General Motors Minority Dealers Association (GMMDA) has announced that Bob Ross Sr., the late owner and operator of Bob Ross Buick GMC in Centerville, Ohio, is the recipient of the association’s annual Trailblazer Award.

The award is sponsored by The Reynolds and Reynolds Co., which also was honored by GMMDA for the company’s continuing support of the Trailblazer Award and the Association.

The GMMDA Trailblazer Award recognizes an individual who dedicates themselves to the support and advancement of minority automotive retailers. Entering its ninth year, the Trailblazer Award was presented posthumously to Ross during the 2002 General Motors Winter Profit Enhancement Participation (PEP) Conference in New Orleans. Ross passed away unexpectedly in July 1997.

“A trailblazer is often defined as a pioneer, someone who blazes a trail to guide others. This is precisely what Bob Ross Sr. was to minorities in automotive retailing,” said Marjorie Staten, executive director of GMMDA. “Mr. Ross accomplished many ‘firsts’ in auto retailing, and this prestigious award is a well-deserved recognition for his successful entrepreneurial journey.”

Bob Ross Buick was founded in 1974 in Richmond, Ind. Ross soon added Opel and International Harvester franchises, becoming the first black car dealer in Indiana and, at the time, the only black International Harvester truck dealer in North America.

In 1979, he sold his Indiana operations and relocated to Ohio, buying a Mercedes-Benz/Buick franchise and becoming the first authorized Mercedes-Benz minority dealer in the country. GMC was added in 1981.

In addition to Ross’ success on the business front, he was also a prominent force in the communities where he lived and worked, especially within the Dayton, Ohio community. His activities in local charities and civic organizations included Toys for Kids programs, chairing Boy Scouts of America fund-raisers, and serving on Wright State University’s President’s Advisory Council. In 1998, The Robert Ross Memorial Fund was established to continue his charitable work in Dayton.

“Bob Ross Sr.’s accomplishments in business and community are a true testament of what it takes to be honored as a GMMDA Trailblazer,” said Scott Schafer, senior vice president of Reynolds. “It is individual efforts and success stories like Mr. Ross’ that make our company proud to sponsor this wonderful award.”

About The General Motors Minority Deales Association

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 effort with General Motors Corporation, the installation of new minority dealers in viable opportunities.

For more information on GMMDA, go to www.gmmda.org.

About Reynolds and Reynolds

Reynolds and Reynolds, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, is a provider of integrated information management solutions to the automotive retailing marketplace.

The company’s services include retail and enterprise management systems, networking and support, e-business applications, Web services, learning and consulting services, customer relationship management solutions, document management and leasing services.

To find out more about the company, its vision, products and services, visit www.reyrey.com.