NCM Associates on Monday announced the hiring of three new associates to serve its retail automotive clientele.

Each joins the company as executive conference moderator for the 20 Groups Division under Kevin Cunningham, the company said, to meet increasing demand for NCM’s 20 Group services.

Steven Kain is a former car dealer and general manager with 32 years of experience in a multigenerational family dealership. His variable operations expertise was honed as a sales manager for Kain Nissan and Kain Family Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, where he also managed the pre-owned operation before assuming total operational responsibility for bottom-line performance as the general manager and dealership principal.

Chris Kahrs brings more than 17 years of experience to NCM, with expertise in multi-facility management and dealer operations. He joined the automotive industry in 1997 at Ewald Ford Lincoln Mercury in Wisconsin, working his way from sales associate to finance manager and new car manager at Ewald Automotive Group.

In 2002, Kahrs joined the John Amato Automotive Group as Mazda new car manager and later became vice president of variable operations for John Amato’s three Milwaukee locations. He has also worked as a general sales manager and general manager for the Mossy Automotive Group in California.

George Gowen has more than 30 years’ experience in the retail automotive industry, as a third generation dealer. He has worked in every department, including management positions in sales, BDC and training, and as director of fixed operations.

Gowen was the general manager for a $100 million dealership, and became the owner/dealer principal of a multiple-franchise operation by age 33. He was awarded Chrysler’s Five Star Award in his first year in business and also served on the board of directors of Carolina Chevy Dealers Advertising Association.

“We are very pleased to welcome these three highly competent retail experts to serve our valued NCM 20 Group members,” said Paul Faletti Jr., NCM president and chief executive officer.

“As an employee-owned organization, NCM is committed to providing the highest levels of service and delivering on our promise to be the leading industry resource on dealership operations improvement. 

“Steve, Chris and George all bring valuable expertise to their new positions,” Faletti said, “and I am confident not only in their collective abilities to assist our clients in their dealership improvement initiatives, but in helping NCM achieve its strategic initiatives as well.”