HR0945 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0945 LRB103 43289 LAW 76577 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Desmond A. Roberts on the occasion of his 25th anniversary as president of Advantage Dealer Group; and

WHEREAS, Desmond Roberts, a graduate of City University of New York, is a highly respected automotive industry leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for diversity with more than 30 years of experience; he began his career in the banking and finance industry before transitioning to the automotive sector; he entered the General Motors Minority Dealer Development Academy in 1986, which led to the purchase of his first dealership in 1989; he later sold that dealership, gaining invaluable experience under the mentorship of the late Bob Ross, before acquiring and expanding his dealership portfolio; and

WHEREAS, Desmond Roberts, as president of Advantage Dealer Group, oversees a portfolio of successful dealerships in the Chicago area, including Advantage Chevrolet of Hodgkins, Advantage Chevrolet of Bolingbrook, Advantage Chevrolet of Bridgeview, Advantage Toyota of River Oaks, and Advantage Acura of Naperville; since acquiring Advantage Chevrolet of Hodgkins in 1999, he has built a reputation for excellence in customer service, business growth, and community involvement, with his commitment to ethics in business practices earning Advantage Chevrolet of Bolingbrook the Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics from the Better Business Bureau in 2015; and

WHEREAS, Desmond Roberts, as an advocate for minority representation in the automotive industry, has dedicated much of his career to breaking down barriers for ethnic minority dealers through serving on several influential boards, including the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), where he was a member of its board of directors and represented dealers in Region III; he also held such leadership roles as past president of the General Motors Minority Dealers Association (GMMDA) and past chairman of the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD), advocating for a more inclusive and equitable industry; he was also the first minority member appointed to the Chicago Auto Trade Association (CATA), the nation's oldest and largest dealer organization; and

WHEREAS, Desmond Roberts is deeply committed to community service and believes in the importance of giving back; his dealerships have supported numerous local causes, including Fill the Van, a Christmas drive providing food and gifts to those in need; he also champions educational initiatives and youth development through his role as chief financial officer of the Make A Difference Youth Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping students prepare for higher education and successful careers; and

WHEREAS, Desmond Roberts' leadership, business acumen, and contributions to both the automotive industry and his community have earned him numerous accolades, including being recognized as one of the nation's top dealers, earning the Chevrolet Genuine Leadership Award, being named to Crain Communications' list of Chicago's largest minority-owned firms, receiving the Business Man of the Year award from the Village of Bolingbrook in 2009, and being a multiple recipient of the prestigious General Motors Dealer of the Year/Jack Smith Leadership Award, which recognizes top-tier dealers for leadership and performance; he has also been featured in a number of prominent publications, including Automotive News and Ebony magazine; and

WHEREAS, Desmond Roberts continues to steer his dealerships toward success while advocating for greater diversity in the automotive sector, a cause he champions through his active participation in national industry discussions and initiatives; his legacy as a trailblazer for minority dealers and his deep commitment to his community make him a respected leader and role model in the industry; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Desmond A. Roberts on his 25th anniversary as president of Advantage Dealer Group, and we wish him continued success in his professional endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Desmond Roberts as an expression of our esteem and respect.