State Chairman Honored as Business Person of the Decade

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 13 -- The California Motor Car Dealers Association (CMCDA) is pleased to announce that CMCDA Chairman Bert Boeckmann, president of Galpin Ford in North Hills will be honored as the Business Person of the Decade at the San Fernando Valley Business Journal 10th Anniversary Industry Awards ceremony Wednesday, June 14. In addition, CMCDA Board Director Tim Smith, co-owner and president of Bob Smith BMW in Calabasas will also be honored at the awards ceremony for 10 years of Excellence in the Automotive Industry.

"Bert Boeckmann and Tim Smith are extraordinary examples of auto dealers that provide outstanding service to California's automotive industry and their communities," said Peter Welch, CMCDA president. "They have earned the trust and loyalty of their franchisors, employees and customers."

Boeckmann's leadership has brought Galpin Ford to the enviable position of number one in the world in Ford Car and Truck Sales, a ranking he has held for 15 consecutive years. Along with Ford, the Galpin family of franchises is now comprised of Jaguar (number one in sales, USA), Lincoln, Mercury, Saturn, Mazda, Volvo and Aston Martin. The newest Galpin innovation -- Galpin Auto Sports -- opened in April 2006.

Boeckmann has long contributed to his community, as demonstrated by his nearly 17 years as a Los Angeles Police Commissioner, donating hours of volunteer time, business expertise, and philanthropic support.

Smith, a third-generation automobile dealer entered the family business at Bob Smith Volkswagen-Porsche in Hollywood full-time upon graduation from Santa Clara University in 1968.

Smith opened Bob Smith BMW in 1973. The dealership moved into its present location in Calabasas in January of 2005 and added the MINI franchise when the new building opened.

He is a Trustee of the Catholic Education Foundation of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, which provides more than $5,000,000 annually in tuition grants to Catholic primary and secondary schools for students living at or below poverty.

Smith recently rejoined the American International Automobile Dealers Association Board of Directors. He is currently the Chairman of the BMW National Dealer Forum, BMW of North America's national dealer council. Smith is also a board director for the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association.

About CMCDA

The California Motor Car Dealers Association is the country's largest state association of franchised new car and truck dealers with over 1,350 dealer members. For more information, visit CMCDA's new Web site: www.cmcda.org.