Greater Memphis Auto Dealers Association Celebrates 100 Years
of Serving the Memphis Community
Organization Announces 2016 Celebration Campaign
MEMPHIS, TN (Jan. 26, 2016) – Founded in 1916, the Greater Memphis Auto Dealers Association (GMADA) is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a year-long celebration with many special events. GMADA, which is comprised of 50 dealerships in the greater Memphis area, has a rich history of economic growth and community partnership.
HISTORY OF GMADA
GMADA is not only the largest dealer association in the state of Tennessee, but it is also the oldest. The organization was founded 22 years before the Tennessee Automobile Dealer Association (1938) and a year before the National Automobile Dealer Association (1917).
The original founders of GMADA, Owen Lilly, Thomas H Smart, G.F. Schlecht, F.N. Fisher, W.E. Woolen, Robert H. Stickley, created the association with the purpose of “advancing the public interest of the City of Memphis, County of Shelby, and State of Tennessee”.
GMADA TODAY
GMADA and the Memphis auto industry has continued to thrive and grow over the past 100 years. “We are proud to continue the framework our original members set for us. It’s an honor to be able to help the greater Memphis area prosper,” current GMADA President Kent Ritchey said. As of today, the GMADA employs over 3,000 people and the participating dealerships sell over $2.7 Billion in goods and services. “We are extremely proud that car and truck sales are the largest single source of sales tax revenue to the state of Tennessee,” Ritchey added.
GMADA encompasses dealerships in West Memphis, Shelby County and DeSoto County, MS.
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
During the past 100 years, GMADA has provided more than just an economic impact in the Memphis area. Service to the community has been a priority from the beginning. GMADA presented $15,000 to Danny Thomas at the first St. Jude/Oak Hall Marathon, contributed $30,000 to Memphis City Schools for children’s books to be used in the classroom, and gave $16,000 to Ronald McDonald House.
Other charities GMADA has supported include MIFA, Shane Battier’s Take Charge Foundation and the American Cancer Society, to name just a few of the many contributions.
Beyond monetary donations, GMADA has also purchased vans for handicapped individuals in need and has provided vans to the Sheriff’s department.
To celebrate the centennial anniversary, GMADA will continue its tradition of community service by giving back to 12 local charities throughout the year, starting with the Church Health Center. GMADA will make the check presentation on Friday, January 29th at 9:30 AM at Chuck Hutton Chevrolet at 2471 Mt Moriah Rd, Memphis, TN 38115. The check presentation will be made by Henry Hutton of Chuck Hutton Chevrolet, Kenny Myers of AutoNation Ford and Al Gossett of Gossett Motor Cars.
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