FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

F&I Magazine to Announce F&I Dealer of the Year Award at NADA Convention

by Staff
December 15, 2003
F&I Magazine to Announce F&I Dealer of the Year Award at NADA Convention

Mr. and Mrs. David Ferraez proudly accept last year's F&I Dealer of the Year Award at F&I Magazine's press conference at the 2003 NADA Convention in San Francisco.

2 min to read


F&I Management and Technology Magazine's fourth annual F&I Dealer of the Year award will be presented to the winning dealership at the National Automobile Dealers Association’s annual convention in Las Vegas on Monday, Feb. 2.

The presentation will be made at a 12 noon press conference in Room N233 of the Las Vegas Convention Center, which hosts the NADA Convention.

Ad Loading...


According to CEO Edward J. Bobit, the purpose of the F&I Dealer of the Year Award is to recognize dealer principals who practice professionalism in the development of an extraordinary F&I department. According to Bobit, dealerships with winning characteristics have successful F&I training programs; by-the-book identification and selling techniques; and respect for their customers' legal and ethical rights.


"Winning F&I departments show high numbers for both customer satisfaction and for per-unit F&I profits," Bobit said.


The first year’s award went to David Conant, dealer principal of Norm Reeves Honda in Cerritos, Calif. Ron Tonkin Chevrolet of Portland, Ore., took home the second annual award. Ron, Ed and Brad Tonkin accepted the second annual award on behalf of Tonkin Family of Dealerships. The third annual award was won by David Ferraez, whose Ferraez Auto Group placed an incredible four dealerships in last year's F&I Top 100: #3 Green Brook Pontiac-Buick-GMC, Green Brook, N.J; #11 Northshore Buick-Pontiac-GMC, Malden, Mass.; #16 Woburn Buick-Pontiac-GMC, Woburn, Mass.; and #20 Danvers Chevrolet-Buick-Pontiac, Danvers, Mass.


Marks of a Winner


“Winning dealerships demonstrate broad success in all phases of F&I, including successful training programs; by-the-book identification and selling techniques; respect for customers' legal and ethical rights; and supporting a profitable F&I department which maintains a high CSI level,” said Publisher David Gesualdo of F&I Management and Technology Magazine.

Ad Loading...


“Our past winners have shown the kind of commitment and dedication to excellence that we look to recognize each year in awarding F&I Dealer of the Year,” said Steve Elliott, executive editor of F&I Management and Technology. "We're very much looking forward to recognizing another deserving dealership this year."


About F&I Management and Technology Magazine


F&I Management and Technology reaches about 17,500 auto dealer principals and their F&I departments. It was founded in 1998 by Edward J. Bobit, and is one of 20 trade magazines produced by Bobit Publishing Co., based in Torrance, Calif.


For more information on F&I Management and Technology Magazine, visit www.fandimag.com. For advertising opportunities, call David Gesualdo at (310) 533-2569 or e-mail david.gesualdo@bobit.com. For editorial information or press releases, e-mail steve.elliott@bobit.com or fax (310) 533-2503.


For more information on Bobit Publishing, visit www.bobit.com or call (310) 533-2400.


Topics:F&I

More F&I

Cover image for a BOK Financial report titled “Timing the market: How avoiding volatility entirely can hurt long-term reinsurance program performance.” The image shows several road construction barricades with flashing amber warning lights lined up in a nighttime work zone. Beneath the image, red text explains that avoiding volatility can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long-term surplus growth. The BOK Financial logo appears at the bottom right.
SponsoredMay 8, 2026

Timing the Market Can Hurt Long-Term Program Performance

For dealer-owned reinsurance entities, avoiding volatility entirely can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long term surplus growth. Missing just a handful of strong market days can materially impact cumulative returns—an important reminder for long horizon trust and investment strategies.

Read More →
Ryan Ruff, The 90/10 Rule, Automotive Training Academy, Sales Series
F&IMay 6, 2026

The 90/10 Rule

In this video, Ryan Ruff explains the rule that elite sales professionals use to turn ordinary conversations into unforgettable customer experiences.

Read More →
Photo of essential oil diffuser on desk next to laptop
F&IMay 4, 2026

Your Office Is Talking

What’s the atmosphere saying about you to your customers? You can make minor adjustments and additions that transform your space into one that creates trust with the people on the other side of the desk.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
"Effective training ensures the customer’s needs remain at the heart of everything we do. When that is the focus, both sales and profits naturally improve." by Rick McCormick with F&I and Showroom logo and picture of Rick McCormick
F&IMay 1, 2026

F&I Training Fundamentals

How can auto dealerships help F&I managers fulfill their vital role in the most effective ways? Industry expert Rick McCormick shares his insights on the best ways to train these professionals and help them maintain good habits.

Read More →
Photo of car tire and the tread mark it left in snow
F&Iby Hannah MitchellApril 29, 2026

Not Just Any Tire Will Do

More consumers and businesses are opting for all-season options for various reasons as safety, sustainability and convenience push practical change.

Read More →
Photo of robot holding a laptop
F&Iby Hannah MitchellApril 27, 2026

How AI Will Drive the Next Wave of Innovation in Finance & Insurance

It’s time to take the next digital step to free F&I managers to handle the most challenging aspects of customer meetings.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of notepad and pen next to computer keyboard on desktop
F&IApril 13, 2026

Control in Sales Is an Illusion

Some of it should be given to the customer, but that doesn’t mean the F&I office relinquishes the process. In fact, a different approach both builds trust and boosts sales.

Read More →
Photo of external keyboard on office deak next to window
F&IApril 7, 2026

The Limited Warranty Game

Bringing it in-house benefits the dealership and its customers.

Read More →
Woman in casual clothing sitting at a desk
F&Iby Rick McCormickMarch 31, 2026

Curb The Confusion

Talk to F&I customers like you’d talk to a friend, without industry lingo or sales-like questions, and use hard proof to show, not tell, them about a need.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of man's hand on laptop computer keyboard with blank screen
F&IMarch 16, 2026

There Is Always one More Product

Helping F&I customers understand complementary offerings is likely to lead to more sales, based on the success of a high-performing practitioner of the philosophy.

Read More →