Northwood University to honor Jim OêConnell, Jim Koons Automotive, with Dealer Education Award
As it has done for more than forty years, Northwood University will recognize auto dealers from across the U.S. and around the world at the NADA Convention in January with its Dealer Education Award. And of the half a dozen or so in Northwoodês spotlight this year will be Jim OêConnell, president of Jim Koons Automotive Companies. Mr. OêConnell was put forward for Northwoodês DEA by John OêDonnell of WANADA who nominated him earlier in the year, which Northwood accepted for its DEA presentation at the 2015 NADA Convention.
As president of Jim Koons Automotive, Mr. OêConnell has seen to it that the automotive professionals staffing the organizationês 17 dealership locations are fully schooled on state of the art product facts so the various vehicle brands that Jim Koons markets, sells, maintains and repairs are handled properly and efficiently. OEM recognition Jim Koons Automotive receives year over year is the illustrative that staff training and education accomplishes its objective.
Jim OêConnell has also seen to it that dealer departmental staff are fully up to speed on the regulations impacting workplace safety; privacy of customer information; and finance and insurance.
As an active member of WANADAês Board several years ago, Mr. OêConnell was involved in the establishment of the Auto Dealer Education Institute (ADEI), which subsequently has put into operation the eminently successful Auto Technician Development Program that home grows line technicians from a pool of young adults employed at WANADA dealerships and educated at Montgomery College, in Rockville and Marshall Academy, in Falls Church.
The Northwood University Breakfast, where Mr. OêConnell will be honored at the NADA Convention in San Francisco, will be held on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015. Many dealers from across the U.S. attend the breakfast at NADA being alums of Northwoodês longstanding Auto Dealer Executive Degree Program. Jim Koons himself is such a graduate.
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