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At Poughkeepsie Chevrolet Cadillac, we believe in giving back to our community. |
| | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Marjorie Staten (248) 552-9040 News from the General Motors Minority Dealers Association "Proud to Serve Every Dealer, Every Day!" | | | RAYMOND WILKINSON III APPEARS ON BE 100 AUTO DEALER LIST FOR 11TH YEAR  SOUTHFIELD, MICH. - Wed, June 11, 2008 - GMMDA member Ray Wilkinson III, president of Poughkeepsie Chevrolet Cadillac in Poughkeepsie, NY has earned the number 90 spot on Black Enterprise magazine's top 100 list for year 2007. Black Enterprise recognizes the top 100 African-Americans in the automotive industry and business sectors annually in its June edition. "It is an honor to make the Black Enterprise 100 list for the 11th time and I'd like to thank the Hudson Valley community for making it possible," said Wilkinson. A second generation dealer, Wilkinson is proud of his family's strong history in the automotive industry. His father, Ray Wilkinson, Jr., and uncle, Barney Wilkinson, sold cars in the early 1950s. Wilkinson attended the Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia and subsequently worked at General Motors Corporation for four years as District Sales and District Service Manager. He graduated from the General Motors Dealer Development Academy in 1995 and acquired his Poughkeepsie dealership in 1997. This year, Wilkinson will celebrate his 11th anniversary as a GM dealer. Wilkinson has appeared on the Black Enterprise 100s Auto Dealer list since 1997. He was ranked as number 18 in The Network Journal's list of New York Metro Area's Top Black Companies in 2006; and, was a recipient of the Poughkeepsie Journal's Diversity in the Workplace Award in 2004. "Ray has done an outstanding job during his 11 tenure as a dealer," said GMMDA Executive Director Marjorie Staten. "To be a part of this elite list each year since 1997 is commendable. It is very rewarding to witness the success of our 2nd generation minority dealers. We applaud Ray on this noble achievement." Wilkinson has been a member of the GMMDA since 2000. He embraces his community by serving on the board of directors of the following organizations - Dutchess Regional Chamber of Commerce; United Way of Dutchess County, American Heart Association, Rehab Programs Inc., Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation, Family Partnership of Dutchess County, and County Executive Workforce Development. The GMMDA is a non-profit 501(c)(6) organization that represents the interest of over two hundred minority-owned General Motors dealerships across the country. The mission of the GMMDA is to promote, protect and encourage the viability and profitability of all existing General Motors dealers, and to encourage, through cooperative efforts with General Motors, the installation of new minority dealers in viable and profitable opportunities. In August 2007, the GMMDA celebrated 20 years of serving the GM minority dealer community. To read more about the GMMDA log on to www.gmmda.org. | | | | |
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SECOND GENERATION GM DEALER RAYMOND WILKINSON EARNS SPOT ON BE 100s LIST
SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN - Thurs., June 14, 2007, GMMDA member Ray Wilkinson III, president of Poughkeepsie Chevrolet Cadillac in Poughkeepsie, NY has earned the number 78 spot on Black Enterprise magazine's top 100 list for year 2006. Black Enterprise recognizes the top 100 African-Americans in the automotive industry and business sectors annually in its June edition.
"It is an honor to be listed among this prestigious group of automotive dealers. The BE list represents the top performing businessmen and women who have allowed hard work, dedication and commitment to guide their path of success. I am very fortunate to be a part of this group of successful entrepreneurs," said Wilkinson.
Poughkeepsie Chevrolet Cadillac has appeared on the Black Enterprise 100s list every year since 1997. The dealership was also ranked as number 18 in The Network Journal magazine list of New York Metro Area Top Black Companies in 2006; and was a recipient of the Poughkeepsie Journal Diversity in the Workplace Award in 2004.
Wilkinson is proud of his family's strong history in the automotive industry. "I was born into it. My father and uncle sold cars in the early 1950s," says Wilkinson. Wilkinson' s father, Ray Wilkinson, Jr., who recently retired from the automotive industry, owned a GM Buick-Cadillac dealership in Racine, WI.
Wilkinson attended the Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia and then worked at General Motors for a few years. He studied at the General Motors Dealer Development Academy and was offered the opportunity to acquire the Poughkeepsie dealership shortly after his graduation. This year, Wilkinson will celebrate his 10th year anniversary as a GM dealer.
"We are very proud of Ray's accomplishment," said GMMDA Executive Director Marjorie Staten. "He is one of the few second generation dealers in the GM minority dealer network to reach 10 consecutive years in the business. Ray is an excellent example of what you can achieve with professionalism, integrity and commitment."
Wilkinson embraces his community and is a past board member of the Poughkeepsie Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Dutchess County, American Heart Association, Rehab Programs Inc., Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation, Family Partnership of Dutchess County, and County Executive Workforce Development.
The GMMDA is a non-profit organization that represents the interest of over two-hundred minority owned General Motors dealerships across the country. The mission of the GMMDA is to promote, protect and encourage the viability and profitability of its members, and to encourage, through cooperative efforts with General Motors, the installation of new minority dealers in viable and profitable opportunities. In August, the GMMDA will celebrate 20 years of serving the GM minority dealer community.
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POUGHKEEPSIE CHAMBER FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL ATHENA AWARD IN DUTCHESS COUNTY
Poughkeepsie, NY (June 8, 2006) The Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Poughkeepsie Chevrolet/Cadillac and HSBC Bank today introduced the first ATHENA Award program in Dutchess County at a news conference held at the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill. Nominations are being sought for the award, which will be presented to an individual who lives, works or volunteers in Dutchess County and who has achieved excellence in her/his business or profession, served the community in a meaningful way and assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills.
The ATHENA Award was first presented in 1982 in Lansing, Michigan and has grown to include presentations to more than 5,000 individuals in hundreds of cities in the United States as well as in Canada, China, Russia and the United Kingdom. The award takes the form of a hand-cast bronze sculpture symbolizing the strength, courage and wisdom of the recipient. Nominations will be accepted through July 31, and the recipient presented with her/his ATHENA Award at a special Brunch on December 3 at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie.
“The ATHENA Foundation’s philosophy of incorporating the talent and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, communities and government is one that the Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of Commerce and all its members share,” said Charlie North, PACC President. “By honoring exceptional leaders, we hope to encourage others to excel. We intend to make this an annual program, and one that will in time benefit the scholarship programs of our Chamber Foundation so that tomorrow's leaders will benefit from our efforts today.”
“This award is unique in Dutchess County,” said Lisa Morris, Marketing Manager for the Pawling Corporation and Chair of the ATHENA Award Committee. “We’re searching for the best and brightest in business, education, and philanthropy who are bettering their communities while at the same time encouraging and mentoring leadership skills for women.”
The recipient of the ATHENA Award will receive a complimentary trip to the 2007 International ATHENA Leadership Conference, enabling her/him to network with other successful professionals. Nominations will be accepted until July 31, 2006, and forms may be may be downloaded at www.pokchamb.org or obtained by contacting the Chamber Foundation at 845-454-1700.
The ATHENA Award® Program is nationally underwritten by General Motors and National City Bank. Local sponsorship is provided by Poughkeepsie Chevrolet/Cadillac and HSBC Bank. Additional information on the ATHENA Award® Program may be found by visiting www.athenafoundation.org.
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City of Poughkeepsie High School Student Cleans Up at Golf Mentoring Day
Poughkeepsie High School student Kadie-Ann Powell was the winner of brand new Fuji mountain bike compliments of an anonymous donor at the Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of Commerce’s Golf Mentoring Day on April 26, 2007. Powell received the bike via a raffle at the event’s luncheon at the Vassar College Alumnae House in Poughkeepsie.
Now in its fifth year, the Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of Commerce’s Golf Mentoring Day was the brainchild of Poughkeepsie Chevrolet Cadillac’s Ray Wilkinson, who came up with the concept as a way to introduce inner city youth to the game of golf.
This year, 35 Poughkeepsie High School students were mentored by members of the local business community including Michael Barker, Red Cedar Arborists & Landscapers, Inc.; Frank Castella, Jr., Harmon & Castella Printing; Peter Ingellis, LCS Facility Maintenance; Mary Kay Vrba, Dutchess County Tourism; and Gaye Ryan, Adams Fairacre Farms. |
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Dutchess County Workforce Investment Boardmember Ray Wilkinson III Reaches Out to His Community
Ray Wilkinson, III, President, Poughkeepsie Chevrolet Cadillac joined the DCWIB in August 2004 and serves on the DCWIB Youth Council. When asked about investing in the community and the importance and value of the county’s diversity he had this to say:
As members of a culturally diverse group my wife Janee and I understand the value and importance of organizations and individuals who assist in youth development. As a small business owner in Dutchess County I have always practiced a philosophy of contributing to the community personally and monetarily. With three young boys under the age of ten and a thriving automotive dealership we have settled here and look forward to the future growth and changes of our region.
During our youth Janee and I were fortunate to be involved in organizations that provided opportunities to people of diverse groups normally not available. I received pre-collegiate courses through Washington University in St. Louis as part of a program called InRoads which assisted in my acceptance and graduation from the Wharton School of Business (Univ. of Penn). Janee was selected for a pre-law program through the University of Wisconsin (Madison) as a student of a culturally diverse group; this lead to her matriculation and graduation from the university.
Since our first year in business at Poughkeepsie Chevrolet-Cadillac we have looked for opportunities to initiate and support community development. We have collected coats, hats, and gloves for under-privileged children and adults in our community for National Make a Difference Day each year. Each year we have sponsored the Latino Festivals of the Hudson Valley as well as the annual Latin Gala. We organized an annual Golf Mentoring Event that partners high school students with business executives involved in careers which they aspire.
Individually, I have participated on the boards of the Poughkeepsie Area Chamber Of Commerce, the United Way of Dutchess, American Heart Association, Rehab Programs for People with Disabilities, Helen Hayes Hospital, and the Family Partnership Center.
Janee and I value our positions in Dutchess County and the opportunities this community affords us. As the growth of the many culturally diverse groups in our county continues we view it essential to provide an inviting business environment and keep our workforce diverse as well. |
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