SAN FRANCISCO -

Manheim revealed the winner of its seventh annual Barbara Cox Anthony Automotive Woman of the Year Award on Sunday, and recognized this year was Tamara Darvish, executive vice president at DARCARS Automotive Group.

Darvish — who was given the award during the Northwood University annual breakfast at the National Automobile Dealer Association’s convention currently ongoing in San Francisco — was lauded for her commitment to the industry and the community.

“Tamara is a shining example of an outstanding leader, role model and tireless advocate for our industry,” shared Manheim chief executive officer Dean Eisner, who gave Darvish the award. “We are extremely proud to recognize Tamara’s commitment to her profession, her colleagues and her community with Manheim’s annual Woman of the Year award.

“Tamara’s passion for representing industry concerns, her dedication to lifelong learning and commitment to giving back to her community are qualities to be admired; we can all learn and be inspired by her many accomplishments,” he continued.

Sharing a few details about Darvish’s career, officials noted that she has been in the auto field since 1984, when she started working for her family’s business (DARCARS). Throughout the years, Darvish has worked in a slew of departments at DARCARS, which is based in Washington, D.C. Her roles have been in such areas as sales, service, accounting, finance and collision repair.

As executive vice president, Darvish heads up the daily operations for all departments at DARCARS and also is in charge of maintaining and building the relationships the auto group has with its vendors.

Looking at some other leadership endeavors Darvish has undertaken in her career, she graduated from Northwood University, the NADA Dealer Candidate Academy and the University of Toyota’s Quality Financial Management and Quality Executive Management programs.

Outside of the auto sector, Darvish participated in Leadership Washington for a year. In that program, 50 D.C. leaders tackle issues experienced by the city’s residents.

Darvish’s experience includes service for a variety of industry and non-industry boards and associations.

She has given back to several charities, including Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Parkinson’s Research Foundation (National Capital Area), Georgetown Hospital Pediatric Oncology and the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless.

She has received several other awards and garnered other professional achievements, including the following, as listed by Manheim:

—Time Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year Award: Regional Winner and top five nationally.
—Maryland International Business Leadership Award by World Trade Institute.
—NADA National Dealer Education Award for contribution in the community to local education systems.
—Chairman of the Washington Auto Show.
—Annual keynote speaker for ABC Television’s Working Woman of the Year Awards.
—Keynote addresses at Northwood University Auto Show, NADA Dealer Candidate Academy Graduation and the Newspaper Association of America Annual Conference.
“Being recognized by my peers with this award is both humbling and appreciated,” stated Darvish. “I have the pleasure of working with countless colleagues who love the automotive industry just as much as I do, and who give their time and resources to improve their communities.
 
"I’m proud to be part of such a dedicated group of people," she concluded.