San Francisco, Calif. (January 25, 2015) – The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) today honored Oakland, California, auto dealer Ed Fitzpatrick with its 2015 David F. Mungenast Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Ed Fitzpatrick is an exceptional example of the generosity of dealers toward their employees and communities,” said AIADA President Cody Lusk. “His belief that business is a vehicle to help others is a philosophy the entire dealer community should emulate. I can think of no one more deserving of this award.”
Fitzpatrick owns Fitzpatrick Dealership Group—California’s largest African American-owned dealership group. He is also an active member of the auto retail industry, serving in a variety of leadership roles, including chairman of the National Association of Minority Auto Dealers (NAMAD), founding president of the Toyota/Lexus Minority Dealers Association and board member and chairman of the California New Car Dealers Association.
In addition to his work in the auto industry, Fitzpatrick believes in using his business to give back to his community. He is widely recognized for his generosity in supporting local causes, including the East Oakland Youth Development Center, Shelter Cove Community Church, California State University-Stanislaus, Modesto Black Men and Women’s Association, the Modesto Salvation Army, and the Junior Golf Association of Northern California. His contributions have been recognized through numerous awards such as the NAMAD Lifetime Achievement Award, the California New Car Dealers Association Dealer of the Year Award, and Time Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year Award.
The award’s namesake, David F. Mungenast, was known by family members, employees, and those in the industry and community as their founder, mentor, employer, and friend. His legacy as a dealer, husband, father, and member of his community inspired AIADA’s board of directors to accept nominations every year in search of a leader who possesses a similar community spirit and devotion to the international nameplate auto industry. For more information on the award, visitwww.AIADA.org.
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About AIADA:
Established in 1970, AIADA is the only association whose sole purpose is to represent America’s international nameplate automobile franchises that sell and service the following brands: Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Maserati, Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Scion, Smart, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo. These retailers have a positive economic impact both nationally and in the local communities they serve, providing more than 500,000 American jobs. Visit AIADA online at www.aiada.org.
