Navarro Nominated for Time’s Dealer of the Year
SALEM, Ohio – Flor “Shorty” Navarro, owner of Stadium GM Superstore in Salem, has been named as one of the 47 nominees for the Time Dealer of the Year award.
Navarro, chosen to represent the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association, will be honored March 23 at the National Automobile Dealers Association’s expo in Las Vegas.
“The most rewarding aspect of my career has been building this business,” Navarro said in a release. “I had to beg and borrow and did a lot of it on a shoestring. But now I am able to build a legacy through giving back – and that’s very satisfying.”
To honor his nomination, award sponsor Ally Financial will donate $1,000 to a charity of Navarro’s choice.
Navarro graduated from East High School in Youngstown in 1959 and served six years in the United States Marine Corps. After returning in 1967, he opened Belmar Motors. Fifteen years later, he purchased a Lincoln Mercury dealership across the street from Stambaugh Stadium. He acquired his current dealership in 1988.
The car dealer is an avid supporter of Youngstown State University, donating $1 million to create scholarships — including $100,000 to benefit Hispanic students — and $100,000 for the construction of the Veterans Resource Center. He is a member of Rotary International, served on the boards of Hospice of the Valley and the local chapter of American Red Cross. Navarro is actively involved with Organization Civic y Cultura Hispana Americana.
“I am simply happy that I have been blessed in life,” he said. “I was able to build a successful business, and now I am able to give back to the community.”
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
