Entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist Rahim Hassanally celebrates more than ten years with NAMAD and offers a closer look at the organization.
After more than ten years of NAMAD membership, Rahim Hassanally remains a leading advocate for the organization’s work and its place within America’s booming automotive industry. Presided over by Damon Lester since 2002, Hassanally shares a closer look at the nationwide network of automotive industry professionals.
“I first became involved with NAMAD more than a decade ago,” he explains, “and continue to champion the benefits of being a part of a nationwide network of professionals, each of whom is dedicated to diversity inclusion across every aspect of America’s automotive industry.”
Headquartered in Largo, Maryland, the National Association of Minority Auto Dealers was founded in 1980. “Growing membership, year on year, has allowed the organization to flourish,” says Hassanally.
NAMAD’s mission statement centers around its commitment to increasing opportunities for ethnic minorities in all aspects of the automotive industry, according to Hassanally. “NAMAD seeks,” he explains, “to ensure the presence of a representative and a meaningful number of minority entrepreneurs and employees in the retail sales, supplier, and service sectors, as well as among the manufacturing ranks.”
“The organization,” he continues, “is committed to working closely with nameplate manufacturers to achieve sound business arrangements intended to create reciprocal trading partnerships.”
Such partnerships have, according to NAMAD, uncovered not only new markets, but also new ideas, new talent, and new capital. “All of this is to the benefit of not just automobile manufacturers and entrepreneurs,” explains Hassanally, “but consumers, too.”
NAMAD membership is on an annual basis. The organization also hosts a popular annual conference. The 2019 NAMAD Annual Membership Meeting was held last month at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Designed in the 1950s, the buzzy, iconic hotel, situated on Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, is less than 12 miles from Miami International Airport, ideal for attendees flying in from across the U.S. for the conference.
Fontainebleau Miami Beach boasts a number of upscale dining options, including a steakhouse and an Italian eatery, a spa with ocean views, three elegant ballrooms, plus trendy bars and lively nightclubs.
A keen philanthropist, NAMAD member Rahim Hassanally has raised tens of thousands of dollars for charities such as Susan G. Komen in recent years. The automotive industry professional, entrepreneur and family man has also raised further funds for local, national, and international disaster relief efforts.
In addition to being a long-standing member of NAMAD, NADA Dealer Academy graduate Hassanally is also involved with the American International Automobile Dealers Association and is a Governor of California appointed Department of Motor Vehicles New Motor Vehicle Board member.
“I’m proud,” adds the entrepreneur, wrapping up, “to be in a position whereby I’m able to give something back to the industry and to support worthwhile nonprofit organizations and other good causes both locally and across the U.S. and overseas.”
