Southaven Pays Tribute To GMMDA Board Member Henry Ware

General Motors Minority Dealers Association (GMMDA) Board Secretary, Henry Ware, was recently named 2002 Man of the Year by the Southaven Chamber of Commerce. He received the honor during Southaven Chambers annual awards banquet at the DeSoto Civic Center. Ware is the owner and president of Southaven Pontiac Buick GMC in Southaven, Mississippi.

SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN -- Wednesday, March 5, 2003 -- General Motors Minority Dealers Association (GMMDA) Board Secretary, Henry Ware, was recently named 2002 Man of the Year by the Southaven Chamber of Commerce. He received the honor during Southaven Chambers annual awards banquet at the DeSoto Civic Center. Ware is the owner and president of Southaven Pontiac Buick GMC in Southaven, Mississippi.

The award was presented by the 2001 Man of the Year, Tom Pittman. Hes a great guy," Pittman said in a recent interview with a DeSoto Times reporter. Henry revitalized a significant Southaven business and has become involved in all phases of life here. I have appreciated his contributions to the community."    

Ware took over the dealership in December of 1998. In 1999, sales increased by 86 percent. He was honored for his diligence and devotion to the DeSoto County community. In 2002, Ware served as the chairperson for the National Athena Foundation Amazing You" Womens Symposium, which recognizes leadership development and carries international recognition. He also chaired the DeSoto County Community Prayer breakfast last year.

Most recently, Mr. Ware was awarded the Business Man of the Year" honor by the National Republican Congressional Committee and received the coveted Peak Performance Award", presented by On-line Administrators and the GMMDA. He was recognized for outstanding sales performance above and beyond the industry standards. He competed with 260 other minority dealers to secure this years honor.

Ware was recently reelected to a two-year term as Secretary of the GMMDA and appointed to serve as the 1st Congressional District representative for the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission. He is also a member of the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers and serves on boards and committees for the Southaven Rotary Club, the DeSoto County Economic Development Council, Desoto County Prayer Council and the Southaven Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Ware has been in the automobile business for over 21 years and lives in Southaven with his wife, Cynthia, who is also a member of the General Motors Minority Dealers Spouses Association. They are the proud parents of two children.

The GMMDA is a non-profit organization that represents the interest of over 380 minority owned General Motors dealerships across the country. GMMDA members are from the African-American, Hispanic, Native American and Asian ethnic groups. 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.

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