SAN FRANCISCO – Tamara Darvish, executive vice president of DARCARS Automotive Group in Washington, D.C., was honored with Manheim’s 7th annual Barbara Cox Anthony Automotive Woman of the Year Award. The award exemplifies the many contributions Darvish has made to the automotive industry and various charitable organizations. Manheim president and CEO Dean Eisner presented the award to Darvish at Northwood University’s annual breakfast, held this morning at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) convention in San Francisco.

Darvish began her automotive career in 1984 with DARCARS Automotive Group, her family’s business. Since then she’s held positions in nearly every department, including sales, service, accounting, finance and collision repair. In her current role, she is responsible for overseeing daily operations of all departments as well as building and maintaining vendor relationships. DARCARS Automotive Group now owns 35 franchises, ranking in the top 10 privately held Automotive groups in the country. They also operate the largest manufacturer franchised collision center in the country.

“Tamara is a shining example of an outstanding leader, role model and tireless advocate for our industry. 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,” said Eisner. “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.”

A common theme throughout Darvish’s career has been an endless enthusiasm for education and business leadership. She graduated from Northwood University and the NADA Dealer Candidate Academy; graduated from the University of Toyota’s Quality Financial Management and Quality Executive Management programs; and spent a year as part of Leadership Washington, during which 50 of the city’s leaders examine and resolve issues affecting the citizens of Washington, D.C.

“Being recognized by my peers with this award is both humbling and appreciated,” Darvish said. “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.”

Darvish has long been a tireless advocate for the automotive industry and the good works of industry professionals. She was elected chairman of the board for the Washington Area New Auto Dealers Association and was appointed chairman of the Industry Advisory Committee by the Mayor of Washington DC. Darvish frequently consults with Congress on retail automotive issues. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Toyota Dealer Advertising Association, and on the boards of Greater Washington Board of Trade and Loyola University. Other notable career and professional achievements include:

1. Time Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year Award – Regional Winner and Top 5 Nationally

   
   

2. Maryland International Business Leadership Award by World Trade Institute

   
   

3. NADA National Dealer Education Award for contribution in the community to local education systems

   
   

4. Chairman of the Washington Auto Show

   
   

5. Annual keynote speaker for ABC Television’s Working Woman of the Year Awards

   
   

6. Keynote addresses at Northwood University Auto Show, NADA Dealer Candidate Academy Graduation and the Newspaper Association of America Annual Conference

   
   

In addition to serving the automotive industry, Darvish has contributed to a host of charitable organizations, including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; the Parkinson’s Research Foundation – National Capital Area; Georgetown Hospital Pediatric Oncology and the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless.

Previous winners of Manheim’s Barbara Cox Anthony Automotive Woman of the Year Award include Lorraine Schultz, Women’s Automotive Association International’s founder and chief executive officer; Independent Dealership Owner Sandra Moss; Toyota executive Tracey Doi; Enterprise Rent-A-Car executive vice president and chief operating officer Pam Nicholson; Maguire Automotive Group president Marcy H. Maguire; and Columbus Fair Auto Auction owner Alexis Jacobs.

The annual award was created seven years ago to honor women who have been leaders in their profession and have contributed to improving the automotive industry. Anthony supported Manheim’s growth to become the leading provider of remarketing services in the automotive industry.

In conjunction with the award to Darvish, Manheim will make a scholarship contribution to a deserving junior or senior student at Northwood University.