Roger Penske to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is presented to those who have made meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the country, to world peace or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors, according to the White House.
Over 300 guests including 50 students, educators and volunteers gathered at the Westin Book Cadillac on May 14 for the SAE Foundation Annual Celebration. Since its inception in 1997, the event has raised over $6 million to support SAE International’s award-winning A World In Motion® (AWIM) program, Collegiate Design Series™(CDS), awards and scholarships. This year’s event raised just under $300,000 to support the mission of the SAE Foundation to increase student achievement and participation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
The festivities opened with a networking reception where guests were invited to experience the awe and wonder of personal discovery through the eyes of students participating in SAE AWIM programs. Students from Lawrence Technological University shared successes and lessons learned from the front lines of CDS events where teams design, build, test and compete their vehicle against other teams from around the world.
In the spirit of celebration, the event pays tribute to industry leaders whose benevolent spirit and remarkable accomplishments inspire us all. The Foundation presented the prestigious Industry Leadership Award to Roger Penske, Chairman, Penske Corporation recognizing his profound impact on the automotive industry and his philanthropic leadership in the renaissance and revitalization of Detroit.
Another highlight of the evening included a live interview with John McElroy, host of Autoline.tv, and Roger Penske. Watch below to hear to the interview with Roger on what keeps him motived and his thoughts on the industry’s move into autonomy, electrification and mobility services.
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Now in its fourth year, the annual Penske Elite Technician Program recognizes and rewards Penske Automotive Group’s top performing technicians for their outstanding credentials, skills and contributions. To be eligible, technicians must be nominated by management and meet specific program requirements. 132 Penske technicians including 14 finalists were designated as Elite Technicians for the 2019 program.
After meeting program requirements and advancing through a challenging technical exam, 14 technicians qualified to compete for top honors at the 2019 Penske Elite Tech Challenge in Mooresville, N.C., May 16-19.
| Brand | Finalist |
| Acura | Chauncey Harris |
| Audi | Phillip Daugherty |
| BMW | Kevin West |
| CarSense | Joshua Palazzi |
| Honda | Patrick Meyer |
| Hyundai | Robert Grant |
| Jaguar/Land Rover | Richard Jackson |
| Lexus | Steve Costa |
| Mercedes-Benz | Ron Miller |
| MINI | Mark Gracie |
| Porsche | William Bloom |
| Toyota | Jeff Herron |
| Ultra-Premium | Danny Ng |
| Volkswagen | Rene Campos |
During their stay in Mooresville, the 14 brand finalists enjoyed several fun activities and competitions including a pit stop demonstration at the Team Penske racing facility, go-kart racing, and a tour of the NASCAR Hall of Fame with a visit to Roger Penske’s new exhibit. All brand finalists were awarded a ticket to the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
As part of the Elite Tech Challenge, the 14 finalists completed a final timed exam during their visit to the UTI training center. Two days later, at the 2019 NASCAR Monster Energy All-Star race, Penske Automotive Group honored the technicians and celebrated the “2019 Penske Automotive Elite Technician of the Year,” Danny Ng from Ferrari Maserati of Central New Jersey, who was the top scorer on the exam. Along with top honors, Danny was awarded a premium prize package.
Thank you to all of our technicians who participated in the 2019 program and congratulations to Danny Ng, our Penske Elite Technician of the Year!
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Since 2015, Penske Automotive Group has proudly teamed up with Paralyzed Veterans of America’s Mission: ABLE campaign.
Paralyzed Veteran’s Mission: ABLE campaign encourages veterans and their families, corporate supporters, and friends of the organization to create an America where our most severely injured veterans have access to what they’ve earned and deserve: CARE, JOBS AND BENEFITS.
Your support is essential to the success of this campaign, and we ask you to join us in embracing our mission to serve those who have served. With one donation, you can support Paralyzed Veterans of America’s mission to create an America where our disabled heroes are provided the physical care needed to live a healthy life; receive the benefits they’ve earned through military service; and obtain job training and opportunities for new and fulfilling careers.
“Paralyzed Veterans of America’s work for veterans is admirable and important. It’s an honor for Penske to be a part of this fundraising effort. Through this great partnership, we can continue to change lives of our American heroes and remind citizens, communities and ourselves, that service really does matter.”
– Robert H. Kurnick Jr., Penske Automotive Group President
Ways to Donate
Paralyzed Veterans of America provides free programs and services to these veterans to help them live full and productive lives.
Since its inception in 2015, Penske Automotive Group’s Service Matters campaign has contributed more than $4 million to Paralyzed Veterans of America. Thank you for considering a donation and joining our commitment to serve those who have served. With your help, we can continue to change the lives of our American heroes.
Learn More and Spread the Word
To learn more about the Paralyzed Veterans of America, please contact a Penske Automotive Group dealership or visit www.pva.org/PAGServes. Don’t forget to share this page with a friend and show your support for the campaign by using the hashtag #PAGServes on social media.
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We are so ready for Spring to be here and we want you to be ready, too! Enter our Penske Automotive “Bring on Spring” Giveaway on our Instagram page and you could win:
Here’s how you enter to win (it’s easy!):
You have through March 29, 2019 to enter to win. We’ll announce the winner on our Instagram page on April 8th!
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WASHINGTON (Feb. 5, 2019) — Penske Automotive Group raised over $1 million dollars for Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) through its 2018 “Service Matters” campaign. Since the beginning of this partnership in 2015, Penske Automotive Group has raised more than $4 million to support PVA.
Throughout 2018, Penske Automotive Group’s dealerships encouraged customers to donate toward its “Service Matters” campaign. To maximize the donation, Penske Automotive Group matched each donation up to $500,000. All funds raised go toward supporting PVA’s programs and services, including: veterans’ benefits assistance; legislative and advocacy efforts; employment counseling; medical services and health policy guidance; investment in spinal cord injury and disease research and education; adaptive sports programs; and architectural support—all of which are provided free of charge to veterans and their families.
“Through our great partnership with Penske Automotive Group, we have been able to continue providing veterans with disabilities the programs and services they need to help them live full and productive lives,” said David Zurfluh, national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America. “We thank Penske Automotive Group for its enduring commitment to our nation’s veterans, and for the wonderful support of the company’s employees and customers, all of which helps veterans with disabilities access the care, jobs and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.”
With the huge success of the 2018 “Service Matters” campaign, raising a total of $1,063,877, Penske Automotive Group will continue its partnership with PVA for a fifth consecutive year.
“Penske Automotive Group was proud to team up with Paralyzed Veterans of America for this important fundraising campaign in 2018, and we look forward to partnering with the organization again in 2019,” said Robert H. Kurnick Jr., president of Penske Automotive Group. “We thank our employees and our customers for their continuous efforts to support our mission—to serve those who have served us—and for contributing to the life-changing work for veterans with disabilities carried out by Paralyzed Veterans of America.”
To learn more about the “Service Matters” campaign, please contact a Penske Automotive Group dealership or visit pva.org/PAGServes.
Click here to donate to Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Click here to read the full press release.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (February 1, 2019) – Recognizing the accomplishments of a man that has made an indelible impact on the sport for more than 55 years, Roger Penske was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Friday evening.
Penske was among five legends of stock car racing that were enshrined at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC, including former legendary drivers Jeff Gordon, Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison, along with fellow longtime team owner Jack Roush. The 2019 honorees represent the 10th class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
First competing in NASCAR as a driver in the early 60s before becoming a team owner and also a race track operator and promoter, Penske has one of the most unique and diverse legacies in the history of the sport.
The man affectionately known as “The Captain” won a NASCAR Pacific Coast race at Riverside in 1963 and that began a long and storied history of winning in stock car racing for Penske.
Through the 2018 season – the 52nd year of competition for Team Penske – Roger Penske’s teams have produced 182 victories in NASCAR’s two premiere series, including winning the Daytona 500 with Ryan Newman in 2008 and Joey Logano in 2015. Team Penske won its first Cup Series title in 2012 with Brad Keselowski and Logano is the reigning Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion after a dramatic run to the crown last season. Keselowski also won the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) title in 2010 and Team Penske has earned four NXS Owner championships in the last six seasons.
In addition to his accomplishments as a team owner, Penske and his organization served as one of NASCAR’s top track owners and race promoters for years at popular venues including Michigan International Speedway, California Speedway, North Carolina Speedway and Nazareth Speedway.
Penske reflected on his history in the sport during Friday night’s induction ceremony.
“This Hall of Fame honor and this moment is very special to me, and I am so glad to share it with my family and friends,” said Penske. “Racing has been a part of my life almost as long as I can remember. It is a common thread that is woven throughout all of our Penske business. Racing is simply who we are.”
NASCAR posted this video clip on their Facebook page from Roger Penske’s Hall of Fame speech:
As Team Penske prepares to defend it Cup Series crown in 2019, Penske was proud to be honored with four other NASCAR icons and take his place in the hallowed halls of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
This press release was originally published by Team Penske.
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Penske Automotive Group is proud to have female leaders at every level of the organization. From Service Advisors and Sales Managers to General Managers and Fixed Operations Directors, the retail automotive industry offers women an exciting place to forge a career. Beyond the numbers, this is about unleashing the power of our people and utilizing their unique talents, experiences, and backgrounds to create an engaging work environment and world-class operation. Over the past 4 weeks, we have been featuring female leaders from the Penske organization who are empowering women in the automotive industry and paving the road for the next generation of female leaders. From their earliest interest in the industry to their proudest moments, we’ve shared how these women got their start, who influenced them the most, and how they are helping change the face of the industry in positive ways. Here is our final Woman in the Driver’s Seat feature for 2018!
Featured Female Leader: Penny Boos – Customer Relations Director/Assistant Service Manager
“Sense of humor, multi-tasking skills and thick skin are a must.”
Penny Boos has worked in the automotive industry for 35 years and is a Customer Relations Director/Assistant Service Manager at a BMW dealership. When people ask what she does, she says, “What do you need.” One of Penny’s proudest professional achievements is the recognition her dealership has received for being a BMW Center of Excellence. When asked who has had the biggest influence on her career, three people come to mind: “My Mother for her work ethic and drive; Julia H the first female advisor/mentor I ever worked with; and Sissy Owens of BMW of North America, who wiped away my tears of frustration and then told me to get it together…it was a lasting impression.” Penny’s advice to woman considering a career in the auto industry: “You must have a sense of humor, hone your multi-tasking skills and don’t be offended by perception, words or sounds.” Penny’s favorite weekend activity is going to the dog park with her furry pal, Butters, he enjoys her company, doesn’t ask her to problem-solve and will eat anything she cooks.
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