General Motors Minority Dealers Association (GMMDA), in conjunction with The Reynolds and Reynolds Company, announced Aug. 22 the expansion of the association's recognition program with the Edwin Biagas Sr., Diversity Advocacy Award.

As part of the announcement, Tony March of March/Hodge Holding Company in Hartford, Conn., which operates 23 dealerships in seven states, was named the first recipient of the inaugural award. March was presented with the award during the GM Minority Dealers Summer PEP Conference held Aug. 6-11, 2002.

The new award is named after Edwin Biagas Sr. (1948-2000), who was the fourth president of GMMDA, vice president of the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers, and member of a host of other minority dealer forums and councils prior to his unexpected passing in June 2000. The award will be presented annually to an individual who exemplifies Mr. Biagas' work ethic, emphasizing that diversity in the workplace is imperative to succeeding in business.

A graduate of GM's Minority Dealer Academy, Tony March opened his first dealership - Tony March Buick - in 1985. That same year, with the objective of improving business opportunities for all minority dealers, he and a group of his peers championed the founding of GMMDA. He also served as one of its first presidents.

March continues to support the mission and objectives of the GMMDA as an Honorary Board Member. In his community, he has served as a state chairman for the United Negro College Fund since 1991 and provided the UNCF with a $100,000 scholarship through the Tony March Foundation in 1996. March has received numerous accolades for his tremendous impact on the viability and success of minority auto dealers nationally and for his commitment to unparalleled business standards.

"The long-standing vision of GMMDA and Edwin Biagas has reinforced professionalism and integrity as business and personal standards among automotive retailers," said Scott Schafer, senior vice president of Reynolds. "Our company firmly believes in this and supports their efforts. We are very proud to present Tony March with this inaugural award."

According to Marjorie Staten, Executive Director of GMMDA, "Mr. Biagas had a tremendous impact on the automotive retail industry. What he did to advance minority-owned dealerships - the numerous changes he made to the system over the years - has made our industry what it is today.

"His impact was that significant - it was only natural to create this award in his name and image, and it is most fitting that Tony March is its inaugural recipient," added Staten.

The General Motors Minority Dealers Association was formed in 1987 as an independent dealer association. Membership is voluntary and open to all GM minority dealers and dealer candidates. Today, about one-third of GM's total minority dealer body are members. The organization's mission is to promote, encourage, and protect the viability and profitability of all existing GM minority dealers, and to encourage, through cooperative efforts with General Motors Corporation, the installation of new minority dealers in viable opportunities. For more information on GMMDA, go to www.gmmda.com.

Reynolds and Reynolds (www.reyrey.com) is a provider of integrated solutions that help automotive retailers manage change and improve their profitability. The company's software, service and training solutions include a full range of retail and enterprise management systems; networking and support; e-business applications; Web services; learning and consulting services; customer relationship management (CRM) solutions, document and data management and leasing services. Reynolds serves more than 20,000 customers comprising 90 percent of the automotive retailers and virtually all car companies in North America. It conducts CRM consulting services on five continents.