Senate Concurrent Resolution 527

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING RIDGELAND, MISSISSIPPI, AUTOMOBILE DEALER TRUDY MOODY UPON HER NOMINATION FOR THE PRESTIGIOUS 2025 TIME DEALER OF THE YEAR AWARD RECOGNIZING HER COMMUNITY SERVICE AND INDUSTRY ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

WHEREAS, the nomination of Trudy Moody, Dealer Principal at Mercedes-Benz of Jackson in Ridgeland, Mississippi, for the 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year Award was announced on October 16, 2024, by TIME; and

WHEREAS, Trudy is one of a select group of 49 dealer nominees from across the country who were honored at the 108th Annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in New Orleans on January 25, 2025; and

WHEREAS, the TIME Dealer of the Year Award is among 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. Trudy was chosen to represent the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association in the National Competition, one of only 49 auto dealers nominated for the 56th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide; and

WHEREAS, Trudy started her automotive career as General Manager of Mercedes-Benz of Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1994; and

WHEREAS, Trudy became Dealer Principal of Mercedes-Benz of Jackson in 2001 when the family bought the dealership; and

WHEREAS, Trudy has played a major role in Mercedes-Benz of Collierville in Collierville, Tennessee, and Tidelands Ford in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, owned by the family-owned Higginbotham Automotives; and

WHEREAS, Trudy is an active member of the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association and has served in several leadership positions, including Chair in 2024, Vice Chair in 2023, and Secretary in 2022. Under her leadership, this organization has become one of the most powerful and influential lobbying groups in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Moody is focused on creating and fostering business opportunities in her region. She has served on The Mercedes-Benz Dealer Board after being elected by her peers; and

WHEREAS, Moody is proud to support a variety of fundraisers, school programs, and nonprofits. Her most significant partnership is with the Batson Children's Hospital at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, for which she is also a member of the Friends of Children's Hospital; and

WHEREAS, dealers are nominated by the executives of state and metro dealer associations around the country. Nominees were also recognized on AllyDealerHeroes.com, which highlights the philanthropic contributions and achievements of TIME Dealer of the Year nominees; and

WHEREAS, Moody 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 businesswoman who has brought honor to her family, her business, her 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 Ridgeland, Mississippi, Automobile Dealer Trudy Moody upon her nomination for the prestigious 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year Award recognizing her industry accomplishments and community service, and extend to her and her family our best wishes for future success.

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