The Florida Automobile Dealers Association celebrated eight new inductees into the FADA Hall of Fame, highlighting community service and industry leadership.
Florida’s automotive industry took a moment last week to celebrate more than business success, honoring eight leaders as the 2026 class of the Florida Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) Hall of Fame.
The ceremony drew industry figures. elected officials. and distinguished guests as the Association continued its tradition of recognizing the people shaping Florida’s dealer community.. The evening spotlighted eight dealer leaders whose work. vision. and commitment have made a lasting impression not only within the automotive sector. but also across communities throughout the state.
Among the 2026 inductees were Tom Bush Jr.. Frank DeLuca. Lawrence Dimmitt III. William Lehman. Scott Fink. Roger and Judi Holler. Irving Matthews. and Michael Maroone.. Their selection places them within a growing line of honorees whose influence has helped form Florida’s economic and civic landscape.
FADA created the Hall of Fame in 2023 with a clear purpose: to recognize contributions that reach beyond the showroom floor.. While professional achievement and leadership in the industry remain central to the honor. the Hall of Fame also highlights philanthropy. civic involvement. mentorship. and sustained efforts to strengthen the communities dealers serve.
That broader lens reflects how the event frames the role of dealers in Florida. In recent years, it has evolved into one of the industry’s most prominent honors in the state, spotlighting careers that combine integrity, generosity, and long-term leadership.
The 2026 class now joins 25 previous honorees recognized in 2023 and 2024.. The inaugural 2023 class included Anthony Abraham, Claude Nolan, Dwayne Hawkins, J.. Saxton Lloyd, Michael Meagher, Rick Case, Sam Galloway Jr., Robert McElheny, W.. Theo Proctor Sr., Walter McRae Sr., George Nahas, Glenn Ritchey, James Ferman Jr., and Mario Murgado.
The 2024 class of inductees featured Norman Braman, Hal Lynch Jr., Randy Parks, Vivian Reeves, Ted Serbousek, Preston Hood, Rudy Kraft, Ed Morse, Phil Smith and George Williamson.
Florida’s dealers are often described through the scale of their economic footprint. and the Association points to the industry’s broad impact statewide.. The automotive industry contributes more than $100 billion annually to Florida’s economy and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the state.. Yet the Hall of Fame also underscores that measuring influence only through numbers misses a key part of the story.
Across Florida, dealers are portrayed not just as business leaders, but as champions of education, health care, youth programs, charitable efforts, and civic engagement. That emphasis on service is positioned as a defining feature of the dealer community’s culture and remains tied to FADA’s mission.
With the 2026 inductees formally recognized, the event also served as a celebration of legacy—acknowledging the leaders whose dedication helped build one of the nation’s strongest automotive industries and whose examples are intended to inspire future generations of Florida dealers.
Florida car dealers FADA Hall of Fame automotive industry Florida dealer leadership community service Tom Bush Jr. Frank DeLuca
never heard of half these people lol
wait so this hall of fame only started in 2023 and theyre already on the 2026 class?? that seems way too fast like how is that even prestigious if its only been around 3 years that dont make sense to me
I mean car dealers getting awards is kinda funny to me because every single one ive dealt with has tried to rip me off on the financing so idk what community service they doing maybe community service of overcharging people on their monthly payments lol but seriously my cousin works at a dealership in Tampa and he says the whole industry is just smoke and mirrors behind the scenes so these awards are probably just a big dinner where they pat each other on the back
I actually think Roger and Judi Holler getting in together is really sweet, couples dont usually get recognized together like that and its nice to see both names up there. My husband and I ran a small business together for 22 years and nobody ever gave us an award but we kept our employees paid through covid and everything so honestly I get a little emotional when I see families being honored together because it really is a team effort and people forget that. Also I think William Lehman is related to the congressman? I might be wrong but the name sounds really familiar from somewhere I cant remember maybe the news a while back or something like that.