ATLANTA -

Helping to build the Cox Automotive portfolio by nurturing organic growth at Autotrader and Manheim is just one of Cox Automotive president Sandy Schwartz’s accomplishments over his three-decade career with the company.

Schwartz has been a key member of the leadership team at Cox Media Group and Cox Automotive, helping to grow the company to $20 billion revenue and 60,000 employees. 

Recognizing that and other achievements, the Northwood University board of trustees has named Schwartz a 2019 Outstanding Business Leader honoree.

Northwood University said in a news release that it selects honorees based on personal achievement and that each winner personifies the philosophy of Northwood University.

“Since first vested in 1981, the (Outstanding Business Leader) Award has gone to some of the most extraordinary leaders in enterprise in whose company and association we believe you belong,” Northwood University president and chief executive officer Keith Pretty wrote in a statement congratulating Schwartz on the honor.

In selecting the honorees, Northwood University uses criteria such as contribution to the philosophy of private enterprise, support of the integration of business and the arts, contribution to education, economic innovation, creative marketing ideas, community involvement, religious leadership, philanthropic contributions and business success.

In helping build the Cox Automotive portfolio Schwartz integrated software start-ups such as vAuto and Xtime and helped lead the $4 billion acquisition of Dealertrack and Dealer.com.

Cox Automotive added in a news release that Schwartz has also fostered a family-first ethic and an “open, honest and direct culture” at the company.  

Schwartz has also led community service initiatives for entities such as the A.C. Green Youth Foundation and the American Red Cross of Metropolitan Atlanta.  The Northwood website section promoting the event describes Schwartz “as a self-described ‘car guy’ whose garage houses an EV and an American muscle classic. He’s right at home with the breadth of Cox Automotive’s reach in the auto industry—from in-lane auctions to online vehicle listings to open platform dealership software.”

Northwood will honor Schwartz and six other leaders at its Outstanding Business Leader awards event on Saturday. More than 200 people, including past honorees, board members, Northwood students and family members and friends of Northwood are expected to attend. 

Arthur E. Turner, co-founder of Northwood University conceived the award program, which recognizes leaders in the American free-enterprise system.