Lester Howard Killebrew, of Abbeville, Ala., has been elected chairman of the board of directors of the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA).

Killebrew is chairman of SunSouth, a John Deere dealership with 15 locations and an area of responsibility that includes Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The dealership’s website is www.sunsouth.com.

“Lester is a very effective leader and is well respected by staff and board alike. We look forward to his leadership of NAEDA this year,” says Paul Kindinger, president/CEO, NAEDA.

In addition to being an effective leader, Kindinger says Killebrew is straight forward and dealer-focused. “These qualities are important for a chairman when working with NAEDA, its affiliates and others in the industry on issues affecting dealers throughout the United States and Canada.”

Killebrew became a member of NAEDA’s board in 2004. He represents the Southern Equipment Dealers Association, one of 18 North American dealer associations affiliated with NAEDA.

Locally, Killebrew is a member of Abbeville United Methodist Church, where he is chairman of the administrative board. He has served on numerous civic and industrial association boards including, the State of Alabama Board of Ag and Industries, Director and past President of the Alabama Agribusiness Council, the Business Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the Auburn University National Alumni Board.

Killebrew graduated from Auburn University in 1968 with a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering and is a member of the Alpha Pi Mu engineering honor society. He has been active in the equipment industry since 1969. His father Lester Herndon Killebrew was in business as a Ferguson dealer from 1953 to 1971.

Killebrew was installed as board chairman March 11, 2010, during NAEDA’s annual meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz. Roger Gjellstad (first vice chairman) and Joe Nash (second vice chairman) also will serve as vice chairs of NAEDA’s board for 2010-11.

Gjellstad represents the North Dakota Implement Dealers Association. Nash represents the SouthEastern Equipment Dealers Association.

The North American Equipment Dealers Association is based in Fenton, Mo. It provides educational, financial, industry relations, legal, and legislative services to 5,000 dealers in the United States and Canada.