AIADA’s 2006 Dealer of the Year Award Gala

A father-son team from Brentwood , Tennessee, the Andrews began selling cars in 1979, and are the proud owners of Andrews Cadillac and Land Rover Nashville. Today, their two dealerships employ 140 people. And while the company has extended beyond father and son, several family-focused policies remain in place. Currie and Nelson are very active in local level politics, hosting fundraisers for candidates who share similar goals and objectives. With a record of membership in AIADA, NADA, and OEM Dealer Councils, and experience as President of the Nashville Auto Dealers Association and Chair of the local Better Business Bureau, the pair collectively has gone about their business with the best interests of the industry in mind.
The Andrews have a long record of leadership in the local Brentwood Rotary Club, Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee, Oasis Center for troubled teens, YMCA, Nashville Symphony, American Heart Association, United Way , Ronald McDonald House, and several local schools.   Last year, the dealerships were recognized by the United Way of Williamson County as a “Top 25 Corporate Partner,” and, in 2003, the Andrews’ dealerships were listed on Nashville’s list of “Top 100 Privately Owned Businesses.” 

Bendell is a successful dealer in the ultra-competitive Greater New York metro market. One of the many things which contributed to this success is his investments back into the business. Today, his properties range from 50 years old to brand new; in just the last two years, he has invested over 2.5 million towards refurbishing real estate. Throughout the years, Bruce has continued to pay attention to the ever-changing dynamics of the neighborhoods in which he sells. He has engendered an environment of comfort for customers by hiring a multi-ethnic staff, capable of servicing customers in any number of languages. To ensure the values of the business remain in tact, Major Motors has in place a unique employee training process whereby older employees serve as mentors to recent hires.

Doug Callahan, Owner, Helms Boros. in Bayside, NY

Callahan  is a highly decorated dealer, earning the Mercedes-Benz “Best of the Best” award in 2005, the Volkswagen “Achievement Award for Highest Level in Brand Standard” in 2004, the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association’s “AutoCap Dealer of the Year Customer Relations Award” in 1997, and the “World Traffic Safety Symposium Dealer Award for Customer Safety Initiatives.” In just the last three years, Helms Bros. has invested $27 million into renovating and expanding showrooms and service departments. Today, his dealerships employ over 200 workers. Callahan has been a member of the GNYADA since 1977, and served as President in 1997. Callahan also serves as Chairman of the Mercedes-Benz National Dealer Council and is a Trustee for the Tri-State Mercedes-Benz advertising group. Most recently, Doug serves as Co-Chairperson of the Building Committee for GYNADA’s new 90,000 sq. ft. Center for Automotive Education and Training, which opened its doors this past fall. The facility, located in Whitestone, Queens , is the first of its kind to be built by an automobile association, and will be the host site for individuals training for careers in the automotive industry as well as other dealership and automaker personnel looking to continue their education in the industry.

Corley Automotive Group in Albuquerque , NM employs nearly 200 workers; 44 of those employees have been at the company for 10 years or longer. Every Corley customer receives a one-year maintenance plan at no cost, as well as a tour of the dealership with introductions to key personnel and an invite to a special afternoon service clinic 45 days after the initial purchase. In his local community, Corley’s dealerships have raised money for New Mexico National Guard families Walk for Life Cancer Foundation, and the 2005 Katrina Relief Fund.

Cheri Fleming, Owner of Valencia Acura in Valencia, California

Ms. Fleming is a relatively new dealer, but at Valencia Acura, customer satisfaction is a way of life; CSI scores are well-above the national average for the dealership. What’s more, over 75% of Valencia Acura’s business is repeat and referral. Fleming’s small, personal touches show a determined focus on the overall customer experience. In her short tenure as a dealer, Fleming has won many accolades from Acura and CSI awards from 2001-2005, including: Acura’s Precision Team (2002-2004), Honda’s Council of Excellence (2004-2005), “Best New Car Dealership in Santa Clarita” (2003-2005), “Most Community Minded Owners in Santa Clarita” (2003-2005) and Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year” in the medium-sized category (2001). Her ties to worthy charitable causes are no less extensive. Currently, Cheri is the Vice President At-Large and a Director for the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation Governor-Elect for the Soroptimist International Camino Real Region, member and Past-President of the Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita Valley, Vice President of Special Events and a Director for the Child and Family Center Foundation, a Director for The Roar Foundation Advisory Board, Chair-Elect and a Director for the American Cancer Society Unit Council and Los Angeles Regional Unit Council, Vice President of the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center Advisory Board, Co-Chair of the Boys & Girls Club Auction (2004-2006), and Chair of the Arthritis Foundation Walk. Cheri donations in excess of $2.5 million have contributed positively towards various community organizations, including: United Way, American Red Cross, American Heart Association, The Cowboy Music & Poetry Festival, Master’s College, Hart High, Valencia High, Saugus High, Canyon High and other local schools. In recognition of her work with local area schools, she has been named PTA Partner by the Santa Clarita Valley School District for the past three years. This June, Cheri will make good on a capital investment of $100,000 to help build a cardiac-cath lab and new Emergency Room at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.

Grappone has been in the automotive retail business since working for his family’s dealerships as a high schooler back in 1958. Today, seventy-five of Grappone’s 363 employees have been with the company for ten or more years, with twenty-five of those employees working for the company more than 20 years. In addition, Grappone runs Customer Car Care Clinics to educate new owners on the proper ways to care for their vehicles. He is Co-Chair of the New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association’s (NHADA) very successful political fundraising activities. In his hometown of Bow, NH, Grappone is a member of the Bow Economic Commission, the Bow Water Commission, and serves as a Director for the Business and Industry Association and the New Hampshire Public Radio. Together with his wife Beverly, a registered nurse, the two took the lead role in a statewide capital campaign to build a new wing for the New Hampshire Technical Institute’s nursing program and provide scholarships for students. The Grappones kicked off the campaign with a $1 million donation and have worked with state and local governments and public/private partnerships to raise awareness of the critical needs.

Abraham Lincoln Morehead, President, Morehead Honda in Newburgh, New York

Don’t let the name of our next finalist fool you.  Mr. Morehead is a real car guy at heart. He has been in the auto retail business for over 60 years, and his dealership is a staple in the local community, donating every year to worthy causes including: the local schools, colleges, and hospitals, fire and police departments, and various little league teams.  Over the more than half-century he’s been in business, Morehead has continued to invest in growing his operations.  In 2004, he invested $5 million in a new 25,000 sq. ft. facility. And today, more than twenty family members work in the dealership, including his five sons.

This is the second straight year Mr. Schnaer of Crown  has been named a DOY finalist. Schnaer’s Crown Automotive has been the recipient of myriad manufacture awards over the years including, Toyota ’s prestigious Presidents Award (4 years) and Toyota ’s Excellence Customer Relations Award (5 years). Crown Automotive holds numerous car care clinics targeted towards women drivers and new vehicle owners, as well as a free child seat exchange program several times annually. In his community, Schnaer is well known for establishing the Crown Casting Club, which provides its 200 plus members (children and their families) the opportunity to participate in weekend fishing competitions, club meetings, seminars and other outdoor activities from March through October.  Schnaer’s seven-month-long club activities have grown into an exciting way for families in the area to connect with a past-time they can enjoy throughout their lives.

Mike Shaw, President and Owner of Mike Shaw Automotive Group in Denver, Colorado.

Mr. Shaw is one of the most widely recognized auto dealers in the Latino community. Just this year, he was named a Finalist for the 14th annual Colorado Ethics in Business Award. In 2005, Mike was awarded the Hispanic Business Magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Heavy Industries. Coming from a background of few advantages, Shaw has been adamant upon giving back to the community.  Now a successful businessman, Shaw’s top priority is educating the leaders of tomorrow. Mike sits on the boards of 14 local Colorado nonprofits including, but not limited to: the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, the National Jewish Medical Research Center, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, and the Girls Scouts Mile Hi Council. Shaw joins Miles Schnaer as a repeat finalist from last year.

"Bud" is a second generation auto dealer, whose experience in the industry spans more than 50 years beginning in 1951 with work at his father’s Chevrolet store. Bud is very well-known politically on the local, state and national level. He served as Past President of the Pittsburgh Automobile Trade Association and the Greensburg Auto Dealers Association. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Automotive Association. Last year, Bud and his brother Jim were co-recipients of AIADA’s Impact Award an annual honor bestowed on dealers who exhibit superb grassroots political activism on behalf of the international nameplate auto industry.