GMMDA Member Lillie Biagas to Receive 2003 Woman of the Year Award

GMMDA member, Lillie Biagas, will receive the 2003 Woman of the Year Award from the Kappa Omega Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in recognition of her outstanding personal achievement. She will receive the award during the Finer Womanhood Awards Luncheon this Saturday at the Westover Country Club in Jeffersonville, Pennsylvania. Ms. Biagas is President of Fairway Automotive Group, Inc. in Jenkintown, Penn.

SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN -- Wednesday, March 19, 2003 -- General Motors Minority Dealers Association (GMMDA) member, Lillie B. Biagas, will receive the 2003 Woman of the Year Award from the Kappa Omega Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in recognition of her outstanding personal achievement. She will receive the award during the Finer Womanhood Awards Luncheon this Saturday at the Westover Country Club in Jeffersonville, Pennsylvania. Ms. Biagas is President of Fairway Automotive Group, Inc. in Jenkintown, Penn.

Every year since 1923, Zetas all over the world have annually devoted a special time to identifying and shining a light on women who have used their lives to leave an indelible impression on society. Lillies savvy business acumen combined with an unending zeal for excellence has placed her in a class all by herself," said Kappa Omega Zeta Chapter president Kimberly Smith-Tann. In the automotive industry and in her personal life she is a testament to being an extraordinary woman and we are proud to honor her as our Woman of the Year."

Biagas graduated from the National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) Academy and became President of Fairway Automotive Group in 2001. She assumed ownership of the dealership after the unexpected death of her husband, Edwin D. Biagas, Sr. in 2000.

In her short time as a dealer, Biagas has earned her reputation as a fearless and visionary businesswoman. She has received numerous awards and acknowledgements for her community involvement and success in the automotive industry. Most recently, she was honored by GM Minority Dealer Development for her involvement with the Womens Retail Initiative program -- a program designed to provide opportunities for women in the automotive industry. She also recently hosted the Just Ask A Woman" Automotive Clinic, sponsored by General Motors Corporation.

Biagas has been featured and quoted in several prominent national magazines including: GM Edge, Black Enterprise, and Wards Dealer Business. She has also been recognized for her positive impact on the Philadelphia business community by the Times Chronicle newspaper and RealPhilly magazine.

In addition to operating her dealership, Biagas is an active member of the GMMDA and is chairperson for the GMMDA Estate Planning and Succession Committee. Biagas is also the founder and president of the Edwin D. Biagas, Sr. Foundation, which provides educational scholarships for minority youth in the Philadelphia area.

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.

# # #