The National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers, NAMAD, presented Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group, with its Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes a lifetime of significant contributions to the automotive industry and to the spirit of diversity and inclusion.

“As a female in the auto industry, I strive to be a role model for all women, where the only barriers to a career are the ones you place on yourself. Regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity or religion, you can sell cars if you have a positive attitude, education, confidence and perseverance,” Case said. “According to Zippia, only 4.3% of mechanics in the U.S. are women and 11% of car salespeople are women, so we have a long way to go to shatter the glass ceiling. I’d love to see more women in all positions in our dealerships and I strive to create such opportunities.”

This year Case also received the 55th Annual TIME Dealer of the Year Award, one of the automotive industry’s most prestigious and highest honors for a dealer. Awarded annually since 1970, the TIME Dealer of the Year Award, in partnership with Ally and National Automobile Dealers Association, recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Nominated by members of the Automotive Trade Association Executives, Case represented the Florida Automobile Dealers Association as the Florida Dealer of the Year. Case and 49 other dealers from around the U.S. were nominated from more than 16,000 dealerships. Case is only the fifth woman to be named TIME Dealer of the Year. In addition, she was recognized as a 2024 AutoSuccess Women at the Wheel Award recipient, which celebrates exceptional women in the automotive industry. 

As president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group, she runs what is now the largest female-owned and operated independent automotive dealer group in America. The company has 12 dealerships throughout South Florida and Atlanta.

"Rita's NAMAD lifetime achievement award is a testament to a legacy of perseverance, passion and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” said NAMAD President Perry Watson IV.

A 2022 Horatio Alger Award recipient, Case sits on the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Miami Branch Board of Directors; the Horatio Alger Association, Nova Southeastern University and Broward Workshop board; served on the Boys & Girls Club of Broward County board for more than 35 years; and has been involved with the Community Foundation of Broward since 2002, serving as a board member and on the strategic planning committee.

Together, Rita and Rick created, developed and led fundraising initiatives that raised more than $120 million for organizations in South Florida, a legacy that continues today. In 1982, the Cases launched Rick Case Bikes for Kids, which has since distributed more than 120,000 new and gently used bicycles to children in need during the holidays. In 2015, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Broward, Rita launched the establishment of A Rick Case Habitat Community of affordable homes.