Irma Elder Awarded for Professional Achievement By Women's Automotive Association International

    DETROIT, May 31 The Women's Automotive Association
International (WAAI) is awarding its fifth annual WAAI Professional
Achievement Award to Irma Elder.  Elder, CEO, Elder Automotive Group will be
recognized for her contribution and success in the automotive industry at the
WAAI Professional Award Dinner on Friday, June 1 at The Ritz Carlton Hotel in
Dearborn, Mich.  Honorary chairperson for the event is Jacques Nasser,
president and CEO, Ford Motor Company.
    Elder took the helm of Troy Ford, now Elder Ford, following the death of
her husband in 1983, making her the first woman to own a Ford dealership in
the greater Detroit area.  Almost twenty years later, the Elder Automotive
Group has grown to eight dealerships: Elder Ford, Jaguar of Troy, which is the
number one Jaguar dealership in the world; Saab of Troy; Aston Martin of Troy;
Signature Ford-Lincoln-Mercury-Jeep of Owosso; Signature Ford of Perry;
Plymouth Mitsubishi; and slated for opening 2001, Jaguar of Tampa Bay,
Florida.
    But Elder is emphatic when she says, "Our success does not belong to me.
It belongs to everyone in our organization who has worked hard to help us grow
as we have."
    Throughout her career, Elder has received numerous business and
professional awards, including a consistent ranking of the Elder Automotive
Group on the top ten of Hispanic Business Magazine's top 500 Hispanic-owned
corporations.  Elder is the only woman-owned business on the top ten and her
involvement in business and community activities has made her one of the
Detroit area's most visible and dynamic female community leaders.
    Elder has received numerous civic awards and is in constant demand as a
speaker, primarily to women's groups.  She feels a great responsibility to the
women of today's society and works tirelessly to convey her positive message
to them.  "While women may have a few more obstacles to overcome," she firmly
believes, "with perseverance, they can reach significant professional goals."
    The Professional Award Dinner is Friday, June 1, 2001 at The Ritz Carlton
Hotel, Dearborn, Mich.  The dinner reception starts at 6:30 p.m. and prices
are $150 for members, $200 for non-members, $300 for benefactors (including
VIP reception at 6 p.m.) and $2,500 for corporate table sponsor reservation
(10 seats).  A limited number of tickets are available.  Call 248-952-6401 to
make reservations or visit WAAI at http://www.womensautomotive.com .  Proceeds will
benefit WAAI Scholarship Fund.
    Past Honorees of this award include:  Ms. Maureen Kempston Darkes,
president and general manager of General Motors of Canada LTD (1997),
Ms. Bobbie Gaunt, president of Ford Motor Company of Canada LTD (1998),
Ms. Jane Warner, president of Kautex Textron North America (1999) and
Ms. Maryann Keller, president, Automotive Services Priceline.com (2000).
    WAAI is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the role of women
in the automotive industry, encouraging entry through scholarships, and the
retention of women leaders.  The association focuses on education in
automotive issues, recognition of women in the automotive industry for their
contributions, and professional growth through networking.

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