TIME MAGAZINE AND GOODYEAR HONOR WASHINGTON DEALER
Ed Rossi Wins National Recognition for Community Service
and Industry Accomplishments at NADA Convention
(Orlando, FL, February 13, 2010) – Ed Rossi, Dealer Principal of Rossi Chevrolet Buick
GMC, a Chevrolet, Buick and GMC dealership in Washington, New Jersey, was honored
today for his nomination for the 2010 TIME Magazine Dealer of the Year award.
Rossi was one of a select group of dealers from across the country honored at the 93rd
annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention & Exposition in
Orlando today. The announcement of this year’s Dealer of the Year and finalists was
made by Mark Ford, President and Group Publisher of TIME Magazine, and Johann
Finkelmeier, Vice President & General Manager – Original Equipment N.A. Consumer
Tire, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, at the formal opening of the convention,
which is attended by more than 25,000 individuals involved in the automobile industry.
The TIME Magazine Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most
prestigious and highly coveted awards for new-car dealers. Recipients are among the
nation’s most successful auto dealers, but they must also demonstrate a long-standing
commitment to effective community service.
Rossi, 55, was chosen to represent the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers in
the national competition–one of only 45 automobile dealers, from 17,000 nationwide,
nominated for the 41st annual award. The award is sponsored by TIME Magazine in
association with Goodyear, and in cooperation with NADA. A panel of faculty members
from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan selects one finalist from
each of the four NADA regions and one national Dealer of the Year.
“As a young boy, modes of transportation always fascinated me,” says Rossi. “While I
flew my first solo flight at age 16, cars were my passion. And the automobile business
has given me the opportunity to live the dream of competing on the racetrack.”
-moreRossi
graduated from Phillipsburg (NJ) Catholic High School in 1972, and then earned a
Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at Villanova University in
Pennsylvania, in 1976. While attending Villanova, Rossi began working for Tully
Chrysler Plymouth in Washington, NJ. “My father was a non-participating investor in
the dealership,” Rossi explains, “and, in 1974, the business began experiencing difficulty
and my father contacted me at school to ask if I had an interest in the automobile business
as a career.” Rossi was definitely interested, and his father lent his support. “During my
senior year, I came home on weekends to work at the dealership, and during the week
attended any available Chrysler training that my schedule allowed.”
In June 1976, after graduating from Villanova, Rossi began his career at Rossi Chrysler
Plymouth, in new- and used-car sales. Over the years, Rossi was joined in the business
by his wife, Patti Sue, and their son, Michael. Rossi became Dealer Principal of Rossi
Pontiac Buick GMC in 1982, and 10 years later the franchise became Rossi Chevrolet
Buick GMC.
Rossi has been active in community, civic and charitable affairs for more than 20 years,
including as a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Washington, a founding
member and board president of the Washington Business Improvement District, and a
member of the advisory board of Abilities of Northwest New Jersey, a non-profit that
trains and coaches individuals with disabilities to assist them with job placement. He’s
also chaired fund-raising efforts for the Domestic Abuse and Rape Crisis Center. In
1990, he sponsored a Gift of Life child through a Rotary Club initiative that aids children
from Third World countries who need heart surgery travel to the US for the operation and
then get care and housing from families or clubs. In 1989, he earned the Boy Scouts of
America Jenny Jump District Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award, and in 1997, he
was named Warren County Chamber of Commerce Business Man of Year.
“My involvement in the Washington BID has been very rewarding,” Rossi says, “Being a
part of the formation of the organization and having the opportunity to lead this unique
public-private partnership has been very rewarding to me personally and professionally.
I never felt comfortable in the political arena, and yet I had the desire to serve the
community.” Rossi explains that the BID has been responsible for savings of more than
$1 million for community taxpayers while drastically improving the appearance of the
downtown shopping area through streetscape, lighting and parking improvements.
Ed Rossi was nominated for the TIME Magazine Dealer of the Year award by James B.
Appleton, President of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers. Rossi has four
children, Heather, Michael, Daniel and Kyle.
