, the Mississippi Congressional delegation, the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission, promoting the franchised dealers, and serving as administrator of the MADA Self Insured Fund. 

Prior to serving as President of MADA, Milstead worked on the staff of US Senator Trent Lott, and the Republican National Committee. In 1988 he became Executive Vice President of the Home Builders Association of Mississippi where he grew the organization to become one of the top trade groups in the state. He successfully started two insurance companies, the Builders and Contractors Associations of Mississippi Self Insures Fund serving as the Chief Executive Officer and President of the National Builders and Contractors Insurance Company. 

Milstead earned a degree in business administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has held leadership positions on statewide and national boards, including but not limited to the NAHB Executive Officers Council, Mississippi Society of Association Executives, Business and Industry Political and Education Committee, and Mississippi Association of Self Insures. Milstead has served as an AAU basketball coach for the Mississippi Adidas organization and serves as a mentor to former players. He enjoys attending Broadmoor Baptist Church and serving as a deacon.

In his presentation, Milstead said that: 

“MADA was  formed in 1941and is a collective voice for the dealers with advocacy, exclusive member benefits, and promoting the automobile industry.

MADA is a powerful and important part of Mississippi’s economy.  Approximately 176 new car dealers produce:

• 18,473 jobs created by dealerships

• $430 million payroll

• $51,714 Average Earnings

• $114 Million State and Federal Income Taxes Paid

• $6.7 Billion total sales”

Milstead also discussed the impact of the current shortage of computer chips on the automobile industry. He said that the issue is one of supply and demand and that the average new automobile has over 1000 chips in it. The shortage is exacerbated by the fact that there is only one domestic producer of chips, Intel, and that a major Japanese chip  manufacturer has been shut down.

With respect to the proposed Mississippi tax legislation, he said that MADA will oppose it in the upcoming legislative hearings because the proposed bill to eliminate the state income tax would greatly increase the sales tax on both automobile purchases and automobile service. 

We thank Milstead for his presentation to our club and for his years of service to Mississippi and national organizations. He (Center) is shown in the following photo after his presentation with Club President  Uriel Pineda (left) and Treasurer Matt Monsour (right).

Milstead’s presentation and the entire meeting may be seen at the following video link https://vimeo.com/589029880 .