WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) today honored Tulsa auto dealer Jim Norton with its Legislative Action Network (L.A.N.) Grassroots Award at the association’s 6th Annual International Auto Industry Summit in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes Norton’s advocacy efforts in reaching out to and engaging his members of Congress and other policy makers on issues important to the international nameplate dealer community.
“Jim has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to opening a dialogue in Washington on the issues that matter most to AIADA’s dealer members,” said AIADA President Cody Lusk. “I can think of no one more deserving of this year’s Grassroots Award.”
Norton’s work in the auto industry began at the age of 14 in the parts department of his father’s dealership. He went on to take over the family business in 1976. Today, he is the owner and president of Jim Norton Toyota and Jim Norton Toyota of Lawton. Together, both dealerships have been the recipient of the Toyota President’s Award 12 times. He has served on the Isuzu and Toyota Regional and National Dealer Councils and is the past president of the Oklahoma Auto Dealers Association. Norton also served on the AIADA board of directors and is the immediate past chairman of the Automotive Free International Trade Political Action Committee (AFIT-PAC).
Norton is active in the Tulsa community. He is a past member of the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce and is a current board member of the Tulsa Area United Way, as well as the advisory council for Asbury United Methodist Church. A graduate of Southern Methodist University, Norton and his wife, Ronda, have three children and eight grandchildren.
AIADA’s Grassroots Advocacy Award is presented by its grassroots initiative, the Legislative Action Network, to recognize members who have worked to improve awareness in Washington, D.C., of issues impacting America’s international automobile franchises. AIADA seeks to connect auto dealers with the legislative process, enabling them to be heard on concerns that impact their businesses. For more on the award, visit www.AIADA.org.
About AIADA:
Established in 1970, AIADA is and continues to be 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, Saab, Scion, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, 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.