AIADA Announces Finalists for 2006 Dealer of the Year Award Presented by Newsweek

Washington DC May 3, 2006; AIADA has announced ten finalists for the prestigious 2006 Dealer of the Year Award, presented by Newsweek. An annual award, the Dealer of the Year program honors the tremendous contributions the nation's international nameplate auto dealers make as outstanding small-business men and women and as citizens dedicated to community service and the betterment of the industry.

AIADA will recognize the ten finalists along with the winner of this year's award during a gala dinner held Monday, May 22, 2006 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the J.W. Marriott in Washington D.C., as part of AIADA's annual Automotive Congress (May 22-23, 2006). The 2006 Dealer of the Year event will feature special guest Chris Matthews of MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews" and NBC's "The Chris Matthews Show," as well as Don Graham, Chairman and CEO of The Washington Post Company.

2006 AIADA “DEALER OF THE YEAR AWARD” FINALISTS:

Cheri Fleming – Owner, Valencia Acura
Valencia, CA

Mike Shaw – President/Owner, Mike Shaw Automotive Group
Denver, CO

Doug Callahan – Owner, Helms Bros.
Bayside, NY

Clarence “Bud” Smail – President, Smail Auto Group
Greensburg, PA

Bruce Bendell – President/CEO, Major Motors
Long Island City, NY

Miles Schnaer – Owner, Crown Automotive Organization
Lawrence, KS

Robert Grappone – President, Grappone Automotive Group
Concord, NH

Ab Lincoln Morehead – President, Morehead Honda
Newburgh, NY

Currie and Nelson Andrews (Father/Son) – President and Owner, Andrews Cadillac and Land Rover Nashville
Brentwood, TN

Ed Corely – President, Corley Automotive Group
Gallup, NM