Senate Concurrent Resolution 501

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING PHILADELPHIA, MISSISSIPPI, AUTOMOBILE DEALER BILL GRIFFIS UPON HIS NOMINATION FOR THE PRESTIGIOUS 2022 TIME DEALER OF THE YEAR AWARD RECOGNIZING HIS COMMUNITY SERVICE AND INDUSTRY ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

WHEREAS, the nomination of Bill Griffis, owner of Griffis Motors Inc., a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram Dealership in Philadelphia, Mississippi, for the 2022 TIME Dealer of the Year award was announced on November 8, 2021, by TIME; and

WHEREAS, Griffis is one of a select group of 47 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 105th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas on March 11, 2022. The announcement of this year's annual award was made by Viktoria Degtar, Global Chief Revenue Officer, TIME, and Doug Timmerman, President of Dealer Financial Services, Ally Financial; and

WHEREAS, the TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry's most prestigious and highly coveted honors. Recipients are among the nation's most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Griffis was chosen to represent the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association in the National Competition - one of only 47 auto dealers nominated for the 53rd annual award from more than 16,000 nationwide; and

WHEREAS, a 1972 graduate of the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Griffis earned a B.B.A. in banking and finance. He spent 12 years working for banks in Mississippi before joining his mother, Jean, at her Ford Dealership in Philadelphia, where he established a F&I (Finance and Insurance) department and managed sales; and

WHEREAS, today, Griffis Motors is a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram Dealership, and the family business continues to thrive as Griffis' two sons, niece, adopted son and sister all work at the dealership. He is also proud of the high-performance team of employees he has assembled; and

WHEREAS, Griffis is an active member of the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association and has served in several leadership positions, including Chair in 2020, Vice Chair in 2019 and Secretary in 2018. Under his leadership, this organization sponsored a bill that was passed by both legislative houses and signed by the Governor to give Mississippi dealers the same warranty labor and parts reimbursement as 46 other states. This initiative has had a positive effect on every dealer in the state; and

WHEREAS, Griffis has also been productive in his community by supporting fundraising efforts and helping to continue quality education. His dealership has always been a substantial contributor to four local schools. They provide driver's education cars, help build new scoreboards for the sports teams, and sponsor every child who comes into the dealership. Over the last 30 years, the dealership has also given a $1,000.00 scholarship to every employee's child who graduated from high school and continued his or her education; and

WHEREAS, running a family owned business in a small market, Griffis is thankful for the opportunity to carry his mother's legacy forward and to be an important community partner. Griffis has stated: "My most rewarding experience has been the opportunity to see my children enter this business and excel in their respective areas of responsibility and in the community - from civic leaders to just great parents"; and

WHEREAS, dealers are nominated by the executives of state and metro dealer associations around the country. A panel of faculty members from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan will select one finalist from each of the four NADA regions and one National Dealer of the Year. Three finalists will receive an additional $5,000.00 for their favorite charities, and the winner will receive an additional $10,000.00 to give to charity, donated by Ally. In its eleventh year as exclusive sponsor, Ally also will recognize dealer nominees and their community efforts by contributing $1,000.00 to each nominee's 501(c)3 charity of choice. Nominees will also be recognized on AllyDealerHeroes.com, which highlights the philanthropic contributions and achievements of TIME Dealer of the Year nominees; and

WHEREAS, Griffis was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year Award by the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association, and it is with great pride that we join the automobile industry in recognizing this Mississippi businessman who has brought honor to his family, his business, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Philadelphia, Mississippi, Automobile Dealer Bill Griffis upon his nomination for the prestigious 2022 TIME Dealer of the Year Award recognizing his industry accomplishments and community service and extend to him and his family our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Bill Griffis, forwarded to the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.