Cox Automotive Presents Barbara Cox Automotive Woman of the Year Award
Linda Silverstein, Ford Motor Company general manager, recognized for industry leadership and community involvement; Northwood University student receives $10,000 scholarship
NEW ORLEANS, January 30, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Cox Automotive™ presented the 12th annual Barbara Cox Automotive Woman of the Year Award to Linda Silverstein, general manager, remarketing and rental operations, Ford Motor Company.
This honor is awarded to women who demonstrate business leadership and community advocacy, as well as a commitment to advancing the automotive industry. Cox Automotive President Sandy Schwartz presented the award during the Northwood University Dealer Education Award annual breakfast on January 28 at the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention and Expo.
“Linda is exactly the type of professional the automotive industry needs more of,” said Schwartz. “By sharing her experiences through mentoring, she is helping develop future leaders. This award is named after the late Barbara Cox, one of our owners and the mother of Jim Kennedy, our chairman. Linda shares many of the same qualities and all of the values that we admire in Mrs. Cox, including showing her appreciation for the positive influences in her life by giving back. I am honored to present this award to Linda on behalf of Cox Automotive.”
Silverstein has been responsible for Ford Motor Company vehicle remarketing since 2002, certified pre-owned since 2005 and rental operations since 2007. Silverstein joined the Ford Motor Company in 1982 as an analyst in Ford Division's Detroit District Sales Office and held various positions in the Detroit office over six years. After that, she held a variety of marketing and sales positions at Ford Division and Lincoln Mercury Division in Atlanta, Detroit and San Francisco. Silverstein was inducted into the National Auto Auction Association Hall of Fame in 2009. She was recognized as 2010 Consignor of the Year and was honored as a Warren Young Fellow.
“To be recognized for my participation in an industry that I love is quite an honor,” said Silverstein. “I often tell people that are just starting their careers that if they are passionate about what they do, they will never work a day in their life! I am passionate about the auto industry…it’s fast pace and the ever-changing nature of the business – coupled with great people – make it a fun and rewarding industry to be a part of.
“Cox Automotive’s genuine commitment to supporting woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry – both inside the company and in the industry at large – is very powerful. I am honored to be the recipient of The Barbara Cox Automotive Women of the Year award. I am thankful for all of my mentors along the way that gave me the advice and support to succeed in this great industry.”
Silverstein participated for many years in the Manheim Mentor Program that pairs female employees with mentors in the automotive industry. In addition to her dedication to the automotive industry, she is also a strong supporter of the Ford Motor Company fund raising efforts for JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research.
In addition to presenting the award to Silverstein, Cox Automotive presented a $10,000 Barbara Cox scholarship to Alesandra D’Agostino, a Northwood University junior studying Automotive Retail Management and Automotive Aftermarket Management. D’Agostino is not only a stellar student, but also the vice president of philanthropy for Delta Zeta and is active in her community by volunteering at Midland’s Open Door, crisis shelters and soup kitchen, and participating in Rake a Difference, benefiting seniors and individuals with disabilities.
About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive Inc. is transforming the way the world buys, sells and owns cars with industry-leading digital marketing, software, financial, wholesale and e-commerce solutions for consumers, dealers, manufacturers and the overall automotive ecosystem worldwide. Committed to open choice and dedicated to strong partnerships, the Cox Automotive family includes Autotrader®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, vAuto®, Xtime® and a host of other brands. The global company has nearly 30,000 team members in more than 200 locations and is partner to more than 40,000 auto dealers, as well as most major automobile manufacturers, while engaging U.S. consumer car buyers with the most recognized media brands in the industry. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Inc., an Atlanta-based company with revenues of $18 billion and approximately 55,000 employees. Cox Enterprises’ other major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications and Cox Media Group. For more information about Cox Automotive, visit www.coxautoinc.com.
