ALEXANDRIA, Va. -

The American International Automobile Dealers Association is calling for nominations for its annual award that spotlights a member of the industry whose work ethic and dedication to family and community are exceptional.

AIADA is now accepting entries for the David F. Mungenast Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be given out at the association’s Annual Meeting and Luncheon on Feb. 6 in Las Vegas. The namesake of the award, of course, is the late founder of the Mungenast Automotive Family and former AIADA chairman.

“I met David Mungenast in 1977, when the first Honda Twenty Group was formed. I believe I knew David very well, and I cannot think of another individual whose name should be synonymous with this award,” AIADA chairman Jim Smail said.

“David and I shared many great times and many conversations about our businesses, about our industry and even about our families. His priorities were always in order, and dealers today would do well to follow in his footsteps,” Smail continued.

Smail went on to note that the Mungenast business grew from a single Honda motorcycle shop that opened in 1965 to a group of dealerships that now includes a slew of brands.

“Despite his success, he never forgot his community and always made a point of giving back,” he said.

Smail went on to note that the Dave Mungenast Automotive Family donates a portion of its profits to the Dave and Barbara Mungenast Foundation.

The foundation offers help to such causes as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Boys’ Club of St. Louis and the St. Louis Food Bank.

“Dave’s life and legacy set the bar high for international nameplate dealers, and those like him deserve to be honored,” Smail said. “If you know someone in the international auto industry like Dave Mungenast Sr., we want to know!”