Three new auto dealers have joined the prestigious ranks of the CADA Laureates. Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) Chairman Al MacPhee announced that Norman Hébert, Jr. of Groupe Park Avenue in Montréal, Que., Christian Chia, of OpenRoad Auto Group, Richmond, B.C. and Trevor Boquist, of Bennett-Dunlop Ford Sales Limited, Regina, SK are the newest members of the Laureate class for 2012, joining the who’s who of Canadian auto dealers.
The Laureate award is considered to be the highest honour a new car and truck dealer can receive over the course of his or her career. “It’s a true industry award,” said MacPhee. “Hundreds of nominations are received from industry stakeholders across Canada – from fellow dealers, industry suppliers and automobile manufacturers. But only three dealers win the Laureate award each year, from among more than 3,200 dealers in Canada. So it’s an exceptionally exclusive and prestigious honour.”
Laureate awards are bestowed each year to one dealer in each of three categories: Ambassadorship, Business Innovation and Retail Operations. The 2012 winners by category are:
- Ambassadorship Laureate: Norman Hébert Jr.;
- Innovator Laureate: Christian Chia;
- Retailer Laureate: Trevor Boquist.
Ambassadorship Laureate: Norman Hébert Jr.
Industrial Alliance – SAL Group is CADA’s partner in the Laureate program. Alnoor Jiwani, Senior Vice-President, Industrial Alliance – SAL Group, offered his comments on each of the winners. “Norman Hébert Jr. is the leader of one of Canada’s largest dealer groups, yet he still finds time to serve both industry and community. As one of the most prominent businessmen in the province of Québec, Norman is frequently called upon by heads of government and industry to lead boards, committees and councils. And he always comes through. In fact, Norman actually commits a specific percentage of his time to work outside his dealer group; that is the essence of Ambassadorship.”
For his part, Hébert said, “It’s great and it feels good. It’s nice when you are recognized by your peers in the industry you have been in for over 30 years. Obviously I was very touched on a personal level, but I was also very touched to be the first Quebecker to have been named a Laureate. Our more than 500 employees will be very proud as well. My father was always very involved in the community and worked very hard in his own way to improve the image of automobile dealers. I applaud CADA for the Laureate Program. I think it’s important to recognize the leaders in our industry the way we do and I am very proud to be part of it.”
Innovator Laureate: Christian Chia
Jiwani had this to say about Innovator Laureate winner Christian Chia: “Christian Chia is taking auto retailing to a higher level. The list of innovations implemented by his OpenRoad Auto Group is extensive and impressive and each one enhances the OpenRoad brand. Whether it’s the in house development of new shop software or a home-grown management development program, Christian is always looking for new and better ways to develop staff, serve customers and build the OpenRoad brand. It’s a winning combination.”
For his part, Chia said: “It’s truly an honour; my organization is going to be ecstatic. There are many, many qualified and deserving dealers to win the Laureate award. I am joining an esteemed group of dealers, but also people who are near and dear to me. A lot of organizations focus on employees and we follow that credo. We look after our people and they look after our customers. We want to change the stigma that remains associated with our industry.”
Retailer Laureate: Trevor Boquist
Jiwani also had praise for Retailer Laureate winner Trevor Boquist: “In his 15 years as Dealer Principal at Bennett-Dunlop Ford, Trevor Boquist has delivered consistently excellent results. Dealership performance in the areas of customer loyalty and employee retention is particularly impressive, but whichever metric you choose to apply the dealership comes out on top. It’s obvious that Trevor is relentless in taking care of the details, knowing that it all adds up to a highly successful dealership.”
In an interview, Boquist said: “I was excited, but mostly for our team; they have worked hard over the past 8-10 years to build a dealership focused on one common goal — getting our customers looked after and getting them everything they need without having to go elsewhere. It’s a lot of investment in people, in looking at your business not by department, but by what’s good for the business as a whole. The retail auto business is a great place to work and prosper. I want people to see our industry as a place to have careers — not just start their careers.”
For more information visit: www.cadalaureate.ca/
