Modesto Auto Dealer Ed Fitzpatrick Elected as 2005 CMCDA Chairman

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 16, 2005 -- The California Motor Car Dealers Association (CMCDA) elected Ed Fitzpatrick as its 2005 Chairman. Fitzpatrick is president of Valley Lexus, Valley Infiniti and Valley BMW based in Modesto and Coliseum Lexus of Oakland. In addition, CMCDA installed six new Directors at the recent Board of Directors meeting in Sacramento.

Fitzpatrick, one of the most successful African American California new car dealers, began his auto career as a management trainee for the Dodge Division of Chrysler Corporation. After eleven years at Chrysler in various management positions, Fitzpatrick moved to Toyota Motor Sales as Dealer Placement Administrator. In 1982, Fitzpatrick was hired by Mitsubishi Motors Sales as their National Dealer Development Manager. After being responsible for dealer performance for over 17 years, Fitzpatrick bought into a Chrysler Plymouth dealership in Renton, WA. In 1997, Lexus became a part of Fitzpatrick's holdings. The Lexus dealership operates as Valley Lexus in Modesto. In July 2000 Valley BMW went into operation in Modesto. Coliseum Lexus went into operation November 1, 2002.

"I look forward to serving as CMCDA's chairman and working with the more than 1,400 member dealers to achieve the goals laid out by our strategic plan," said Fitzpatrick. "In addition, there are a lot of important issues affecting our industry in 2005. Such issues include the Car Buyers Bill of Rights and establishing industry standards and best practices to name a few."

CMCDA's six newly installed Directors include: John Boulianne, Moreno Valley Ford Pontiac, Buick GMC; Loren Campbel, Bob Baker Chevrolet Subaru - El Cajon; Jim Crowley, North County Ford; Raymond Enos, Downtown Ford Sales; Dennis Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick Chevrolet Buick; Chuck Haddad; Haddad Dodge Kia.

CMCDA's existing Officers include: Henry Hansel, Immediate Past Chairman, Hansel Auto Group; Peter Welch, President, CMCDA; Bert Boeckmann, Vice Chairman, Galpin Ford; and Peter Hoffman, Secretary/Treasurer, Sierra Auto Cars, Inc.

CMCDA's Board of Directors meets four times a year to propose and recommend changes that are beneficial to the interest and welfare of the Association, its members and the consuming public.

About CMCDA

The California Motor Car Dealers Association (CMCDA), based in Sacramento, CA., is a statewide trade association representing the interests of more than 1,400 franchised new car dealer members.